when i turn on the vacuum,about 5 mins after it starts to smoke a little.whats wrong? nothing is blocked.

liz hands, September 2008

May well be the motor on the way out. It does work pretty hard.

Take off the post-motor filter (Clip-on cover underneath the dust bin). The filter should be loght coloured. If it's heavily blackened and/or distorted, that's a good clue.

The bad news is that a new motor and a new post-motor filter would set you back about £60, by the time you include VAT and shipping, even off t'Internet.

The good news is that Dyson offer a fixed-price, at-home service for £65, including any necassary parts.

The motor in my machine failed in early '08.

I found the Dyson service deal on the website, filled in the form on the support page on the Thursday evening, had a call back on Friday and had a visit set up for Tuesday the following week.

The guy came and, as well as a new motor and filter, he fitted a new clutch assembly (he said 'cos the old one "looked a bit worn"), a new pre-motor filter, new belts and a new cyclone assembly (I have a feeling there was a safety redesign: The new cyclone has a lock that prevents you releasing the cyclone inadvertently if you press the release button whilst lifting the vacuum by the handle on top of the cyclone)

So there you are: for a fiver more than the cost of a new motor and filter, I had about £120+ of bits fitted and guaranteed for a year.

I'm sure this has been posted in reply to several other Dyson motor failures - Doing a search you may have found an answer much quicker.

No matter - Was that helpful?

John, November 2008

Next time it does it, unplug and turn the Dyson over
First check out the brush bar--is that where the smell is coming from? Is the brush free from string /carpet strands etc
Is the belt loose/worn?
Remove the brush bar from the belt and see if the roller spins freely-bearings may be 'gummed' up.
The clutch which engages and disengages the brush bar drive may be worn out. If it is, the brush bar will stop rotating when on a carpet.
The only other cause of smoke/burning smell is the motor. Is the motor making a crackling noise? They are a particularly hard wearing unit but given time they will burn out their brushes.
You should be able to most of your spares from ebay sellers. There is a special section for Dysons

Cledlyn, September 2008