DIY - Fix your bissell if it doesn't spray solution any longer

[Stormking39]

Hi, does this method work on A Bissell 9400?

[MrPsteels]

@Stormking39 HI I just did this on my 9400 and yes found my heating element fairly blocked. The real problem I had was the spray jets over the roller brushed were really blocked. To access both heater and spray jets on the 9400 is different to his. They are both under the water storage units

[clintrichmond]

I was just about to do all of this..realized my model is different and heating element is under reservoir..anyway..before taking all of that apart..i lifted up the reservoir, thought i would try to unclog the nozzles first..just took those off..soaked them in vinegar for about 3 mins and shook them around in glass..lots of calcium build up came out of the nozzles..and sure enough..put them on and it works like new! took 5 mins!! recommend trying this first! it may help you too!

[ruboneoff52]

Thanks for posting vid! This was exactly the problem I had. Works like a charm!

[Cazper86]

kronomarine THANK YOU!!! worked out great.. also came to mind that CLR might clean it without having to open it up. by running a CLR/water mixture thru it? just a thought.. (plz dont try this unless you understand it..not sure if it would work or not) may cause damage unless someone can verify this? future reference..

[jerrymconners]

Very nice info and I will try that shortly . One good suggestion when making a video may the slight addition of maybe some lighting. I had to re-watch the video using my "nite-vision goggles"!!!

[FredSolomon]

Thanks, doing one today

[NothingcleverOo]

AWESOME, IT WORKED THANKS FOR PUTTING THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.

[KMHamm]

I have 2 posts below. Read them in reverse order, obviously.

[KMHamm]

More on that. You don't need to pull the handle. Clean the nozzles on the brush side too. You need to hold the back bottom up when you put in those screws. You can try the system with the cover off, but be CAERFUL! Electricity can kill you. Best to have a helper. Preferably an expendable one. A long magnetic screwdriver is a godsend. $3 at Menards. Check the belt and clean the whole unit while you're at it. Mine plugged up with dog hair and this fixed it. Total time doing this is maybe 30 min.

[KMHamm]

Tried this and it wasn't the problem. The problem was with the nozzles plugging. To get at them you need to remove the clear plastic part that sucks up the water. Pull it from the top, not the floor side. The part with the knob is held on by a screw. Remove it. There are 2 small screws under that, 2 in the sides of the place you put the water tank, and 2 by the foot switches. Cover comes off then you look for the nozzles above the brush. Pull the hoses off the nozzles and clean nozzles. .

[GuerreraZorra]

One more than I think I have what I need and hopefully help provide some insight for those who are still having issues like myself.... Because youtube blocks other web address you will need to put the "periods aka dot" back in and remove spaces from between the w's. w w w (dot) newzealand (dot) bissell (dot) c o m /images/IncludeContent/Service­_Center_Help/Troubleshooting_P­roHeat_Protech_7920F.pdf

[GuerreraZorra]

Complete Bissell Repair Manual, pictures and instructions. Because youtube blocks other web address you will need to put the "periods aka dot" back in and remove spaces from between the w's. w w w (dot) bissell (dot) com (dot) au/images/IncludeContent/Servi­ce_Center_Help/Upright_Deep_Cl­eaner_Repair_Guide.pdf

[GuerreraZorra]

You are a God Send! My machine broke a couple of weeks ago, I took it all apart and still couldn't get the sprayer to work. I have brand new carpeting and 3 kittehs... enough said there. This morning I woke up to a mess that needs emergency attention, it's 3 days before Christmas, there's no budget for a carpet machine repair bill. I thought to look here on youtube and here you are... My hero of the morning. I'm going to get a cup of coffee and get ready to follow your instructions. Thanks

[ualemp902]

I had purchased one of these units 6 months ago- used it once and it worked fine. Now that I've gone to use it again, I have this problem. After one use this shouldn't be happening. Very P.O'ed that I have through this procedure- there are too many screws, and I can't get to the last two screws because I don't have a long handled screwdriver. Very irritating...

