20 Most Recent Oreck XL21 Bagged Upright Vacuum Questions & Answers

Its not to difficult, its just requires some patience. The first thing Ill recommend is removing the handle from the fan chamber tube, it should come apart pretty easily simply by turning the flange that threads it together. Watch the video I've attached it explains the removal of the handle. The bottom of the bag has a small metal spring clip that holds it onto the handle, just lift that off. Set the whole thing to the side. The cord will still be attached to the base, which is fine, its just easier to work on it when all that's set aside. You'll want to flip it over like you're changing the belt, remove the baseplate screws and pull it off. That'll expose the motor, belt, brushroll, fan chamber and dirt intake tube. Remove the belt, set it and the brushroll aside. On the right hand side there's one screw that holds the dirt intake tube on and two screws on the other side that hold the motor in. Remove them all. The dirt intake tube should slide out, set it aside. You'll need to pull the motor off the other side by wiggling it back and forth until it pops free from the fan chamber. Its just a friction fit. The chamber should be free, you'll need to just rotate it around to remove it from the base and it should come out. To reinstall the new one you just put it back in the opening on the base, refit the fan and motor back into it, hold the dirt intake tube on the other side and fit it back in gently. Oreck's don't have a rats nest of wiring or moving parts so just keep an eye on the screws and be patient!

Check that the beater bar is completely clear of thread, this will bring the brush roll back to normal. Also check the sides of the brush roll doesn't have anything such as thread or thick string at the sides.

The key to getting an Oreck to move or push is to use as low and angle of the handle as possible. The more upright the handle, the harder the machine is to push (move). The lower the angle or the closer the handle is to the carpet, the easier it is to move (push). Use a straight stiff arm that is pointed down and move your arm at the shoulder with a near locked elbow.

You will need a new handle tube. You can use the included link to find a repair store near you. Oreck Store Locator

Your detent needs to be replaced. You can go to Oreck.com and search their store locator to see if there is a repair store near you.

That nut is a left handed thread, so you need to turn it like you would normally tighten it to actually loosen it. You will also need to hold the shaft at the other end with some pliers. I would suggest using a piece of cloth or leather over the shaft so that you do not scar the shaft when you grab it with the pliers. Hope this helps!

If it smells electrical, than you may need a new motor. If it smells more like burnt rubber, than you may have a brush or motor problem. To check you brush, take out the 5 screws that hold your bottom plate on the vacuum and remove the plate. Disengage the belt and see if the bearings at each end of the brush turn freely. If they do not, replace your brush. Also spin the motor shaft by hand and see if it turns freely. Hope this helps!

This could be a few reasons. Check and make sure your bag is not full of dirt, a full bag will make your vacuum's suction worse. Next check for clogs of dirt and debris. Check the nozzle and brushroll too. If you find no clogs and the brushroll and belt look good, it may be your vacuum fan is damaged and needs to be replaced. Genuine Oreck Mataxalloy Fan Impeller R0008 GoodVac.com 800-775-6586

I am unsure why you would be removing the handle to clean it. It really is not necessary, but the handle grip is held together with 6 screws, take out the screws the two halves come off of the handle pipe. Oreck Handle Parts GoodVac.com 800-775-6586

Tina, Sounds like you have a clog. You can turn the collars on the handle to be able to dismantle your handle so that you can check to see if it is clogged. hope this helps.

Flip the head over and clean the metal pieces on either side if the head. When they get dirty, the tend to stick to the floor.

Jim

First off take the bolt of the fan, that will allow the fan to come off of the motor alowing the fand cover to come off it takes some effort but it will come off. Best of luck, sincerely daxter.

Can you give a little more detail on what kind of problem you are having with your power cord? If you have no power, you might check up in the handle to see if one of the wires has come off of the switch and just re-attach it to the switch and that might fix your problem.

There's a Pannell on the side onevno2 philips head screw remove that and there is the belt

There are 4 screws on the bottom of the vacuum take those out, then you will have acaccess to the belt and brushroll, lift the brushroll up and out, place the new belt over the pully of the motor and around the brush roll, pull the brush roll as you do it will stretch, replace the 4 screws and it is done

Here is Oreck's motor wiring diagram, if it isn't big enough to make out, give me your email addy and I will send it to you.

check for blockabe in bag inlet area, or bottom of unit by intake pivot.
ez check is to feel if bag blows firmly up with air when on, if not, you have a blockage.

You may have to slip a small screw driver into an open slot of the motor housing to provide a stop for the armature so that you can break the lock nut loose. Becareful to not cause ant damage the armature.

If you take it to an Oreck dealer for repair you will probably get both because the fan housing usually comes with a new fan. Usually a fan housing will only break if something was picked up that the blades flipped it into the housing with enough force to crack it. You may find that depending on the dealer it may not be covered under warranty. I work at a dealer on weekends and work on these machines and have seen this frequently, I would recommend replacing both if you are able to get them separately.