Water/shampoo not coming out

If you are using the correct shampoo then the tank my need to be replaced. They will clog if tank wasn't cleaned after last used. Check that the dial is open and both filters are in place , add water and shampoo and test without the hose connected . If you still have no suds coming out then just order a new tank.

If NO water or shampoo is coming out , then tank may be clogged . Check the On / Off valve that it opens and the filters are clean and in the correct location. If that fails then tank is clogged from shampoo being left inside the tank.

The Scotchguard is going to be dicey inside the Bissell, yes, as you have learned the hard way.

I think the Bissell and the Hoover shampoos sold for their carpet cleaning machines are reasonably safe to use in the Bissell. My own personal favorite for use with the Bissell is the Hoover Premium Pet Formula, which is pricey but effective even if you don't own pets. I also pre-treat stained areas with Resolve Carpet Cleaner, a few minutes before using the Bissell.

I don't know what will happen with your home brew containing Dove. It may work well.

If this is pre-owned unit that you bought - it may be clogged. If people who had it did not rinse shampoo solution out of the system after using it - shampoo becomes thick and sticky when dry and may clog the tubes. Also it may impair the pump.

Pump may also be defective. It should make a humming noise while in operation. It is hard to hear when vacuum is on so take the Rainbow with water bowl of the white AQM basin, turn on the vacuum while AquaMate is still plugged in, put your hand on the black plastic on the white AquaMater water nontainer and you should feel pump vibrating inside.

If you feel it start with filling up the white tank and bottle with warm water, turn AQM on and try rinsing it. However if water can not get through at all - it will not help.

Then take the handle apart (a bit tricky but be careful ant to break the plastic and you will get it open). See if there are no clogs there. in tubes nor the VALVE.

If no clogs fing - you will have to acces the pomp and few short tubes inside this plastic box assembled onto the water tank. to get it open you may have to break off 4 latches that hold top halve to the bottom. You can purchase one HERE. Make sure that tubes inside are not bent at the sharp angle and obstructing the flow. If you need any tubing - you can find it cheap at Home Depot (have a sample with you so you pick the right diameter).

Clean all tues inside and you possibly will have to take the pump apart to get it cleaned. If it is not working you can buy one HERE.

Stil no luck - put EVERYTHING in a plastic bag or several bags and then in a box and ship it to us - we will get it running.

Good Luck,
Rocky
:-)

Often times I see the pumps clogged with soap when acting like you described. This can cause a pump to be weak. Pressure builds up whe you stop squirting water but tapers off quickly. A few times I've been able to get water flowing good but most times have to replace the pump.

Take off the 2 spray nozzles and blow thru them, they may be clogged. You ay also try running a mix of water and vinegar thru it to help clean out the lines. May have a bad pump.

Does the water come out of the tank by pushing in the valve at the bottom? If it does, then you could have a clog somewhere and taking it all apart is the only way to find it, but you could first try running a mix of vinegar and water to see if that will clear out the lines. The other is a bad pump and soleniod.

When you put the top back on, did the piston line up and go into the hole? The piston mounts on the smart mix knob from the bottom, just before the top is on, put the smart mix knob in the water only setting, then push the top down. You could also have pinched a line if any of them aren't in the right place.

There is a heating element much like a radiator inside the handle unit that is clogged. The water travels from the tank thru the heater and back down to the jets. You'll need to take the heater apart to clean it. You may need to check the hoses to and from the water pump also.

If your floor cleaner doesn't spray, chances are the heater unit is clogged. It is easy to fix if you have a few simple tools and are mechanically inclined.

Steps to fix:

- The heater unit is located inside the body of the machine, behind the power/heater switches. Remove 6 screws and split the case open.
- The silver metal "box" inside is the heater unit. Take note of how the hoses and wires are connected. Better yet, take a digital photo for reference.
- Remove the wires and hoses.
- Take the box to a work bench, and unscrew the 6 or 7 screws that hold on the lid. Don't lose the red washers that are found on the inside of the box that keep water from leaking out of the screw holes
- You'll see a "maze" where the water runs around to get heated up. Clear this of all debris. The inlet and/or outlet ports may also be clogged. I used an appropriate sized drill bit mounted on an electric screwdriver to carefully "drill" out the clogs. Make sure all the debris has been removed. I used an electric screwdriver because my 18v DeWalt hammer drill would have been overkill :)
- Reassemble to box
- Rewire and plumb the box according to your notes or reference photo.
- Put the machine back together.

Doing this saved me a $85 repair and took 30 minutes. My machine now works perfectly.