[vickibannon55]

I have followed your instructions and put everything back together. Same problem :( I would appreciate more of your advice. Thanks

[GuerreraZorra]

@vickibannon55 Same here, I've taken it apart, put it back together, still no flow.

[GuerreraZorra]

Next I'm taking it back apart, checking the nozzles as stated in by another in a comment here. I was wondering if you (video poster) could update the video notes with other further trouble shooting suggestions/FAQ's/answers. I'm also wondering if I can remove the top, put the tank and soap container in position, and then pull the trigger to determine where the flow starts and stops, I'm slightly nervous about the electricity and water part :O

[GuerreraZorra]

I found this site very helpful,w w w (dot) bissell (dot) c o m (dot) au/images/IncludeContent/Servi­ce_Center_Help/Upright_Deep_Cl­eaner_Repair_Guide.pdf

[kjb1582]

For those who have a hard time getting the cover off, there are 2 screws that you can't see deep in holes. Once you unscrew them, the cover comes off easily. Side note: when you clean the intake and out take hoses...only take one off at a time or pay close attention. Mixing them up is not good -- speaking from experience :(

[jmagic32971]

would using CLR calcium cleaner get that stuff out of there . just spray it with a bottle and a little brush would do it ????

[darlenehalton]

Dude!!! You Are My New Hero!!! If this Works, I will send you Money!!!! Thank you, Thank you, A Thousand Times I Thank You!!! God Bless you in a Mighty way for Taking the Time and the Effort you did to Share this... Speaking for Most of us, I Think, it is Very Much Appreciated!!! You Certainly did not Owe Anyone this Information or the Time you took to do it!!!

Be Blessed!!!

[pieprice]

Took the top handle off fine. Cannot get the front cover off the vacuum. Have used tools, have tried sliding it, have enlisted my wife to stabilize the machine....has ANYONE had a problem with this?? I am about 20 seconds from breaking it. That front is not coming off. Please tell me there is a trick that I'm missing....

[meyer529]

This is exactly what my machine is doing! I don't know if it is going to work, but bless you for posting this video! Not knowing how to dismantle the machine was obstacle #1! I'll let you know how it goes....

[countrygurl1978]

have you ever had a problem with it not sucking the water back out of the carpet ? i got one just like the one in the video ... no instructions or anything , can u help me ... am i doing something wrong ? i dont know this model .

[stevefordfreak]

im glad that i run reverse osmosis water in mine....

[auditts100]

had the same problem and nearly through mine away after cleaning it its working as good as new . thanks for the video you saved me alot of money

[bongwapu]

mine never really sprayed water ever since i got mine. its a bissell pro heat dirtlifter powerbrush

[bangiastudios]

I found your video very helpful. I have Bissel pro 2x and in this model the boiler is in the base. I fixed mine after watching your video, thanks.

[TheGentleman2007]

AAAHHHH!!!!!!! I have tore about my Bissel, cleaned everything, called 1-800 Bissell which is in the Philippines, to no avail so I do a search and I get this video closing in on 6 minutes. First 1 minute and 30 seconds to tell me about how you have to Bissells. And on, and on, and on. Show how you take out the screws, pull out the heater element, and show how you clean it......show more, talk less and it would be 3 minutes. Geez; sorry man.....but I wanted to shoot myself; maybe I will.

[NikonOwl]

@kiaora224:

Before you attach the tool to the hose, use a piece of wire or straightened paper clip and insert it in the little black finger that the liquid comes from at the end of the hose. . Mine was not working either, and that is how I fixed it.

[kiaora224]

What about the upholstery cleaner part, the rest of the machine works properly for me but the upholstery tool only sprays out a tiny bit out of the corner and there appears to be no blockages. Worked fine for a month and then it stopped working

[NikonOwl]

AND I SHOULD ALSO ADD:

Yes, I've used only Bissell cleaning products in the machine. Three hours later, it's still working...I can only hope it works tomorrow when the project continues.

[NikonOwl]

UPDATE: On the off chance this will help someone else. I finally discovered the problem with our machine & I hadn't read it anywhere else (including the Bissell site.) The tiny nozzles in both the tool and the sprayers for the carpet were plugged. I discovered this by trying the tool hose WITHOUT the tool attached & it pumped water out. With the tool on, it did not. So I cleared that nozzle first. Then, we checked the nozzles for the floor & cleared both of them. THEN, it WORKED! CHECK NOZZLES!

