When a Kirby stops picking up the way it used to, the motor is rarely the problem. The far more common cause is the fan case: the metal housing that surrounds the fan blade and seals the airflow path between the nozzle and the bag. Hit one piece of gravel, a coin or a screw and the blade can chip the case from the inside; years of heat cycling can warp the mating face. Either way the machine leaks air, the suction drops off, and no new bag or belt will bring it back. This is the replacement housing for that repair, Kirby part 119797S.
Built for
- Owners of a G series Kirby that has lost suction with no obvious blockage
- Independent vacuum shops rebuilding trade-in and used Kirby machines
- In-house maintenance departments that service their own equipment
- Anyone who has ingested hard debris and heard the fan strike the case
- Restoring a machine bought secondhand with unknown service history
Why the fan case matters
A Kirby is a direct-air machine. Everything the nozzle picks up travels through the fan before it reaches the bag, and the fan case is what keeps that stream contained and moving in one direction. A crack, a chipped rim or a distorted sealing face lets air enter where it should not, which drops the pressure differential at the nozzle. The symptom people describe is the same every time: the machine still sounds strong but will not lift debris out of carpet pile. Replacing the case restores the seal, and because the part is a metal casting rather than a plastic reproduction, it stands up to the next strike as well.
What it fits
Kirby and its distributors list fan case 119797S for the G5, G6, Ultimate G, Diamond Edition and Sentria. Discount Cleaning Products lists it for the G3 and G4 as well. If you are working from a parts diagram, this is the front casting that carries the fan and mounts behind the nozzle. The fan case gasket is a separate item, and most technicians replace it at the same time rather than reusing a compressed one.
Specifications
- Genuine Kirby part number 119797S, also shown in parts lists as 119797
- Metal fan case housing, the front cover over the fan blade
- Listed application: Kirby G5, G6, Ultimate G, Diamond Edition and Sentria
- Sold as the housing only; fan blade and gasket are separate part numbers
Frequently asked questions
How do I know the fan case is the problem and not the motor?
Run the machine with a new bag and a clear airway. If it sounds normal at full speed but will not pull debris out of carpet, you have an air leak rather than a power loss, and the fan case is the first place to look. A visible crack, a chipped inner rim, or a case that no longer sits flat against its gasket confirms it.
Does this include the fan blade?
No. This is the fan case housing only. The fan blade is a separate part number. If the blade is what shattered, inspect the case closely before reusing it, because broken blade fragments almost always mark the housing.
Should I replace the gasket at the same time?
It is worth doing. The fan case gasket is inexpensive, it compresses permanently in service, and a new housing sealing against an old flattened gasket can still leak. Most technicians replace both together.
Will this fit a Sentria or an Avalir?
Kirby distributors list 119797S for the G5, G6, Ultimate G, Diamond Edition and Sentria. Coverage of later Avalir machines is claimed by some sellers but is not part of the listing here. Check your machine's parts diagram against the part number before ordering.
Is any special tooling needed?
No. The fan case comes off as part of routine Kirby disassembly with ordinary hand tools. If you have never had a Kirby apart, the main caution is supporting the nozzle assembly and keeping the fasteners in order.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer for genuine Kirby replacement parts, with US-based order support and a catalogue that covers the bags, belts, gaskets and fan components that go with this repair.
