Out Out Damn Screw (How To Loosen a Stuck Screw?)

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launderess

launderess

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My new vintage Pfaff ironer comes equipped with a steam boiler. As there seems to be all sorts of gunk and growth in the tank it needs to be descaled and flushed with anti-mildew to clean things out. There is just one problem, the screw that holds the plug to the tank won't budge!

Have been spraying/soaking the darn thing with WD-40 for almost an hour now and still no movement. Would love to take a whack at the allen key to put a bit more "moxie" on things, but as the housing is plastic, (not sure of the tank), am afraid of damage.

Leaving the tank as it is, is not an option because as the ironer heats it stinks from the tank.

Suggestions?

Launderess
 
Thanks gang for all your suggestions.

Hammer was a last ditch attempt! *LOL*

Wish it was a regular screw, so could use an "impact" screw driver.

On the theory that since the screw extends up into the boiler tank and forms part of the "plug", it may be sized up by the aformentioned gunk inside the tank. To this end just filled the boiler with descaling fluid (white vinegar) and let it run a cycle. Will leave the fluid in for several hours and try then try again.

Worse comes to worse the boiler tank is designed to be left full, so can leave the fluid in there a few days until either I can get the drain screw out,or pump it out.

Prolly will stay up late and call Pfaff in Germany on Friday morning, and see what they have to say on the matter.

On the good side the descaling treatment worked, and all the gunk inside was dissloved. Fluid went from murky/gross/cloudly to clear. It appears the last owner left the tank full of water and it just sat there, mouldering away. Really hope the screw is not rusted in place within the tank. That would entire taking the ironer apart and replacing the entire tank.

Launderess
 
There is always more than one way to skin a cat.

Simply got tried of messing about and took the cover off the boiler chamber. From there was able to detach the boiler itself and drain the fuilds contianed therein.

From the looks of the fluid and subsequent flushing, there seems to be quite a bit of rust/sediment in the boiler chamber, besides the foul mildew. Why don't people take care of their appliances?

Anywho, as my original goal (cleaning out the boiler) was achived, reattached the boiler and it's cover so now that is that. Rarely use steam when ironing anyway, as I prefer "dry" ironing, so not being able to empty the chamber via the drain screw isn't a huge problem. Should I decide to use the steam boiler, will use distilled water in small amounts. Any remaining water can remain until next use (according to the owner's manual, water may remain for up to two weeks). Or, will just leave boiler cap off and allow the water to evaporate on it's own.

May consider ordering another boiler chamber from Pfaff. Besides the cost, there was lots of wiring down there and not sure if I want to "go there".

Thanks for the help guys.

L.
 
Uh-oh!

Distilled water is free of impurities and WILL NOT boil. Instead it reaches a VERY HIGH temperature and is "unstable"; touch it with something and it will literally explode! That's how people have been scalded BADLY by jarring a cup of distilled water in a microwave...it literally exploded in their face! In your iron with the boiling tank, the results might be worse.

I also caught an episode of MythBusters where they covered this--and proved it! Bottom line: Don't attempt to boil distilled water!
 
Westy,

Thanks for the information, but do not think the "boiler" on my ironer actually boils water, but only makes steam. As the directions like most all steam irons claim one can use distilled water, hopefully they have taken steps to avoid any potential risks.

Have seen experiments regarding "super heated" water,microwaves and explosions. IIRC the problem usually is the type of container being used in the process. Apparently if the water has nothing to "cling" to as it heats, it will over heat. One suggestion was to insert some type of microwave safe rod into the container, this gives water something to cling to.
The other suggestion was to change the container.

Again, thanks for all your suggestions.

L.
 
Laundress,

Are we understand now that you are finally admitting you have a screw loose?

:)

j/k

Dave
 

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