Kirby G5 Issue

[mattl]

Wanted to post this over in the Vac forum, but my login is not working.   Anyway took down one of my trees tonight went to vac up the needle drop, and found my G5 was not picking them up.  Went and grabbed my G3 from the second floor and it did the job fine.

 

Started investigating and found no suction.  The bag was not filling with air.  Put the hoe on, mild suction, took the bag off and pointed the vac out the exterior door and powered in, nothing out of the hose that connects to the bag.  it's a pretty straight shot from the fan to the bag, blades on the fan look fine, only use it on carpet so I can't imagine anything damaging the fan.  It's just weird - any ideas?

 

[pulltostart]

How about the belt?

 

lawrence

 

[iheartmaytag]

Did you check the full tube. The tube from the emptor to the bag is a common area for a blockage.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Saw a kirby G at my current fav. thrift shop today. $10 is what they were asking.

 

[rp2813]

Ditto

Lawrence, we had a G4 for many years.  The belt is disengaged when attachments are being used.

 

This does seem like a hose blockage. 

 

Matt, is the motor whine higher pitched on the G4 than the G3?  That would indicate a blockage, I think.

 

[mattl]

Well got it figured out, thanks for the input, but my response got eaten hence the post to Robert..

 

Yes, it was whatever the "emptor" is called now. On the old units I'd just twist it off and empty the bag and give it a good shake outdoors.  Was not aware that the newer models could be twisted off.   When I did that I found much junk, stuff I had not seen for years.  Pulled the G3 apart and found screws, coins and nails, I used it on a house remodel years ago.  Cleaned it out and all is well, suction on both rivals my shop vac.

 

Back story, got the G3 for $10 a few years ago at GW, it's not very pretty looking but works well.  Looks like it was left outside or something, metal is very dull, tried to polish it a few times but nothing made much difference.  Need to find something to really buff it out.

 

Now The G5 is another story.  Got it too at GW but it came with every attachment made.  Also has the video on how to use it.   Plus, the folks that donated it must have been aware of Kirby's renew option because they included the original receipt.  Must have belonged to someone's mother who died as it was in immaculate condition.  Guess no one in the family wanted it.  Best $40 I spent.  It does have one issue, the power drive is not as aggressive as the G3, not sure what the issue is or how to remedy it.

 

Had many vacs over the years but feel none come close the the Kirbys.  Actually have a small collection other than the G3 and G5 I have 3 other older models with cloth bags I rarely use.  Not sure if I still have the first one my folks bought back in '63, had all kinds of attachment too, even the power cable with a buffing disk that doubled as a sander. And if I recall it even had a knife sharpener.  Might be tucked in one of the attics.

 

[askolover]

Love my Kirby Tradition and G5

 

[dermacie]

If it didn't have suction with the hose then it cannot be the belt. I can't imagine that the fill hose would be blocked that would be nearly impossible on a Kirby, but it is the most logical place to look.

 

[sfh074]

My first girlfriend .....

had an older canister Kenmore vacuum. She complained one day it stopped working. When I looked at it to see what the problem was, the bag was completely filled AND half the hose! I couldn't say she DIDN'T vacuum the house! ...... lol

 

[mattl]

Funny.

 

I did solve the issue, it was a blockage in the emptor that I wasn't aware could be removed with a twist.