Domakihub How to Replace a Cooker Hood Motor (Step-by-Step)
Silence a dead or noisy extractor hood by swapping the motor yourself in under an hour.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A cooker hood motor that hums, rattles, or refuses to start is one of the most common kitchen appliances issues in Greek homes, holiday rentals, and hotel apartments. The video above walks through diagnosing the fault and shows the full motor swap live; this guide breaks the job into clear steps you can follow at your own pace. With a compatible replacement motor, a screwdriver set, and basic electrical caution, most homeowners can complete the repair without calling a technician.
Why Cooker Hood Motors Fail
Grease-laden air passes through the hood every time you cook, and over months that grease coats the motor bearings and impeller blades. Once the bearings dry out or seize, the motor either strains audibly or stops drawing air entirely. In coastal Greece the added humidity accelerates corrosion on motor windings, making motor failure particularly common in seaside villas and seafront apartments.
A failed capacitor is another frequent culprit — the motor tries to start, hums briefly, then cuts out. Before buying a replacement motor it is worth testing the capacitor (a cheap component) separately, because swapping only the capacitor can restore a motor that otherwise appears dead.
Sourcing the Right Replacement Motor
Most European cooker hood brands — Elica, Faber, Smeg, Franke, Pyramis — publish spare-part codes in the owner manual or on a label inside the hood canopy. Note the wattage, voltage (almost always 230 V in Greece), shaft diameter, and mounting-bracket pattern before ordering. Online spare-parts retailers such as FixPart, eSpares, and local Greek electrical-parts wholesalers typically stock motors for popular models; delivery within Greece is usually two to three working days.
If the exact OEM motor is discontinued, a universal replacement motor matched to the same wattage and shaft size will work in most canopy hoods. Confirm the rotation direction (clockwise when viewed from the outlet side) and the number of speeds before purchasing.
How to Replace a Cooker Hood Motor
- 1
Isolate the power and remove the filters
Switch off the cooker hood at the wall and — critically — turn off the circuit breaker that feeds the kitchen extraction circuit. Remove the grease filters (they unclip or slide out) and set them aside. This gives you clear access to the underside of the motor housing and removes fire risk from grease-soaked material near bare wires.
- 2
Open the hood canopy and locate the motor
Unscrew the canopy or chimney surround — usually two to four screws on the underside or inside the grease-filter recess. Lift the outer shell away to reveal the motor and its wiring harness. Take a photo of the wiring connections before touching anything; this reference shot will save you time during reassembly.
- 3
Disconnect the motor wiring and remove the motor
Carefully release each push-on spade connector or unscrew the terminal block joining the motor to the hood's speed-switch harness. Note which wire colour goes to each terminal (Live, Neutral, Earth, speed taps). Unscrew the motor mounting bracket — typically two to four bolts — and slide the motor and impeller assembly out. Some motors come with the impeller pre-fitted; others require you to pull the impeller off the old motor shaft (a gentle rocking motion releases the press fit) and fit it onto the new one.
- 4
Fit and wire the new motor
Slide the new motor into the mounting bracket and tighten the bolts firmly but without over-torquing aluminium threads. Reconnect the wiring exactly as photographed: match wire colours and terminal positions. If the replacement motor uses different coloured wires, consult its wiring diagram and cross-reference with the hood's own diagram (often printed on a sticker inside the canopy). Reattach any earth (green/yellow) wire to its bonding point on the hood chassis.
- 5
Reassemble, test, and clean up
Refit the canopy surround and tighten all screws. Slide the grease filters back into place. Restore power at the circuit breaker, then switch the hood on at its lowest speed. Listen for smooth, even airflow with no vibration or rattling. Test each speed setting in turn. If the motor hums without spinning, the capacitor wiring may be reversed — check your photo and the motor's wiring diagram. Once confirmed working, degrease the filters before reinstalling for best airflow from day one.
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FAQ
- How do I know if it is the motor or the speed switch that has failed?
- Temporarily bridge the speed switch by connecting the live feed directly to the motor's fastest-speed terminal (with power off, then briefly restored). If the motor runs normally, the speed switch is the fault. If the motor still hums or does not start, the motor or its capacitor is the problem.
- Can I use a universal replacement motor if the original part is discontinued?
- Yes, provided you match wattage, supply voltage (230 V in Greece), shaft diameter, rotation direction, and number of speed taps. Universal motors are widely available online and often cost less than OEM parts. Always verify the impeller bore matches the new shaft before ordering.
- Is this repair safe to do myself, or do I need a licensed electrician in Greece?
- Replacing a low-voltage domestic appliance motor is a DIY-permitted task in Greece when the circuit is properly isolated at the breaker before starting. If the hood is hard-wired into a junction box (rather than plugged in), you must turn off and lock out the breaker, and it is strongly advisable to have a licensed electrician verify the earthing after reassembly. Holiday-rental landlords should keep a record of any self-performed repairs for insurance compliance.