Very hot Flex XC 3401

Jet Black

Jet Black

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Guys yesterday my cousin and I was working on his car, 2 bucket wash, clayed and started a test spot he ended up choosing FG2500 with orange flat pad, we started on the top of the car hit the trunk then went to the hood. As we start the hood you can smell the smoke coming from the Flex at one point we saw smoke come from it. We let it cool of and started up again it got hot quickly and it even seemed like it was drying up the FG2500 we could get about 3 passes before it looked like the stuff was drying up, then when you touch the paint it was hot, I told him lets call it and I would ask the forum for some insight we plan on trying again tomorrow. Any input would be very welcome thanks.
 
You might do a search as this has been discussed before. I've never taken mine apart but believe someone said there is heat sink grease inside it.

I've never expierenced this but something doesn't sound right. Is it under warranty? How long did it take to heat up to the point you thought it was running too hot?

I've been meaning to take some temperture reading from my Flex next time I do a compound or polish. You've just reminded me.
 
Jet Black said:
Guys yesterday my cousin and I was working on his car, 2 bucket wash, clayed and started a test spot he ended up choosing FG2500 with orange flat pad, we started on the top of the car hit the trunk then went to the hood. As we start the hood you can smell the smoke coming from the Flex at one point we saw smoke come from it. We let it cool of and started up again it got hot quickly and it even seemed like it was drying up the FG2500 we could get about 3 passes before it looked like the stuff was drying up, then when you touch the paint it was hot, I told him lets call it and I would ask the forum for some insight we plan on trying again tomorrow. Any input would be very welcome thanks.
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Try oiling the felt ring between the backing plate.
 
Rsurfer said:
Try oiling the felt ring between the backing plate.
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When I first brought it I asked this question on here and was told no need, man some info can be conflicting. I'll try oiling the ring and see what happens. Thanks:confused:
 
02xtreme07SS said:
There are quite a few threads on AG about the 3401 running hot, but in most cases, it is completely normal.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/flex-polishers/45715-flex-3401-generates-lot-heat.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/flex-polishers/34987-flex-3401-running-hot-2.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/46666-heat-paint.html
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Yes, but there's a point where it reaches excessively hot... I believe the OP's issue qualifies as one of them. I also have heat issues with mine, and have measured temperatures as high as 150 degrees (with an IR thermometer). According to FLEX's repair center, this is excessive heat. I just need to ship it in or drive it 50 miles up the road to Omaha.

While lubricating the felt ring is an option, Mike Phillips has said that it's no longer necessary. Whatever you do, don't soak it in air tool oil as demonstrated in a YouTube video...
 
erichaley said:
Yes, but there's a point where it reaches excessively hot... I believe the OP's issue qualifies as one of them. I also have heat issues with mine, and have measured temperatures as high as 150 degrees (with an IR thermometer). According to FLEX's repair center, this is excessive heat. I just need to ship it in or drive it 50 miles up the road to Omaha.

While lubricating the felt ring is an option, Mike Phillips has said that it's no longer necessary. Whatever you do, don't soak it in air tool oil as demonstrated in a YouTube video...
Click to expand...

I won't soak the ring I'll just lubricate it if it happens tomorrow I'll just call Flex and see where I can take it. Thanks for the help guys I'll keep posting my results. By the way it was killing his swirl and scratches, it's a good machine .
 
This might not mean anything but what gauge is your extension cord??? I noticed some power tools run hotter when the cord is both too small and too long.
 
psnt1ol said:
This might not mean anything but what gauge is your extension cord??? I noticed some power tools run hotter when the cord is both too small and too long.
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Very good point :dblthumb2:

Nice photo in the sig too :goodjob2:
 
psnt1ol said:
This might not mean anything but what gauge is your extension cord??? I noticed some power tools run hotter when the cord is both too small and too long.
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The gauge I can't remember but it's 100ft, I at least need 50 to get it to the back yard. What gauge do you have? I may try a new cord also.
 
Jet Black said:
The gauge I can't remember but it's 100ft, I at least need 50 to get it to the back yard. What gauge do you have? I may try a new cord also.
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+1 I was using a 14 or 16 gauge (can't remember) when my flex was overheating and causing the white snap ring to burn off and throw itself all over my paint.

I bought a 12 gauge 50ft chord and replaced the whole backing plate w/ felt ring and snap ring. Lubed the felt ring w/ 3 n 1 oil before firing it up again & Problem fixed.
 
JHL88 said:
+1 I was using a 14 or 16 gauge (can't remember) when my flex was overheating and causing the white snap ring to burn off and throw itself all over my paint.

I bought a 12 gauge 50ft chord and replaced the whole backing plate w/ felt ring and snap ring. Lubed the felt ring w/ 3 n 1 oil before firing it up again & Problem fixed.
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12 gauge got it.
 
Hot ambient temps in that backyard and sun may contribute as well. What was the temperature outside?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
Jet Black said:
12 gauge got it.
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JHL88 is correct for sure on 50 feet should use 12 gauge cord. You are using 100 feet, consider 10 gauge for that length at a minimum. I seen a chart somewhere on what gauge for what length of cord but can't seem to find it but I do remember that 100 feet needs 10 gauge. :)
 
Evan.J said:
Nice photo in the sig too :goodjob2:
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Thanks!!! So easy. Even a caveman...well you know.

Jet Black said:
The gauge I can't remember but it's 100ft, I at least need 50 to get it to the back yard. What gauge do you have? I may try a new cord also.
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12 gauge. I learned this the hard way when I burned out a compressor years ago.
 
swanicyouth said:
Hot ambient temps in that backyard and sun may contribute as well. What was the temperature outside?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
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It was only like 80 and not even that humid, hopefully getting a 12 gauge cord and oiling the ring will help. Thanks guys
 
psnt1ol said:
12 gauge. I learned this the hard way when I burned out a compressor years ago.
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Explain to me again how this burns out the tool? If you use too thin a cord you will get voltage drop across the cord, which will heat up the cord...and lower the voltage available to the tool, reducing the amount of work it can do and heat it can generate...so how does this burn out the tool again?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Explain to me again how this burns out the tool? If you use too thin a cord you will get voltage drop across the cord, which will heat up the cord...and lower the voltage available to the tool, reducing the amount of work it can do and heat it can generate...so how does this burn out the tool again?
Click to expand...

I am not an electrician or an engineer but this is what I remembered from school.

In the mathematical world a one horse power motor that is in perfect condition less and drag due to bearings or cooling fans would draw 746 watts.

Ohms Law says that the wattage divided by the voltage will give the amperage.

746 divided by 120 volts will equate to 6.2 amps but if that same motor was supplied by 100 volts it would be; 746 divided by 100 which would equate to 7.46 amps or an increase in current of about 20%.

It is this extra bump in current that heats up the internal windings. The internal windings of a motor are insulated for certain temperatures that the motor is designed to work in and when these are exceed damage occurs to them. This can take a while under slight conditions and happen quickly under adverse conditions.

Again.... I could be wrong. If I am then please accept my apology.
 
erichaley said:
Yes, but there's a point where it reaches excessively hot... I believe the OP's issue qualifies as one of them. I also have heat issues with mine, and have measured temperatures as high as 150 degrees (with an IR thermometer). According to FLEX's repair center, this is excessive heat. I just need to ship it in or drive it 50 miles up the road to Omaha.

While lubricating the felt ring is an option, Mike Phillips has said that it's no longer necessary. Whatever you do, don't soak it in air tool oil as demonstrated in a YouTube video...
Click to expand...

We have a place in Omaha that works on these??!!!
 
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