[NikonOwl]

We have the ProHeat 2X and the water heater was also in the bottom of the machine...under where the water tank sits. We got to the heater, but could NOT get half of the screws out of the heater. They would not budge. Not even with WD40 & my husband's strength. Sucky. Put it back together & now have an expensive, worthless machine. I've always cleaned it thoroughly after use, which hasn't been that many times. Not over half dozen. I'll NEVER buy another Bissell. N.E.V.E.R.

[4eew206]

You just saved me SO much! My model isn't quite the same, so I was a little disappointed to tear into it and not find the heating unit in the top. Mine actually has it buried deep in the bottom of the unit, underneath a maze of hoses. But since I knew what I was looking for, I was able to fix it.

[mom3320]

Thanks so much. Followed video instructions and it works fine. Saved me a lot of money that I don't have to spend on replacements,

[adina1968]

Thanks for sharing! Thanks to you, I was able to fix my shampooer!!

[Mrspinkladies76]

I did everything that this guy said and it is still not spraying to the floor, I can still spray with the upholstry unit but nothing comes out of the bottom. Someone please help!!! I paid to much for this thing to break down on me

[AirScapeFans]

@Mrspinkladies76

I have the same problem. It is driving me crazy trying to figure it out. PLEASE HELP!

[chitah888]

This was so helpful. I did everything Bissel recommended and decided to try this. The heater element is below the water tank in the model with 2 brushes, which I have. I took apart the heater unit and it was completely clogged with dried soap- all the way to the top. I cleaned that out and also cleaned the tubes connected to the heater unit as well as the sprayer units on top of the flat panel under which the heater unit is located. It worked perfectly after that. Thanks so much for the video.

[gimmeapaw]

@chitah888 Hi, I'm also finding out that the heater unit is below the water tank in mine. How did you get to the heater unit? I took the 7 screws out of the black plastic piece that covers the tubes, heater unit, etc. But I still can't get to it bc that black piece is connected in the back. Help! Thanks!

[bstreyle2]

I have a Proheater that would not spray solution and I followed this video. After taking off the handle and the cover (look for all the screws to remove) I opened up the heated and it didn't look too bad except for one spot in the "snaky" channels that looked clogged. I cleaned it and then removed the two hoses. One was clean,but the second one was clogged. Removed the buildup with a piece of wire, put the machine back together and it now works GREAT! Saved me a new machine.

[theknittingmomma]

We cleaned the heater and the two tubes. No spray to the floor yet. Still have spray to the upholstry unit. Any idea what to do to get the floor spray working again?

[effvous]

can anyone help with getting the cover off? I have been trying to pry it off forever, according to the video it snaps off but that is not working for me. I have the exact same model.

[debbie31220]

@effvous THERE ARE 2 SCREWS ON THE BACK THAT ARE HOLDING THE COVER ON. YOU'LL SEE TWO HOLES THAT ARE VERY DEEP AND THERE IS A TINY SCREW IN EACH.

[scrunch80]

Hello...

I have a Bissell Powersteamer which I bought 2nd hand-no inst. booklet. I can't get it to discharge cleaning solution. I can't find a video that matches my machine. I tried to remove bottom to get at heater(if it has one) but couldn't fine enough screws to loosen. Is there a video for this particular model (couldn't find a model number either! It has a 2 selection lever on Lt. side bottom. !. Floor cleaning 2. Tools/Pretreat.

Any help will be appreciated.

MacMan3113

[MrDavidRocke]

Thanks. I took this remedial action. Water was passing through the heater block but when I saw the missing paint inside the heater I realised that it had to be somewhere! I cleaned the heater then removed the spray nozzles. They were full of paint from the heater block! Machine now sprays. I think Bissell should either fit a trap filter or use a more reliable coating inside the heater. Thanks once again.

