Sarabela

My husband surprised me tonight by redoing the wiring for the 66 (it usually takes him months or years to do the things on his honey-do list). Prior to him redoing it, and also since it's redone, the motor puts off an odor. Is not really a burning odor or anything like that but I don't quite know how to describe it. Is this a sign of something not being right? It's a Universal motor. My husband is Googling right now and found something about brushes inside the motor burning on cheaper motors. I am dying to do some sewing with it tomorrow but I don't want to cause damage if this is a sign of a problem.

quiltedsunshine

Generally, that smell is old carbon burning off. It should go away with use. You could help it by cleaning the commutator/armature, if it's accessable. Armature cleaning sticks are expensive, but a long, skinny eraser works really well.

J Miller

Annette, is quite correct. Old carbon, lint, oil, and other crap that accumulates on motors when the machines sit. If it doesn't clear off with some use, I usually pull the brushes then clean them, their tubes and the commutator with q-tips and denatured alcohol.

Generally that works.

Joe