Need to change the belt on my kirby model 519, assuming this is the problem since the beater bar is not turning and I can smell burning rubber

Martinsivyer:

Turn the machine upside-down and see if you can turn the beater/brush bar with your hand. You should see the brush turning and feel the resistance from the motor. The brush/beater bar may be binding, and what you are smelling is the motor shaft spinning against the rubber belt. You can remove the base plate and check the brush/beater bar with the belt disconnected. If the brush/beater bar is difficult to turn, you need to remove the brush/beater bar and clean the bearings at each end, Remove any threads that are wound around the beater bar ends so that the bearings roll easily and smoothly. Check to see that your machine is not set too low for the surface that you are bacuuming. While you have the belt disconnected, check thi inside surface to see if the motor shaft has been spinning against the belt, you'll see the damage to the inside circumfrence of the belt.

Change the belt, they stretch after while. If it made a burnt rubber smell or it's > 1 year old this is probably your problem.


Here's what you need:
http://www.vacuummedic.com/product.php?id=279


Good Luck!
Vac Dr.

If it smells like rubber you have a broken or stretched belt. You should be able to purchase a belt at any vacuum store. Chris

You must take of the plastic ends from the wood beater bar and make sure the metal axels are not wound up with hair. I did this monthly with 4daughters

I am unfamiliar with this make and model, but assuming it is an upright vacuum cleaner type design, something must be stopping the brush/beater bar from rotating. When it is then switched on, this immeadiately places a huge strain on the belt which then snaps (quite often accompanied by a burning rubber smell)

If you still have the user manual, this should show you how to remove the bar, clean it and check for any foreign objects preventing the bar from turning. If not, beater bar removal isnt normally too difficult to work out.

Hope that helps.

it sounds like the belt may be burning like the roller bar is stuck maybe or the belt is stretched and is burning itself off

http://www.geeksquad.fixya.com/ThreadView.aspx?prdid=0&thid=542493
Generic problem for all Vacuums
The vacuum turns on but
Posted by mmetcalf on Apr 24, 2008
the vacuum turns on but wont run smells like burning rubber I took the bottom off and the belts don’t appear to be broken but the one connected to beater bar seems like it may be loose

Hello,
I would advise you to ALWAYS to FIRST UNPLUG YOUR VACUUM before beginning any service procedure.
In answer to your question, the reason it smells like burning rubber is because the belt is too loose and it is burning the inside of the belt because it is to loose, the average belt change for a Kirby vacuum is every 4 to 6 months, the tighter the belt the better the cleaning and always use the genuine Kirby belts because they are designed to work with the Kirby, there are replacement belts that will work and are less but they are made to the correct size but Kirby vacuums always s work better with genuine parts. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer in your area or in the yellow pages, or contact the factory phone number or website to further assist you with your questions.
http://kirby.com Contact Us by Phone
United States and Canada 1-800-494-8586
Between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST
Monday thru Friday
www.A-1Vacuum.com 1-800-657-1874 If you cannot find a local dealer near you they can ship you the parts UPS.
Thanks, Don – The Vac Man
Go Ahead. Use Us.

Recently received a kirby from mother in law and don't how to change the belts

the beater bar probably needs to be removed & cleaned. the shaft & bearings get bound up with hair, string, etc.. with the belt off the bar, it should spin fairly easily. if it's hard to turn,(belt off) then it's bound up.