Help- Shop vac dieing!

[xjjeepman]

Hey guys. I have an older shop vac that just started acting up on me after a quick cleaning of it which included a brief spray down. It DOES turn on, but revs much higher than it used to and only for about 30 seconds before it shuts itself down. Any ideas?? Id hate to toss it as its been a good basement shop vac to have around instead of toting my monster Craftsman.

 

[G_P]

Did you make sure it was totally dry before you fired it up?
Electric motors can't really over rev like a gas engine. Any funky smells or smoke coming from the motor?

Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[lametec]

Is it actually sucking?

 

[xjjeepman]

Did you make sure it was totally dry before you fired it up?
Electric motors can't really over rev like a gas engine. Any funky smells or smoke coming from the motor?

Sent via carrier pigeon.

Well, it may not have been totally dry so not sure. No smells or smoke so really weird. It may not be revving faster, but it definitely is louder/more strained maybe? I checked for any blockages and cant see anything! Still provides suction when mounted to the canister but shuts down shortly after turning on like its protecting itself. I didn't dowse the vac head but would assume a wet/dry shop van can handle a little water! lol

 

[Kevin54]

What do you mean by "it shuts itself down" ?

Are you saying that the motor shuts completely off like it has an overload protection on it?

How did you spray it down.....water? If so, unplug it, shake the motor around to see if it has any water in it, then either get a can of contact cleaner and spray it around in there or you can even use some WD-40.

DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT turn it on while the WD-40 is wet. After doing that, take an air hose if you have one and blow it out well. Set it out in the sun for a little while so things dry up. After you are sure the WD or contact cleaner is dried, plug it in and try it.

WD-40 works great on an electrical motor that has gotten wet, but when that motor sparks inside it will ignite the WD although it really is way more scarier that it actually is. My dad taught me well just from watching the things he did.

 

[Kevin54]

I'm slow on typing, that's why I ask questions after they are answered. :tard:

 

[xjjeepman]

Yes, completely shuts down. Good point, ill try the WD40 trick and try AFTER its dried out. thx for the suggestion!