Norge Burpalator Agitator Question

[bobbyderegis]

Hi All!
I got a nice used agitator to replace the cracked one in the Norge. There is a ton of visible lint crud around the holes in the base of the agitator. I picked most of it out that I could get to, but if you hold the agitator up to the light there is still tons more inside. The base is fused, so it can't be separated. Any suggestions for getting the crud out of there?
Bobby in Boston

 

[mrb627]

FPS

Foaming pipe snake maybe?

http://www.liquidplumr.com/products/snake.html

 

[bobbyderegis]

What's foaming pipe snake?
Bobby in Boston

 

[mrb627]

Follow the link please....

The link explains it all. However, I wouldn't use an entire bottle in one shot.

Malcolm

View attachment mrb627++11-17-2009-06-56-26.jpg

 

[bobbyderegis]

Malcolm:
Sorry, didn't see the link. Many thanks! My concern would be harming the plastic. I could try it on the cracked agitator and see if it damages the plastic. Now the question is how to get the old agitator off the shaft. It is frozen solid. I will probably cut it since the agitator is junk anyway.
Bobby in Boston

 

[gyrafoam]

It is likely safe on plastic as so many people use it with modern plastic/PVC pipes. I am curious to see if it would dissolve cloth fibers. Perhaps cotton, but what about Nylon? One would think a Norge agitator would have mostly cotton fibers stuck in it.

The most powerful of all Drainos is the granular type. Wicked stuff.
It might dissolve cotton fiber, but I don't know how you could possibly dispense it throughout the application.Too much area to cover.

 

[bobbyderegis]

I wish you could see the gunk I already pulled out of there. Lots of string pieces, a shoestring size piece of an elastic band, and hair galore. There is still a ton stuck where the base curves to go up into the vertical part. I had no idea these filter systems were so effective.
Bobby in Boston

 

[mickeyd]

I had no idea these filter systems were so effective.

There's a lot of physics and hydrodynamics going on there: large holes, strong upward thrust of water, powerful oscillations--and, Hey!-- it's a Norge, Baby!

Have had a lot of luck with a gallon of white vinegar and a gallon of water heated for other problems, but it's worth a try. If you have the extra-low water level available, heat up some vinegar and water, and let her agitate and/or if you can't or don't have enough solution to achieve agitation, let the drain hose squirt the solution into the holes. With relative ease, you can hold the rim of the tub to keep it from spinning. On second thought, the drain method probably won't be so effective, but the agitation with scalding vinegar and water is worth a try. I was able to loosen a stuck spindrier in an Easy after dozens of failures; nothing else worked except the hot vinegar, etc. Hope it helps.

 

[mrb627]

Compressed Air

I wonder if you could take it to a local gas station or tire shop and ask them to blow it back with compressed air?

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

OR Carwash

Or take it down to the local diy carwash and aim the wand down the shaft!

( Okay you sick-o's! Get it out of the gutter! )

Malcolm

 

[bobbyderegis]

HAHAHA!
I bet a pipe cleaner would do the trick, but I can't come up with one that is that flexible. The gunk is pretty stuck in there, I don't know if air would blow it out.
Bobby in Boston

 

[launderess]

Roughly two parts baking soda to white vinegar will produce a foaming action that cleans quite well. Use the formula for cleaing washing machines and dishwashers when out of the packaged stuff.

 

[bobbyderegis]

I like the vinegar trick. I have used it in many washers and dishwashers with great results. I can try a gallon of white vinegar and a large box of baking soda. It couldn't hurt to descale the machine, anyway. Thank you Mickey, Malcolm, and Launderess! Here is said agitator:
Bobby in Boston

 

[bobbyderegis]

One can see the krud when held up to the light:

 

[bobbyderegis]

Cracked agitator to be replaced and frozen on the shaft:

 

[bobbyderegis]

The Norgebeast herself, awaiting restoration: