dude there are 5 screws to take motor out. I used lime away spray instead of a baster. After a few minutes and a little smacking on the pump it really began to vibrate and pulse. Thanks for the video! You did a great job getting to the point. Just left out the fifth screw on the motor way back on the right and how difficult that first red plastic piece is to loosen.

Thank you, thank you!! I almost gave up because it wasn't working, but I left vinegar in the tube for a few days because I needed a break from the project. The next time I tried, it only took about a minute and I heard the pump engage. I was able to clean the carpet today. Yay! The only disadvantage to waiting so long in between was remembering where all of the screws went. haha

Your video was a lifesaver! It took some soaking with hot water and quite a bit of banging, but I managed to get the pump working again. I hope more people see this video because there are no troubleshooting guides that cover pump failure, which appears to be the most common issue with this model.

This is a design flaw! Who wants to do all this especially for the price we paid for these machines

Thank you SO MUCH. You have my model and problem- mine hasn’t been used for almost two years and your video has helped me get on with life instead of spending it looking online for a solution.

Mr Thayer, thank you for taking the time to post this! It is so nice to FINALLY find a solution that, like you said, was NOT posted anywhere else. God Bless, my friend.

THanks for making the Video. Just pulled out the rug doctor 300x and no go on the spray. Will be trying this out.

Strong work Meredith thanks for helping your old dad out.

Thanks for this. You got me with “hit it with a hammer, but that didn’t work for me”. Ready to hit mine with a sledgehammer want dump it at the curb. I do appreciate your ingenuity to get yours working again.

Thanks for making this video. I have a rug doctor in my attic that I can't pay any vacuum repair shops to even look at. It was in excellent working order until I let a friend borrow it. It stopped spraying and never sprayed again. So I'm not entirely sure what to do, but I will definitely give your tips a try and see if it helps. Thank you! Thank you!

THANK YOU! I moved a ton of living room furniture and turn the thing on with no spray. Got the thing up and running in about an hour. As I was taking off the many screws I was praying I didn't have to do the turkey baster. A few knocks on the pump all it took. For mine I had 5 screws holding the down the motor and the back right screw was hard to get to so had to take off control board so another 2 screws.

Thank you! I pulled the pump apart and serviced it with some lube and cleaned all the parts. Very simple to pull apart and clean.

Doug: I was having the exact issue and your explanation was very helpful. I was about to toss the rug doctor, but I thought I would give it a try and it worked although not immediately. Instead of a turkey baster, I used a funnel with a hose attached to the pump line. In order to prime the pump (get the air out of the line), I put my finger over the tube inside the funnel for a few seconds and released (repeated multiple times). I also tapped on the pump with a hammer, finally after about 10 minutes of run time, the pump started to catch and water started to flow. You saved me the cost of a new Rug Doctor, thank you.

Awesome video! Thank you! I had removed the pump motor and planned to replace it. Your tips in the video brought it back to life and saved me at least $100! Great job!

Just fixed my unit thanks to you!!! $300+ is what I saved. Thanks a whole lot!

I have a commercial rug doctor that was left in a foreclosure flip house. Soaking the pump in hot water WORKS! Great tip.

Doug, you saved the day...and my wife thinks I'm a genius. I did exactly what you suggested, all the way down to the hot steaming water/turkey baster routine...and it worked. Of course I had to bang on the pump a few times, but I'm back in business - hopefully. Thanks so much to both you and Meredith!

Perfect. This exact situation occurred with my old rug doctor. Great explanation!

Great video Doug! I went through the same steps you did initially before I found your video. Reverse flushing with warm water and tapping the pump even slightly was what did the trick for me. I now think what happens if you don't use the machine in a while (like in my case over two years), everything dries out too much, and even the slightest bit of deposit inside the pump gets it stuck. So the combination of warm or hot water and some "encouragement" loosens it enough to get it going again. Thanks again!

Most certainly a design flaw. However, with the help of YOUR video and hella patience I was able to get the hand tool working! 🙌🏾 my machine sat for about 5 years with no use.

Thank you! It works great. I use tire compressor force air into the intake hose and tap several times. Saved me $500.

Thanks for taking the time to make this video Doug. Don't know how I would have taken it apart without your easy instruction. However, neither the hot water or vinegar in the pump overnight worked. Saw a video by Randy Weaver on how to unstick the pump by disassembly and cleaning the corrosion from the parts. Between the two of you, the repair was a success. Great video.

I just went through this today with mine after not using it for 6 or so months. Worked great. Thank you Doug!!!

Ours had been sitting in the shed for almost 2 years cause the pump quit . Rented a few times but started looking to get a new one. Upon looking I noticed a lot of people with the same problem. So I figured there has to be a video showing how to fix this. Sure enough I stumbled across yours. Mine just took some hits on the pump and she is running like new. Thanks a lot!

Thank you kindly, sir. Based on the information reported here, I got under the machine and whacked the area where the pump is with the rubberized handle of a screwdriver. Within less than a minute, it was spraying & sucking again. Thank you very much for this report!

Cannot thank you enough for this video!! This absolutely saved our machine! Took me a bit to get it back together, but it's working just like new! Thanks again!!!

I used a framing hammer, hit it a few times lightly and it worked. Pump turned on, put it all together and started working immediately. Thanks for the Tip!

