Repair cracked, leaking Hoover SteamVac / Vax hot water tank. Permanent, easy, inexpensive DIY fix!
Vložit
- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- Constantly leaking Hoover Steam Vac / Vax Dual V carpet cleaner? Usually the only fix is to spend half the cost of a new machine on a replacement tank (if you can find one), that will probably leak too.
It seems that EVERY Hoover and Vax tank from this era will develop cracks and leaks. This solution keeps the cleaner going strong, without a new tank or sending the whole machine to the landfill. The same technique should work for any brand of hot water tank/reservoir that has become brittle and leaks.
Here's an Amazon link to the Flex Seal that I used to fix mine: amzn.to/31K6lqi I have found quite a few uses for this stuff since fixing the steam cleaner, and now it is part of my fixit tool box!
In this video:
The problem and why replacing the tank may not help: 00:00
Disassembly of tank 1:25
Prepping for repair: 3:05
Sealing the tank: 6:28
Reassembly and results: 9:58
Links to items shown in this video:
Flex Seal Liquid Rubber: amzn.to/3dSkmoF
Nitrile Gloves: amzn.to/31tRdxL
Packing Tape: amzn.to/38hQsJw
Wool Daubers: amzn.to/3eOVorO or Cotton Balls: amzn.to/2Bh45g7
Disposable Chip Brushes: amzn.to/3ig8rVf
If your tank is OK but the water valves leak, there is also a short video on how to replace just those. "Replace leaky valves on Hoover Steamvac / Vax tanks." • Replace leaky valves o...
Also, if your brush motor bearing rusts and seizes from all the leaks, see my video on replacing it here: • SteamVac / Vax Brushes...
If you found this video helpful, please Like, Comment, Subscribe and Share! And, if you have ideas, questions, comments, or images of YOUR project, you can post them on the Uncharted DIY article page at uncharteddiy.com/hoover-steam...
See UnchartedDIY.com for more how-to information, videos, details and links to resources.
Intro music by monkeyman535, freesound.org/s/466981/
If you purchase from one of the provided product links, Uncharted DIY may receive a small commission at no cost to you. - Jak na to + styl
My Hoover steam dual V 2002 model had a same issue from day one and duct taped it. This year, I bought $45 used tank from ebay in mid March for spring cleaning. I didn’t have chance to use until today, New Year Eve.
Guess what??? Agh! I found the other tank has leakage and cracked open at the valve hole. I will not spend $100 for just new tank when I can buy newer model machine for $90 at Amazon.
THANk YOU for making great video. my husband and I watched this video and will try your method using flex seal to inner.
So glad I could help, Hana! Let me know how it goes if you'd be so kind. I just used my repaired cleaner again today, and the tank is holding up perfectly! It is a long lasting fix.
I'm excited to try this - thank you!
Thanks Jody. I'd love to hear how it works for you!
Good job! Thanks for posting!
Thanks. I hope it helped you. Mine is still going strong without any leaks! Please let me know how yours goes if you do this fix.
Omg thank you... My husband will be doing this in the morning
I'm happy you found it helpful, Zombie B! If you would like to share any tips or show how it comes out, you can post photos in the comments section here: uncharteddiy.com/hoover-steamvac-tank-leaks/
that's a fantastic idea! Thank you very much, I have a dual v carpet cleaner that's doing the same thing. I'm going to try your fix tomorrow, and I'll get back to you and let you know if it worked or not! Thank you again!
I think you'll be happy with the results. Mine is like new now and is going strong! Please do let me know how it comes out.
Wow... I had the same thing happen in mine. The tabs had created a stress fracture and water was dripping out. I decided I could go ahead and fix so I got one tab detached but the soap dispensing bottle on mine was much more difficult. I discovered, after I tried to carefully pry the tank out off the base plate, that the soap container was glued to the tank itself. Therefore, when I pried it free I also witnessed pieces of plastic water tank flying all over my sink as the tank had shattered during the process. Thanks Hoover! Great stuff you guys!
I feel your pain Thomas! Those tanks seem to be more fragile than egg shells! They are a MAJOR design flaw and Hoover should have replaced them. If it's not in too many pieces, you might be able to tape and then use the Flex Seal like I did for the corners. I hope you can save it.
