Just pumps water through the sole plate and no steam

A steam iron generally produces steam in use as the movement allows water in the reservoir to move around and small amounts will escape into the heated sole plate.

The button to produce extra steam is mostly a small pump similar to those found in trigger sprays and hand soap bottle pumps and this is connected to the sole plate by a small-bore hose. It is far from unknown for one or more of the little hose(s) to become disconnected, often because of a limescale build up - even though the modern steam iron is advertised as needing only tap water, this is suitable only in soft water areas. Irons used in hard water areas tend to have a much shorter life so an alternative is advised.

My description doesn't apply to every steam iron - in some older designs the extra steam button opened a valve in the bottom of the reservoir to allow water to gravity feed into the sole plate. Although almost exclusively found on irons from the premium end of the market they were a nightmare of rods and rubber seals no longer lasting or reliable than those with a cheap plastic pump.

Clearly your iron needs dismantling and repairing if you can do this yourself, or replacing if you can't due to the disproportionately high repair shop cost. Some years ago my wife gave up on premium irons and began to buy the cheapest and was at first happy to replace them fairly often saying she found them no better or worse than the expensive ones. The first couple only lasted a couple of years each but the last one is now six or seven years old and still going strong.

Follow These Steps

1. Mix water and baking soda. Make a paste of 1 tablespoon water and 2 tablespoons baking soda.
2. Apply the paste to the iron. ...
3. Wipe iron clean. ...
4. Clean steam holes. ...
5. Re-fill the reservoir. ...
6. Turn on the steam. ...
7. Pour out the liquid.

How to Clean an Iron Video and Steps - Real Simple

https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/clean-iron How can clean the ceramic sole plate of my iron Google Search

Try cleaning the iron with vinegar. Here is a link to show you how.
Cleaning Clogged Steam Iron

The iron needs to be taken apart and cleaned,the thermostat switch contacts need resurfacing for better contact and the sole plate needs unblocking and a good clean out,at this time any deteriorated seals can be replaced and the spray pump can be checked for blockages,any loose sole plate screws can be tightened and that should do it,good as new all that's left is to reassemble''

Len

Self-Cleaning and Maintaining Sole Plate

Use the self-cleaning feature once a month by moving the steam lever back and forth from the "dry" setting several times. This will remove any residue from the steam valve and ensure that the steam system works properly.

Wipe the sole plate with a soft, damp cloth while the iron is cool and unplugged.

Run the iron over a cotton cloth several times to remove any residue from the sole plate.

Cleaning Anti-Calcium Feature

Fill the water cup that came with your iron. Use enough water to reach the Sunbeam logo in the top corner of the cup.

Add a teaspoon of salt to the cup and stir.

Empty the salt solution into the water reservoir in your iron.

Allow the iron to stand for 15 minutes, then empty out the water reservoir.Repeat this cycle with a second cupful of salt water.

Rinse out the reservoir with clean water. You should perform this cleaning once a month.

Hi,

If the iron doesn't heat, make sure power is on to the outlet, check the electrical chord, and check the thermostat and replace if necessary.

If the iron heats but steams improperly, inspect the soleplate and clean the vents and flush sediment out of the steam chamber .
If the iron produces too much or too little heat, test the electrical chord . Also test and, if needed, adjust calibration of the thermostat.
If the iron does not spray properly, inspect and clean the nozzle.
If the iron leaks or spits, clean the steam vents, nozzle, and tank.
If the iron sticks to fabric, clean or repair the sole plate. If the iron stains fabric, clean the sole plate, clean the tank with a commercial cleaner, and use distilled or filtered water.

The tools you will need are

• Screwdrivers
• Toothpicks or pipe cleaners
• Sewing needle
• Commercial electric iron cleaning solution or vinegar and water
• Commercial sole plate cleaner or baking soda and water
• Steel wool
• Emery cloth

Please rate my solution.

If you have hard water, there will be a buildup of minerals where the rubber gasket on the water tank meets the steam chamber that is built into the sole plate. This will make the rubber gasket surface become hard and no longer seak to the team chamber, resulting in water leaking from the tank onto the outside of the iron.

If you are reasonably skilled with tools and have a Torx T20 driver, you can disassemble the iron and remove the rubber gasket between the tank and the steam chamber and soak it in vinegar to remove the mineral scale. First remove the three Torx screws visible at the rear of the iron and gently pry off the gray rear cover plate. This will expose two screws holding the rear end of the sole plate. Remove those two screws. Then gently pry off the stainless steel nose piece on the front of the iron; this is the curved piece that says "high precision" on it. This will then expose the screw that holds the front of the sole plate on the handle. Remove thqt screw. Pull the black connector at the rear of the iron off the two rods to which it is attached, and you can move the sole plate away from the handle. The rubber piece in the handle that is sort of oval shaped and about 2 inches long is the gasket that is probably causing the leak. Gently remove it and soak it in vinegar to remove the scale, and remove the scle from the round hole where it meets the steam chamber in the sole plate. .When they are clean, reassemble the gasket onto the handle and the sole plate onto the handle, connecting the electrical connections, and replace the screws, It is not simple, but it is doable.

This IS a steam iron? The iron must be hot for the steam to form. If it's not hot enough, the water is leaking thru the steam holes. Also if the channels are calsified (boiler stone has formed into the steam channels) this may happen.

If there is water pouring from the bottom, chances are the element or sole plate are not heating the water to turn it into steam.

I suspect that by placing it on its heel rest the water from the tank is not allowed to enter into the steam chamber and when you go into ironing mode there is a rush of water that is cooling down the sole plate to below steaming temperature. Try keeping it in the horizontal position on a heat proof pad and press the steam button just before going into ironing mode.