There was a post in November of 2009 listing needed steps for repairing a Scunci steamer. At one point it very blithely states: 6. Now look in the hole where the steam comes out and remove the 1/4 inch nut, metal washer, and rubber washer. But I have no idea what tool is needed to take out the washers. They seem to be held fast by the post that the nut was on. I can't for the life of me figure this one out. I have tried asking both my son-in-law and his brother. Help! It was a post by kffrmw88. Anyone have any idea what is holding this thing in place? I am trying to do it myself. Thanks.
By Kristen C.
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I did this and it really worked. Very happy to have it back in service. First, do not try to remove the rubber collar/washer under the cap. Just lift up the sides and the screws are right there. What you will need to remove the nut is a 1/4 inch socket which they sell individually at the big box stores if you don't have a socket set.
A medium size flat-bladed screwdriver stuck in the other end will do the trick to turn it. I then ran a thin bladed knife around the outside of the washers under the nut which removed a lot of debris, then tapped the brass rod out. You may need pliers to pull it out. The two washers came right out after that. I soaked everything in a lime remover for a few minutes and then a little steel wool and a brush to remove the rest.
Also used a dilute solution to clean out the container. When re-assembling, The socket came in handy for pushing the washers down on the brass post. Then, put the top back on first, making sure the spring is lined up on the post, and then the handle. Works as good as when it was new.
We did this too and it works again! I was shocked at the price of a new one. Bought mine for $60 about 9 years ago. Saw Amazon for 199.00 - thought that had to be a mistake! Glad to get mine fixed. I tried vinegar first, but it was the thumb button. Back in action!
Scunci SS-1000.
I am glad I found this repair site. It provided motivation to attempt a repair, along with the shocking expense of a new one. I payed less than $50 years ago and I now see they are about $200. My problem was nothing happened when I pressed the trigger. I poured in the suggested vinegar, screwed the cap tight, plugged it in, let it heat up. Pressed the trigger...nothing. Unplugged it. Shook it, left the vinegar in so as to soak overnight. Repeated everything the next day. Still nothing. After letting it cool, I disassembled the top portion following Kathleen W's excellent directions. However upon pushing the protruding brass head/plunger I could tell it was stuck. Instead of disassembling that mechanism I sprayed WD-40 around the brass's perimeter. After a bit of soaking I manually pushed on the brass head and it released. I did this several times, working it freely and reassembled everything. Plugged the steamer in and after heating up, the steamer worked as it should. Perhaps if the brass plunger locks again I will have to go deeper into the mechanism to clean out the crud, but for now all is well. I use the steamer to help remove old vinyl decals from signs. I think the vinegar is a good trick. BTW... Do not remove the bottom portion. No need to, but I was curious. There were some problems I had to deal with in doing so. One of 3 screws had a weird half slot in the head and that 1/4" thick rubber positioning seal at the top is difficult to get back in place properly. I like fixing things. When they are fixable. :)
Awesome instructions. Do you guys know what the spring around the brass rod looks like? I can't seem to find mine. It may have popped of somewhere when I took it apart. And do you slide it over the brass rod before you slide it through the front? I got mine working, but since I didn't have the spring, it just stays on continuously until the water is gone, or I unplug it and cool it off. Better than not working at all. It was on the way to the landfil.
I have the same problem. I did not find a spring for on the brass rod what does it look like
Thank you for the screw driver suggestion!
Im feeling very accomplished. Got it taken apart, cleaned, put back together and it works.
The WD40 was critical to getting it apart. Did that outside to avoid the smell and dropped the brass rod into a patch of garlic chives that were teeming with bees. :>
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I have a Scunci steamer Model SS-1000. It heats up, but steam does not come out when I press the button.
John
If you have a manual, check out whether you need to clean the steamer periodically to remove mineral buildup from the water you put in it. If no manual, check online by googling the name and model of your steamer.
