single woman here, my vacuum is starting to smell like rubber in burning. I took off the bottom plate and the belt looks good, not chopped up at all. While turned on I felt the brushes and it almost ripped my hand off. It is not picking up cat hair and strings that are on the floor. Yes the bag is empty. Anything else I can look for?
Look on the bottom and should be a plate you remove to change/replace the belt (only a couple screws you can do it) there is probably something caught under it blocking the suction.
the reason your smelling rubber is because the belt is stretched or the pickup is under resistance (not turning).
if your vacuum is falling apart then maybe its to retire it
if it is one of the combination vacuums that can be used as a upright or as a hose check to see if the hose is plugged up that is what it sounds like is your problem to me
buy a new one… go to t.j hughs in lichfield staffordshire england….they’ve got a fantastic sale.. hurry.. bye bye
Look under the belt for hair and carpet strings wound around the little metal thing the belt goes on. Also look on the brush itself.
I think it’s time to retire it.
**Reccomendation** Dysons. They may bit that bit more expensive, but they do the job that they’re there for and are reliable. Also when they break down, you can get them refurbished. Half the price of a new one and they come back as good as new!
Run the vacume until you start to smell rubber,then shut it off and flip your machine over and feel the belt. If it feels hot it means that the belt is slipping because of friction. If it does feel hot there may be hair or string wound around the beater bar, the cylindrical thing with brushes on it that sweeps the carpet. If you don’t see anything remove the belt and see if the beater bar spins freely without alot of drag. It should rotate freely. If not replace beater bar. Hope this helps……
just to be sure, change the belt. Then, take to a vac shop and ask the guy to check for clogs. The belt might work. but the clog is most likely it. I am a vacuum collector so i am sure it is one of those