Handle leaks...need new one? - Bissell 7920 ProHeat Pro-Tech Upright Wet/Dry Vacuum

Probably time for a new one, likely to cost almost as much as a new one for it to be looked at without fixing fault.

leaks around the handle

You'll have to find out where it's leaking! Its not real hard. I will help you!

1. Fill the clean water tank. Check that the valve on this tank doesn't let water through when not on the machine. If it does this the tank is the problem.
2. Take off the 4-6 phillips screws holding the hood on to the machine. They will be on each corner underneath. Be Gentle! Do not break any of the plastic parts. Remove the hood.
3. Check where the clean water comes to a L valve. This valve is a very common problem. Place the water tank on the machine. DO NOT hold the handle down. Use paper towel to check for wet spots if you can't see where it is leaking. It should be fairly obvious.
4. If the water is coming from the "back" of the machine or the handle pry the cover off the inside of the handle revealing the hoses. The water release valves may be leaking. Be sure to check all hoses for cracks or breaks. Simply find the water.. and trace it back.

90% of the time it is the L valve which looks like this:

http://www.vacuummedic.com/product.php?id=231

Carefully put the machine back together not forgetting anything and test!

Good Luck!!

Remove the handle and check for continuous spray.
After handle is removed, check to make sure the valve is not stuck in the down position. If the valve is stuck in the down position, push on it manually to get it to come back up. If it is stuck you may need to get a new handle for your unit. This handle is for a variety of the ProHeat models http://www.bissell.com/parts/?sc=part&productid=2775&partid=4449&cid=ccsocial

Check to make sure it will properly fit your model if you need a new handle.

(1) Does water or chemical leak from the tank when filled, but before it is installed? If not, then the tank is OK.
(2) If the tank is not properly aligned to the lower handle when assembled and latched, the black rubber seals on the handle will not seal to the tank. You may wish to look at this. Also, make sure both round black rubber seals are present on the flat mount where the tank valves will sit.

Maybe ...try this ...press the handle release button and lay the handle down to the floor, completely open the unit. There are two 3/4" grayish hoses easily visible at the base, that are parallel to each other. Make sure the hose on the right (if you are standing behind the handle & looking toward the front of the unit is firmly attached to it's little coresponding nozzle. The nozzle is mostly hidden and It's a bit hard to get a good grip on it if your fingers are big. It doesn't take much to knock it loose/apart.) This solved my leakage. Good luck!

The water tanks on this unit have had a very bad history of leaks. Most of the repair people had never heard of this unit, but one did, and had a spare set of tanks. If the unit is still under warranty, it is worth your while to get a replacement unit. Call Eureka, and ask them how to get a replacement unit, especially if you are having more than one issue with the unit (such as leaking, no heat, broken upholstery nozzle, etc.). I had success in sending back the serial number plate and a detailed list of my problems. They sent me a new unit, and I was able to get at least one unit working properly. Some repair men may be able to fix leaks in the seals on the tank. Hold the tank up and if it leaks, well you got your problem! Eureka will not solve your problem, I've discovered they like to let their service depots handle their junk. Most service depots can give you a solution if they are worth their salt. If the service depot can still get tanks, go that direction. If no replacement tanks are available, call Eureka for a whole unit.

There maybe a tube that has come disconnected, depending where the water is leaking. If at the bottom, then take the top cover off and check for a loose tube. If it is leaking where the tank sits on, could be a tube under that platform, or there is a rod inside the handle, when you squeeze the trigger, it pushes a diaghram where the tank sits, If the rod is going up and down, then it is probably ok, but the diaghram on the reservior asm(#48). is staying open allowing water to go thru all of the time. You may have to replace that reservior asm.

Just take the handle off, rermove the 2 screws on the front of the cover, remove the plastic piece on the back of the top, then remove the 2 screws and the top cover will come off. There are 2 screws holding the handle pivot on, remove those. Install the new pivot making sure that it alines with the transmissing on the left side, re-install the 2 screws and make sure they are tight. Then put the rest back together.

Release the handle and lay the machine handle
back to access the Tank.
2. Remove the Tank from the base of the machine by
lifting the Tank carry Handle.
3. Carry like a bucket to the sink. Rotate the Handle
forward to unlatch the lid. Lift off and set the lid aside.
4. Fill up the Bladder with clean hot tap water.
*Do not boil or microwave water as it can
destroy the Bladder.
5. Replace the top of the Tank by matching the lid
and tank edges. Handle must be in the forward
position in order to replace lid. Rotate the handle
to the carrying position to latch the lid.
Note: Remember to secure the lid and test to
make sure it is secure before picking up the Tank.
6. Place tank into machine base, seating firmly in place.
Rotate tank handle back into latched position. Bring
machine handle back into upright position.


1. Lift the formula Tank up and out of the machine base.
2. To fill the Formula Tank, first unscrew the Cap
and Insert. Always use genuine BISSELL formulas
to maximize cleaning and for the safety of your
machine. Fill formula up to the line and replace the
Cap and Insert. Place Formula Tank back into the
base of machine, making sure it is seated securely.
Note: If bottle leaks, check for proper positioning
of red gromment and straw.