I did the same thing. The detergent tank looks like it’s supposed to be removed. But, it’s not. Now I can’t get it to stay in place. Came here to see what I can do to fix it.
I used double sided foam tape, and it held ok but kinda wiggly. Next time it comes loose, I might try double sided carpet tape. As a last resort, epoxy might work, but it would be permanent.
@@UnchartedDIY I remembered my tank had clips on it - so perhaps it was supposed to come off . I remember the clip broke. I glued it. But it was under to much stress for the glue to hold. Even though I left it to cure. I’ll take it apart tomorrow and see what I can do. This video gave me some inspiration to try again. Honestly, it’s been so long since I messed with it - I don’t remember the details. Tomorrow…
Thanks for the video. I’m going to inspect my tank more closely. On mine - I pulled the detergent tank off - but I don’t think it had double-sided tape holding it in place. I believe it had a clip. Now, I can’t get the little detergent tank to stay locked down onto the bigger tank. It pops up and leaks. I tried gluing the clip back in place - but it’s under too much stress for the glue to hold. When I hold it down in place - it doesn’t leak. I’ll give it another look. Maybe some strong double side tape will help alleviate some stress with it glued in place again. I used the 2 part epoxy glue. Might need to try a different type. This machine was bought new many years ago - but rarely used.
I loved your video and I feel ya with the steam tank. Am curious I can't find this I have a shark handheld steamer that mysteriously worked Saturday but on Sunday was somehow cracked on the exterior and it leaks and does not steam. Well, I am going in blind. If nothing else I need a cord.
I'm glad you like the video Holly. I'm not sure what you mean about not being "able to find this", but I'm guessing you mean the Flex Seal I used. For a while it seemed to be in short supply, but Amazon is carrying it again. Here's an affiliate link to exactly what I used: amzn.to/31K6lqi
I'm not familiar with the Shark steamer, but the same trick I used to fix my Hoover might work well for the Shark too. I think the Flex Seal would work on any water tank - it's actually pretty amazing stuff! Good luck with your project and I'd love to know how it works for you!
I have a similar tank and thought the valve was leaking. Mine doesn't have the bottom plate, just a piece that attaches to the front. I found that there is a seam where the bottom snaps on to the rest of the tank that is separating. My God these things are made like crap. I am going to try some super glue to get the part bonded, then go with the flex seal. Hopefully that will work. The cleaner is great when it doesn't leak.
I agree with you, Scott. Great machines, but some parts were clearly designed by an engineer's toddler on a "bring your kid to work" day!
Ingenious solution and great video showing and explaining how you did it. Nice work! My problem is similar and I was hoping you might have some ideas. My tank leaked so I got the replacement valve to fix it. When I took the old valve out, I discovered some plastic around the hole was broken off, so I no longer have a round hole of the correct size. It's not a large amount missing but obviously enough to prevent a tight fit for the valve. I was thinking of trying to glue down a washer or a plastic ring of some type to restore the proper hole size. Maybe on both sides? What do you think? Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
I think your idea would work. I like the way you think! Washers could be a great solution if you find the right inner diameter. Rubber or nylon washers might do the trick, but metal might work too if it's thin enough. If you can't find a washer, I'd also look at the faucet repair section to try to find a seal of some sort. One on either side would be ideal, but they need to be thin enough to allow the new valve to fit. I'd love to know what you come up with, and it might help other people in the same situation. Thanks for watching!
@@UnchartedDIYThanks for your quick reply. I'll keep you posted. Plan B is to replace the tank. I found a replacement on Amazon for $40.
Having a Plan B is great! When I last checked, the only replacement tanks were from Hoover and going for $90. Nice to have options!
@@UnchartedDIYAs much as it pains me, I've decided to go with Plan B. Plan A does not seem feasible. Trying to do anything on the inside of the tank is like building a ship in a bottle. Using a thick artist brush taped to a metal rod, I started trying to put some caulk/glue on the inside around a tapered dowel meant to fill in the proper size hole. That ended up a mess. Rigid plastic washer I found can't fit inside the tank and on the outside it would add 1/8th inch to the underside of the tank and I'm not sure how that would impact the operation of the valve. Finally, the hole rests in a little recess in the bottom of the tank, so I don't have an even surface on the outside of the tank to try to glue the washer to (the washer is wider than the recess). Bottom of tank is extremely thin plastic and future cracks don't seem unlikely. All of this, versus the $40 replacement, which is supposedly an improved design with thicker and sturdier plastic, has led me to Plan B.
