Inlet Seal B352-4800

The inlet seal (part# B352-4800) is a genuine Tacony OEM replacement part compatible with multiple backpack vacuum models across the Tornado, CleanMax and Powr-Flite ranges. It is the moulded gasket that sits between the hose inlet elbow and the top cover of a 6-quart backpack canister, and it is the single component standing between full suction at the hose cuff and a slow, invisible air leak at the lid.

Compatible Models for the Inlet Seal

This part is a genuine Tacony OEM component shared across multiple brands and models:

• Tornado: Pac-Vac 6 Aircomfort — Model 93012, Pac-Vac 10 Aircomfort — Model 93014, Pac-Vac 6 Roam Battery Backpack — Model 93016B-1, and the discontinued PV 6 Back Vacuum (93028 and 93029) and PV 10 Back Vacuum (93034)
• CleanMax: CMBP-6.2 backpack vacuum, CMBP-6CL cordless backpack vacuum
• Powr-Flite: PF300BP, PF600BP, PF1000BP and PF600BPG backpack vacuums

What the inlet seal does

Every backpack vacuum works by pulling air through a sealed path: hose cuff, inlet elbow, bag, filters, motor, exhaust. The inlet seal closes the joint where that path enters the machine. The elbow (part# B352-0600) passes through an opening moulded into the top cover, and the B352-4800 wraps that junction so the only air the motor can pull is air that came up the hose.

Because it is a compression part rather than a moving one, it fails quietly. A cracked housing announces itself; a flattened inlet seal does not. The machine still runs, the bag still fills, and the operator simply finds that it takes longer to do the same floor than it used to. On a rental fleet or a nightly cleaning route that shows up as labour cost long before anyone thinks to check a two-dollar gasket.

When to replace the inlet seal

Replace it whenever the top cover comes off for any other reason. It costs less than the time it takes to pull the machine apart a second time, and a seal that has been compressed against the cover for a few thousand hours will not re-seat the same way once disturbed.

Replace it immediately if you can hear a faint whistle or hiss near the lid while the motor runs, if the hose cuff can be rocked in its socket, if the rubber has gone hard and shiny instead of soft and matte, or if suction is down with a fresh bag and clean filters. That last combination — good bag, good filters, poor suction — points at the sealed path itself, and the inlet is the first place to look.

The inlet seal, the inlet elbow (part# B352-0600) and the body seal (part# B352-1200) make up the upper sealing set on these machines. Technicians servicing a high-hour unit generally do all three at once, because each one that stays old undoes some of the benefit of the two that were replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the inlet seal (part# B352-4800) do?

It seals the joint where the hose inlet elbow enters the top cover of the canister, so the motor pulls air up the hose instead of drawing it in around the lid. It is a compression gasket, not a moving part.

How do I know if my inlet seal (part# B352-4800) needs replacing?

Weak suction with a fresh bag and clean filters is the classic symptom. Also look for a faint hiss near the lid with the motor running, a hose cuff that rocks in its socket, or rubber that has gone hard and shiny rather than soft and matte.

Should I replace the inlet elbow at the same time?

It is worth doing. The inlet seal (B352-4800), the inlet elbow (B352-0600) and the body seal (B352-1200) form the upper sealing set. Replacing one while leaving the others worn limits how much suction you actually recover.

How do I order the inlet seal (part# B352-4800) or get help?

You can add the inlet seal (part# B352-4800) directly to your cart on this page, or call us at 763-535-0770. Our staff at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428 has been servicing CleanMax, Tornado and Powr-Flite equipment since 1956 and can confirm the right part for your machine before you order.

Twin City Vacuum has been selling and servicing Tornado, CleanMax and Powr-Flite equipment since 1956, and every part we ship is a genuine Tacony OEM component. Browse the full Tornado Pac-Vac Aircomfort parts catalog, or read more about the machines at tornadovac.com.

Questions? Call us at 763-535-0770 or visit us at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428.