My Scunci steamer won't work. It heats up, builds pressure, but steam won't come out. Please help.
By rita from Cleveland, OH
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Take it back or do this; To fix the problem of no steam coming out or steam coming out without pushing the button.
Do this:
1. Remove the two screws from the from of the steamer then remove the end cap.
2. Removed screw from the lower area of handle.
3.Top of steamer, remove the two screws under round rubber flap around fill hole.
4. Removed back of handle, top of steamer, front of steamer where nozzles attach.
5. Remove the plastic tube where the steam comes out.
6. Now look in the hole where the steam comes out and remove the 1/4 inch nut, metal washer, and rubber washer.
7. Take a small punch and lightly tap the brass rod until it pops out the back.
8. Remove the brass rod and spring. " The spring will have white crud on it and in the hole where it came out of. Clean the hole and spring really good. This will fix the problem of steam always coming out with out pushing the button."
9. Clean the brass rod, spring, and hole that they go into. I use a very small round wire brush. "Like the kind you might use to clean a gun."
10. Spray some WD40 in the hole and on the brass rod, then put a few drops of oil on the rod.
11. Put every thing back together and it will work like new.
12. Don't use tap water in the steamer and you will not get the build up.good luck.
This continues to be a GREAT post that works like a dream and gives a person the confidence to make it happen. I touched mine up and fixed the other 2 that I bought for the kids when they were in college. THX!
might have helped more if you had added why its important to tap lightly on the copper pc. maybe added oil before tapping as well. it wouldnt come out so i had to hit it harder now the groves are damaged so the nut will not screw back on and i cannot find a replacement .
I realize this post is years old, but I am attempting this fix. Got it all cleaned up, but for the life of me can't get the nut back on the rod! Is there a trick to this?
This was great information! I was about to toss my steamer. Someone screwed the cap on lopsided so I couldn't unscrew it then a friend of mine was able to unscrew it and next on the list to rinse out the inside!
My brass washer is stuck to the rod and i cannot seem to move it for the life of me. Any suggestions? I have tried wd40 & vinegar
There is no nut to remove. I took did everything to that point. The brass rod looks like it has threads on it but not enough protrudes to know for sure.
This worked for me. It was time consuming but well worth it to have my steamer back. There was a tiny black rubber seal I replace because it was torn, while I was in there.
Followed your instruction and fixed it....Thank you..glad I found this old post.
I purchased one at a flea market yesterday for THREE dollars with ALL the attachments! When I brought it home and went to try it out it was not working, no steam coming out but all the pressure for the steam was working. I found this post and went through these instructions today. Had a bit of trouble with the tiny nut and washer, but husband helped me with an extra hand. My steamer works perfectly now! So happy. :) Thanks for the instructions!
Another set up hands! lol It was really hard for me also.
Great instructions, I had my handyman look at my steamer twice, but it would only work for a little while, I had a dorm fridge stored in the shed and its gasket needed a good cleaning, and my steamer is the perfect tool when it works, These instructions were perfect, but some steps like removing the rubber gasket were a chore but I was able to get them done. Thanks for saving me $200 for a replacement
This worked you are a genius, this worked and my wife fought me all the way through this. I thought it was stupid, she said stay the course, she was right and I was wrong and our steamer works
I did this and it it works!!!! I was almost going to throw my steamer away because I was so frustrated. I had tried everything and nothing worked.
After the cleaning of all moving parts I get steam alright but the lever will not allow it to stop. It always steams. At least if works steaming, but if I could get the lever to stop the steaming, it would be great,
Kathleen's "to-do" did the trick. I also used CLR (although the directions say not to with steamers -- I was desperate) and WD-40 during the process. I didn't remove the brass rod so we'll see if that makes a difference in future uses. But if it gets stuck again, I'll know what to do.
It would be so great to have pictures of this procedure... "the nut and washers removed from where steam comes out, using a punch lightly tap on rod till it comes out back..."
Thank you! You are the only post I could find and it works! Again, thank you!
THAT IS A LOT OF DETAILED WORK, I JAVE BAD VISION
If I were you, I would take it back to the store where you bought it there maybe a problem with it. Get a new one and see if it works if not I would contact the manufacture. Good luck.
I used a deep socket take out the nut then used a small screw driver to get the washer and used a punch to remove the shaft.
It's not a 1/4 nut, it's the metric 6mm so youll need a 6 point 1/4, not a 12 point as it will just round the nut. remove nut and use the tip of a screwdriver to tap the threads into the washer. Once that done, the washer can be pried out (the threaded shaft is the only thing holding it in). I believe the washer and the rubber seal behind it are the valve so when you put it back together. If you tighten the nut all the way, itll prevent the valve from operating (?) so tighten and then loosen like 1/2 turn.
Now I have some light steam coming out with no trigger and a burst when I use the trigger. Remove the shaft and clean it of calcium and lime. probably wouldnt hurt to to fill with some CLR or lime away and let soak for a few hours then rinse. I got chunks of white lime dropping out of mine when I rinsed it. That will coat bottom and reduce heating ability, just like a water heater.
cheater's way: pour 1/2 cup white vinegar into the steamer. it will dissolve the lime deposits; you should see steam again in just a few minutes. i don't mind cleaning with vinegar, so i actually use the steamer this way while i clean it. but if you don't like the smell of vinegar, just run a few cycles of distilled water through and eventually the vinegar scent will evaporate.
cheater's way: pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the steamer. it will dissolve the lime deposits and you should see steam in just a few minutes. if the scent of vinegar bothers you, run a few cycles of distilled water thru the steamer and the smell will evaporate.
You can take it beck, but I only would suggest that if it's in warranty and you're not at all comfortable tinkering. This really is a simple and easy DIY, and I found everything exactly as Kathleen W described. Definitely use a deep-socket hex to get out the valve nut, if you have one -- I wouldn't recommend using needle-nose pliers, but they might work. The brass rod took a good bit of tapping, and the spring was really tough to get out (got it used, and it had a LOT of build-up), but just be patient and keep at it. I used a little WD-40 to help, and also the metal gun brush: .22 gauge, twist it in, then pull straight out. I snugged the valve nut down all the way on re-assembly, and it's good as new. No leaking, and a good blast when pressing the trigger. Thanks for this hack! :-)
Have had the same issue with our Scunci steamer over the years. Like any good device that does not work--you smack it! Not kidding...hard water/particulates build up and clog the lines. Take a hammer or other hard device and tap on the brass screw at the bottom of the entry to where the hose goes up to the steamer and the steam will somehow magically reappear. Stuff gets lodged there, tap it rather hard with a hammer or other and it should dislodge.
Marlon
My Scunci steamer won't work. It heats up, builds pressure, but steam won't come out. Please help.
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