[Morgena1]

But be surprised when you have to lean the machine from all the pet hair and dust, it’s an absolute nightmare, particularly the brushes underneath the machine and on each side. The little brush on the back the machine blocks up very easy with all the pet hair like it happened to me. 

[ndmoreno]

I love this. I have two units too. . Sheesh. The original and then one I bought refurbished and both ---- stopped spraying water. I opened the first one that is identical to yours and POOF!!! Magic. It's fixed. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love my machine and really couldn't afford another 200.00 dollars to get a third one.

Sooooooooooooooooooo happy. you are great!!!

[LA2LR]

Me: 57 year old female. Bissell: Hadn't sprayed water in months due to soon-to-be-exhusband treating it like a piece of garbage. Found this video. Started taking mine apart last Wed. Couldn't get handle apart. Read comments. Couldn't find heater. Read comments. Found book to Bissell. Had model with heater in bottom. Unscrewed, pulled and tugged and found heater. Cleaned out heater. Used a big paperclip to clean out hoses. Put back together & it works!! Thanks all!

[Imfromaroundtheblock]

I just had a thought after watching this video.........I wonder if, (after your finished using the machine).......Take the detergent container, fill it with a little vinegar mixed with hot water, and flush everything out (sort of like cleaning a coffee maker with vinegar.......Whether or not that would work, I don't know. But judging on this common problem, I'd definitely do that after I used the machine before storing it

[mzlove1974]

@Imfromaroundtheblock

I've wondered the same thing (since that's what we also do with our humidifier to clean out the mineral deposits) BUT... I've hesitated to try it with my ProHeat because of the rubberized seals/gaskets that it's full of. I don't know if the vinegar would eat away at them and just cause more problems down the road. Maybe if it was reallllllly diluted it wouldn't be too bad. I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried this though, and if it helped.

[mzlove1974]

@Imfromaroundtheblock

@Imfromaroundtheblock

I've wondered the same thing (since that's what we also do with our humidifier to clean out the mineral deposits) BUT... I've hesitated to try it with my ProHeat because of the rubberized seals/gaskets that it's full of. I don't know if the vinegar would eat away at them and just cause more problems down the road. Maybe if it was reallllllly diluted it wouldn't be too bad. I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried this though, and if it helped.

[mark40511]

I really LIKE the idea of an on board heater BUT this problem would keep my from buying a Bissell with a heater. I wonder if this is why Hoover doesn't make any of their machines with on board heaters? Anyway, I usually get a huge pot and heat water on the range to near boiling (but not quite) and it works great. How did you clean the white stuff off the heater? You never said? I would imagine it would be somewhat delicate and you would need to be careful as to how you clean it/

[sabbyct]

Wish I had watched your video before I spent 2 hours ripping the hole f-ing thing apart. nice job

[krispykatz]

Thank you for your help!!!!



[scrunch80]

I have Model 8805...no power roller and I suspect no heater. Eventhough it is called "PowerStreamer". My problem is no water comes out when trigger is squeezed. It does have suction because I can see lint in the little filter when used. Water does come out when you finger push the round rubber cup on bottom of "tank-in-tank"

container. I wonder if the problem could be in the trigger?

Any help will be appreciated... hopefully you have the model 8805.

[torres427]

Very helpful video. Bad lighting, though. It was difficult to see what water lines you were pointing at. Its all good, you've guided me in the right direction. Cleaned the heater coil. Good as New. Thanks.

[803davidc]

My Proheat sometime do not suck up water. Do you know what causing it ?

[dopalgangr]

Mine doesnt have that problem but was the solenoid went bad. I replaced it and it worked for a year now has gone bad again, Bissell=junk If only Dyson made these things. Anyway if anyone found there way here you might want to replace this part while you have it apart check the EEBAY and search for 2036761

[jroach6346]

Thank's.  Watching this video and then applying the fix took care of my Bissell. Thank You very much.

[acnewcomb]

Does this also apply if the spray on the floor portion does not spray but the tool part does? Is the tool on a seperate pump?

[MyWineShed]

Dude, you are a genius. Thanks for posting. I got this thing for free and now it works.

