Okay, here we go! Let's talk about my Bissell Big Green and the saga of keeping it running.

So, I’ve got this Bissell Big Green deep cleaning machine, right? Thing's a beast, gets the carpets super clean. But, like anything, it needs some love and attention, and sometimes, that means replacing parts. I'm not a repair expert by any means, but I'm handy enough to figure things out, usually with a YouTube video or two. Figured I'd share my experience, in case it helps someone else.

First Sign of Trouble

It all started a few months back. I noticed the suction wasn't what it used to be. Carpets were still damp after cleaning, and that's never a good sign. I knew it was time to investigate. First thing I did was unplug the machine – safety first, people!

Troubleshooting Time

• The Tanks: Obvious first step, right? I emptied both the clean water and dirty water tanks, gave them a good rinse, and made sure the caps were on tight. Sometimes, a loose cap can mess with the pressure.
• The Nozzle: Next up, the nozzle. This is where the magic (or lack thereof) happens. I detached it and checked for any clogs. Hair, fuzz, you name it, it gets stuck in there. I used a small brush and some tweezers to clear everything out.
• The Hoses: Okay, this is where it got a little more involved. I detached the hoses, both the one going from the tank to the nozzle and the one sucking up the dirty water. I ran water through them to check for blockages. Found a couple of hairballs in there – gross!

Still No Suction – Time for Parts!

After all that cleaning, the suction was still weak. I was starting to suspect a deeper problem. I did some googling. Watched some YouTube videos of people tearing down their Big Greens. And everything pointed to a couple of potential culprits.

Ordering the Goods

I ended up ordering a new belt and a new foot brush roll. Found them on Amazon for a decent price. Made sure to double-check the model number of my Big Green to make sure I was getting the right parts. Waiting for them to arrive felt like forever!

The Repair Process

Okay, this is where I got my hands dirty. Again, I relied heavily on YouTube. Here's the gist:

• Opening it Up: The Big Green has a bunch of screws holding it together. I carefully removed them and kept them organized in a small container so I wouldn't lose them.
• Replacing the Belt: The belt connects the motor to the brush roll. It was pretty straightforward to replace. Just slipped the old one off and the new one on. Made sure it was seated properly.
• Replacing the Brush Roll: The brush roll just slides out after removing a small cover. Popped the new one in and reattached the cover.

The Moment of Truth

After putting everything back together (and making sure all the screws were in the right places!), it was time to test it out. Filled the tank with clean water and cleaning solution, plugged it in, and crossed my fingers.

And… IT WORKED! The suction was back, the brush roll was spinning like crazy, and the carpets were getting clean again. Victory!

Lessons Learned

So, what did I learn from all this?

• Regular Maintenance is Key: Emptying the tanks and cleaning the nozzle after each use can prevent a lot of problems.
• YouTube is Your Friend: Seriously, those repair videos are lifesavers.
• Don't Be Afraid to DIY: Replacing parts on the Bissell Big Green isn't rocket science. With a little patience and some basic tools, you can save yourself a lot of money on repair bills.

Anyway, that's my Bissell Big Green repair story. Hope it helps someone out there. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some carpets to clean!