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Author Topic: Very poor suction through tube  (Read 13939 times)

Offline nickc

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Very poor suction through tube
« on: December 06, 2012, 06:13:28 pm »
Hi, I've read all the other posts on this topic and learnt quite a bit, but not yet fixed the problem. The suction through the tube on my swivelling-sole-plate DC01 is barely detectable, such that one would expect a significant blockage or leak, yet I've stripped it right down and can find nothing amiss. All the vacuum channels, tube and wand are clear of debris and the rubber seals all seem good. The main head with roller picks up fine now, though that was also problematic before I stripped and cleaned. I haven't tried dismantling the cyclone itself, as I read that it is glued and not designed for dismantling, so I thought it best to seek advice first as to whether there could be a problem with the cyclone causing this. I have noticed that the dirt doesn't swirl round the collection bin as it used to, but it is certainly collecting well from the head and roller. When running the machine without the collection bin in place, suction is very strong at the tip of the central yellow nozzle of the cyclone. The other thing that puzzles me is that with the machine running and the wand in place (also with it withdrawn), there feels to be very little suction behind the twin rubber flaps/valves near the base of the tube. It was this that led me to strip it right down, expecting to find a blockage in the channels that run vertically up the back of the machine, but they are clear. I'm mystified as to why the suction is not getting through and would appreciate any advice.

Further potentially relevant info:
The tube is in excellent condition, having been replaced some years back by the firm who sold us the machine new.
The wand is very new and not a Dyson original part but appears identical to the original (we bought it online).
The rubber seal (black, not white) is in place at the socket where the tube base inserts.
I've replaced for good measure the twin rubber flaps/valve near the base of the tube with the ones you've just supplied.

One further thought: it's an old machine and has had its fair share of knocks and collisions, so the 'bodywork' is no longer 100%. I'm pretty sure the damage is only cosmetic (eg plastic arch over one of the wheels, broken strut on the cradle of the base-plate) but I wonder if it's possible something has fractured internally, which I didn't notice when I stripped it down. If this is possible, where should I double-check?

Offline MVacs

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2012, 05:48:44 pm »
Is the bin insert still in the cyclone bin?


Offline nickc

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2012, 08:01:08 pm »
Thanks for responding.Yes, the insert is still in the bin. There's an accumulation of dirt round the bottom of the 'V' it forms with the side of the bin, which is difficult to remove, but it's been like that for a long time, long before we lost suction in the tube.

Offline MVacs

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2012, 01:00:46 pm »
Have you checked the condition of this seal?


Offline aceone

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2012, 08:12:28 pm »
Hi i assume youve checked for any splits in the extending hose?

Offline nickc

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2012, 02:25:59 pm »
Hi, yes, have just checked again and that seal looks good, just like the one in the photo you kindly posted. I've checked the extending tube very carefully too, and no sign of any splits. I'm mystified!

One thing that would help would be a diagram/schematic of the complete airflow of this model, so I can be absolutely sure I've checked every relevant area. Does such a diagram exist?

I'm assuming from the lack of comment that there's little point in dismantling the cyclone itself?

Offline MVacs

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2012, 07:08:49 pm »
If the machine is picking up well enough from the floor, the cyclone must be OK. A visual check should reveal if it is significantly blocked.

The problem will likely be something very simple. We are just having difficulty fathoming out exactly what it might be at a distance on this occasion. If the machine were in our shop, it would be fixed in a heartbeat.

There is no airflow schematic as such that I know of. We could make one, but it might take us a week or so because we are rather busy right now. I'll do one if you think it might help?

Offline nickc

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2012, 08:07:08 pm »
Thanks. If I was anywhere near Manchester, the machine would be in your shop in a heartbeat, I can assure you! Unfortunately I'm down in Ilfracombe, in North Devon. I agree it's probably a very simple thing, so an airflow schematic certainly would be a help, and once done of course it would always be there for future reference. But I'm reluctant to ask you to take the trouble to create one from scratch at such a busy time.

Offline nickc

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2012, 12:12:48 pm »
I've just stripped it down again, taking some pictures as I did. Possibly these might help someone identify the problem. Not brilliant quality as using flash lost detail due to glare and turning it off lost detail due to camera shake, so they're a mix! Let me know if it would help to try any of them again, from different angles, etc.

Offline nickc

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2012, 12:15:57 pm »
And here's the rest of them.

Offline MVacs

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2012, 07:32:37 pm »
I shall have our chap pore over those Thursday (we are closed Wednesdays).

Failing which, we'll knock up an airflow schematic - as you say, it will help others so will be a worthy investment of time.

Offline malzstx

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2013, 05:35:12 pm »
Hi there! when you solve the problem, let me know please as I have the same problem with my DC 01.Stripped it right down this afternoon and re-built it with no improvement. Thanks Malcolm.

Offline nickc

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2013, 05:57:28 pm »
Hi,   It's gone quiet since I posted the pics, probably due to the Christmas period, or maybe the chap at Manchester Vacs couldn't see anything to go on in the pics. I've not chased it as I'm living abroad at the moment and the Dyson's in the UK! I was going to follow up when I'm back. But in the meantime if you have any luck, please post.

Offline malzstx

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Re: Very poor suction through tube
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2013, 06:09:17 pm »
Thanks for the early reply.......if I solve the problem, I'll post it! It has to be something simple as I could not see any obvious cause. Thanks, Malcolm.

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