@@richard4647 Sometime even the most hardcore DIYer will have to bail on a project! Given all you've been through, I would do the exact same thing. I'm just super happy you found a great Plan B and I thank you for letting me know a reasonable cost replacement is available 👍
I am trying to repair the cracked clean water/solution tank to my little portable spot bot 1200-2. The replacement is no longer available so I started ad libbing also with flex seal spray that I had around here. I sprayed around on the inside and let it run down over the cracked area. I will give it some more applications until I feel it is solid. But I have a question. Did you leave that packing tape on the outside of your tank or did you remove it after you had your hole plugged?
Hi Amy, the corner of my tank had shattered and left a hole about the size of a nickel. I didn't think I could put enough Flex Seal into my tank to cover a hole that size, so I left my tape in place and coated over it with the Flex Seal. If your cracking is not as bad, you probably don't need to leave it on. I'd love to hear how yours comes out!
@@UnchartedDIY Thanks for your quick reply! Yes, the hole in my tank was longer and narrower so maybe it will hold if I add enough layers to the inside and outside. I’m not going to rush it. I’ll leave it to dry for a few days before I try to fill it with water. I’ll let you know! Thanks so much for making this video!
Do you think Flexseal will work?
Funny you should ask!
My brushes spin when the vac is tipped up but they stop spinning when in contact with the rug. I have tried adjusting the height if the brushes and they stop if it is on low or high. Any idea how to fix this?
It could be caused by a number of things, including the bearing(s). I would start by making sure the intake filter is clean. It it can't pass enough air to the turbine, the brushes will have weak spinning action. I'd also pop the brushes out of the nozzle and check for hair wrapped around the brushes. And, the hose port on the nozzle for the handheld tools might be leaking air.
Finally, if those don't work, you'll probably need to open it up and check the bearings, and the turbine blade. If that blade is broken, it won't drive the brushes well.
I hope that helps, and I'd love to know what you find is causing the weak brushes.
Here's my update. I took the machine apart and the air filter by the height adjustment was really covered with link and dust. I was hoping this would be the fix. But, it took the whole thing apart and there were 2 things on my machine that were different than why you showed in your video. #1 there is no metal wire that goes over the black part on the brush motor. #2 there was no bearing, like the one you showed, in my brush motor. My machine has a washer, under that what looks like another washer with some groves in it, radiating from the center hole to the outside edge, I didn't look below the groves disc. The gears and the bottom both spin really well. I put it back together and crossed my fingers. (I cleaned all the brushes. my machine has 5 round brushes. Took me 2 hours to do this. But they look brand new now!). I turned the machine on and the brushes rotated really well when the vac was raised off the carpet but stopped as soon as I put it down on the carpet.
Do you have any other ideas why this might be happening or how to fix it? My model # is F5861-900 Series 17.9
@@NancyQuade-ex7ci Wow. I wish I had more ideas. It sounds like your machine is different than mine, and I think it's newer.
The only other thing I can think of is that maybe the seal where the recovery tank attaches (called a standpipe) might have a crack in it, or it isn't seated properly. It is the tall rubber "donut". Just below that seal, there is a rubber o-ring that might also be cracked. That one is a bit more involved to get to. I have a video in the works that shows how to get to it.
Oops played further. Haha
😄😄
Quality is sacrificed. A replacement tank costs almost as much as a new machine. Pricing ploy used to subtly encourage buying a whole new product. Gotta love capitalism, well you don't have to love capitalism. I'm gonna give the flex seal a go and if it doesn't work I'll be purchasing new but it will not be a Hoover product. Even better, my carpets are old, if flex seal doesn't do the trick, looks like it'll be time for some sweat equity. Or cheap laminate until lumber prices come back down.
I agree. There's no excuse for such a poor quality tank on an expensive machine. Planned obsolescence at its best!
The great news is that my fixed machine is still working great, so give it a try for sure.