[tinycrack77]

Well that's strange. The heater is not in the handle of my machine. It's the same model too! Heater is on the floor section. :(

[tinycrack77]

Thank you very very much for passing this information on. It really really annoys me that these people built these things knowing the coils would get screwed up by CALCIUM like in your video.

[amandahdgn]

Yea I tried to get the bottom apart where the wheels are and It would not come apart at all. I got the handle up top to come off, but the other cover and is really hard to detach. Any suggestions on how to get it apart a little easier?

[CliffForster]

I have the Bissell Proheat 2X - Biggest hunk of junk ever, avoid at all costs.

[amandahdgn]

How do you get the top part off? Mine was not cooperating in coming off.

[kronomarine]

@amandahdgn,

Are you speaking of the handle coming apart? It's a little tricky down towards the wheels, but will come apart.

[amandahdgn]

@kronomarine Yes I was. I cannot figure out how to get the bottom by the wheels off.

[nnvtube]

@kronomarine having the same problem, can't take the top part off. Any tips?

[nnvtube]

@kronomarine having the same problem, can't take the top part off. Any tips?

[effvous]

@kronomarine I am having the same issue with the cover part not coming off? help!

[bpmunn]

@amandahdgn,

I can't get my cover off either. I have 9400 model. I wish someone would post a video of how to remove the cover.

[alsavage1]

@bpmunn

I, too, have a 9400 and the heater is not in the handle -- no water tubes run up there at all -- so don't bother taking it apart.

[andreawindwalker]

@bpmunn if you have two brush rolls in the bottom of a bissell, then the heater is in the bottom of the machine under the water tank. don't recommend opening that machine, it is complicated. if your bissell has only one brush roll, then the heater IS in the handle. use this video for help.

[willmasahiro]

Thanks a million friend, my proheat's not spraying at all. I'm gonna have a go at this ; )

[GarrettWorcester]

CAVEAT! This does not apply to the 9400-9 model, as I just found out.

Does anyone know how to access the heating element in this (9400) machine?

[cbailey781]

Worked. Thanks! Curious if the cleaning solution the root of the problem. I'll probably flush the unit after I use it with clean water or soapy water.

[3084me]

Great video. I'm on well water with low calcium so I don't have a problem like you have.... BUT, my Cleaning "soap" (recently) never goes down!. The take for the solution is fine, the spring loaded "outlet" is fine but for some reason, the soap does not get pulled out of the tank,

I have not had mine apart yet. Have you had this problem?? Any info would be great.

[kronomarine]

@3084me - Sorry, I have not experienced this issue. My only problem with both of my units is the clogging of the heater. I am certain I will experience the problem at some point...

[BelleSapphireGem]

@kronomarine Problem solved. The part where the filter and spinning X are had been screwed on too tight. Such a simple thing. :-)

[PastorPeteOlson]

what so you use to Clean the inside of the unit. You explained about how to clean the hose inlets but not how to clean the inside of the boiler. Do you use a old toothbrush, steel wool, a wire brush? How do you clean the calcium without damaging the inside. Is it safe to use a calcium lime rust remover like CLR? Or do you just clean it with a brush dry? Thank you for the video.

[kronomarine]

Just use a small headed flat tip screw driver and lightly scrape the water channels out. It is easily removed. You will see once you get in there. The hardest part is cleaning out the inlets, they are typically pretty full of buildup. Use a drill bit to clean the inlets out. Good luck!

[BelleSapphireGem]

@kronomarine

Please, do you have any suggestions to 3084me's problem? The formula tank of mine is fine also yet the soap does not come out.  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. :-)

[kronomarine]

@BelleSapphireGem,

Sorry, I have not experienced this issue. My only problem with both of my units is the clogging of the heater. I am certain I will experience the problem at some point...

[jgjfnxdnsdnsns]

that damn heater is the reason i think people should not turn the heater on unless they want calcium buildup

[dlb1201]

very help full !!.I've trying to fix mine for a year and a half thanks!1.

[SeaIsleSupreme]

Nice Video as my unit just stopped this past week. Thank you. Would help to use distilled water. Won't get the white (calcium)goo to clogg everything.