How to remove cover on Kenmore canister vacuum model 116 in order to change belt?

SOURCE: Belt broken a a Kenmore

Greetings from GoVacuum.com,

To properly fix a belt on a Kenmore vacuum, you will first need to indicate whether this is an upright or a canister vacuum. The model given, 116, is only the first part of the model number, and all Kenmore vacuums, upright and canister style, start with 116. There is a period first, then a whole string of numbers, 116.255553 etc.

Kenmore vacuums are mainly made by Panasonic for Sears, and most will use a Panasonic belt. If the belt is an upright, this makes it simple, and will be a Panasonic "UB" belt.

For a canister vacuum, most models use what's referred to as a cogged belt. This type of belt has little teeth on the inside of the belt, and is Panasonic CB-5 belt.

Instructions on How to Replace the Belt for an Upright;
There will usually be to plastic screws on the top of the agitator housing on the base of the vacuum, that will say belt access. Simply take a flat head screw driver, and turn the screws so that the screw is pointing up and down on both sides. Then pull the plastic agitator housing, or the top of the base of the vacuum off. Inside you will see a the roller brush, and the belt (or broken belt). Simply take the new belt and wrap it around the silver pulley located in the back of the machine, opposite the roller brush, and wrap the other end of the belt through the roller brush. Stretch the roller brush back into the housing of the machine, and replace the top of the base of the vacuum back on the machine. You should give the belt a tug, to ensure that the brush is spinning when the belt is being pulled.

Feel free to email me if you have any further questions, I'd be happy to walk you through it, or even shoot an instructional video to show you how you to replace it. My email is chris.jones at govacuum . com.

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com
[email protected]

SOURCE: Kenmore vacuum manuals

I tried what reddevil6 suggested and was not able to get Sears to produce a manual. I would prefer an online manual but at this point I'm desperate enough to try anything.

SOURCE: Removing kenmore vacuum Canister motor cover model 116-27312790

What you need to do is take it apart and look for any carpet peices dug up in there preventing the motor to spin. Also go look for another filter for it and if you google it you can probably get instructions or if you still have the book.

SOURCE: Kenmore Progressive Canister Vacuum -Model 116 22812200.

hello... you might want to try checking the elbow or neck of the power nozzle for blockage. Remove the wand from the head and look through it. Also look through the wands . If there is no blockage, maybe there is a problem with you nozzle. Reattach all the parts and turn on the machine, turn on the power nozzle. Can you hear the other motor start? If so, check to see if the belt is turning. If it is not, and you definitely hear the secondary motor, then you need a belt. If it doesn't make any sound then, with the machine still running, press the button on the upper part of the power nozzle, this should reset your motor. I hope these tips helped ya, let me know, by giving feedback when asked. thank you, Rene (The Vacuum Doctor)

SOURCE: my kenmore beltless upright canister vaccuum doesn't spin anymore

Ensure the agitator is not bound up and can be moved manually by hand in both directions. Clean any string or binding material if you find it. Press the reset button on the top of the chassis. If it clicks, then you should try turning it on and see if the agitator spins. If it doesn't spin, I have had luck giving a sharp kick to the top of the chassis.