Dropping in to say THANK YOU! I didn't think it would work but it did! I sprayed WD-40 in there, and it took about 10 minutes and 30 WHACKS before it kicked back on. Saved me about $400!

Thanks for this video I followed your advice and it's now working perfectly again!

This video was a life saver! Worked perfectly to fix my machine. Thank you!!

Thank you so much for this video! Rug Doctor was not helpful for me at all. You're directions were easy to follow and my rug cleaner works perfectly

Thank-you so much. I only used mine 1 time. When I went to use it again the pump was frozen. Thank you for the video. Its works great now

The rubber mallet method worked for me, but thanks for sharing, the comments alone are worth gold sometimes

Thank you very much instead of the turkey baster I used a steam cleaner with a very small high pressure nozzle cleared it instantly.👍🏼

Thanks. I feel like I've been to hell and back today. I stood on the brush area platform (104 lbs) and yanked the dang largest red part off. Then that top red part kind of fell off. I couldn't figure out where you were saying to hit the rubber mallet. I got it all apart and just could get the motor screws. I kicked it to get it back together. It now just a wet vac and I use a squirt bottle.

Thank you thank you I have been so frustrated with this thing but followed what u said and working fine now!!

Thank you so much for this! My sister got a used one that had this issue. Using the warm water got it going. I did add some vinegar to help things along and it took maybe a minute to work.

Thanks so much for this video as i definitely thought my unit was dead. Luckily flushing mine with hit water was enough to get it going as they appear to have added a fifth screw holding in the engine and it is almost entirely unaccessible, so i wasn't able to hit the pump with a hammer. You're a lifesaver!

Great job I learned what I needed to know and she worked that camera great job young lady!

I decided, since you ran hot water through the pump on "Tool", I would just do that with the attachment. It worked!! I have to make sure that is performed after every use!! By the way, this is actually Bill's wife, Hope!

Awesome video, and I had to do the same thing. Only diff I used a "Cajun Injector" instead of baster (more pressure) and no soaking required. THANK YOU Sir! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! And happy Labor Day!

Thank you so much. Your Daughter did a great job 🎉

Thanks. Just followed the hot fluid tip to get rug doctor spraying

I LOVE my Rug Doctor and have had it for about 6 years. Never had this problem and borrowed it out often...maybe that's why it didn't plug. I moved in a house where EVERY room is carpeted except for guest bathroom and entry hall so I wanted a good rug scrubber. But...now it doesn't want to spray. Had a HARD time also finding any help and typed in KZfaq and there you were with my machine. I'm 67 years old...but I'm going to give it a try...will let you know how it goes.

I did all that thank you for the try mine is heading where it belongs out to a dumpster. This is the third rug doctor machine I have had that has been a piece of junk. Not only will I never buy another one of their machines I will never even buy their solutions again

Thank You My Friend, yes mine stop spraying, you made it simplifying for me, I didn’t want to buy another but didn’t know they stop making this model, this is worth bringing it back to life, it’s compact, easy changing water, and emptying water, only a few motor parts, to run it, and power suckion and spray, it was worth the 500$ bill 💵 back when, car rugs car mats, couch lazy boy car sets etc, it does the job, city’s using for fleet vehicles, that tells you something about, endurance, thx 🙏🏻

Thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed!

Youre a hero for making this video! Thank you

Great video ty so much. great camera work too. She zoomed in at the right times and such. I'm gonna do what the other guy did & just turn it over & bang on it. I used to sell ladies items that took batteries & those too will not work after sitting around too long I told my customers just smack it around a little bit. 😅 so i kinda thought that's what it was before I even watched your video but thanks see you guys I'm going to be cleaning my carpets in a minute

Finally a solution! About to take mine apart now!

Thank you for this video, it was the exact problem I was having with my machine and the only thing I did different was using one of my son's old feeding tube syringes instead of a turkey baster. :) Thumped it a few times and watched it pull the plunger right down. THANKS!

Thank You so much my friend for doing an awesome job and your daughter as well!!! GFR

I just got my parents old Royal 7910 carpet extractor from them since they were using a commercial grade shampoo machine and no longer the 7910. So after many years of sitting my pump wasnt working either. So took all apart, didnt see any issues but I banged on the pump a few times then put everything somewhat back together then tested itnext day. Right off the bat the wand was spraying, so now Im going to actually put it completely back together and then check to see if it will spray on the carpet. But, yeah, sometimes when things sit for long periods especially pumps, they can lock up. I didnt need to add hot water but that was a pretty cool trick. Glad to see that both of ours was an easy fix and neither cost anything to repair. Well Im off to see if my carpets are getting cleaned today. Good video btw!!

Thank u bc I was lost!! About to try this now!!

Great stuff. Best video I've seen doug.

I got mine to work again. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!

Ugh, what a pain in the a$$! Thank you so much for figuring this out and sharing your info!

Cant believe RugDr tell you to run it and hit the pump with a hammer! fortunately I didnt need a turkey baster - thank you for your time creating this - its saved alot of money and I only have 1 spare screw.

Did this method and it worked great! Thanks

Thanks for the information and video. Don't know if this might help someone else, but I substituted CLR (Calcium, Lime, & Rust Remover) Pro (a stronger version of CLR) instead of water and it worked very quickly--still took a couple of taps on the pump to get going. I imagine household CLR will work, but may take longer. Just run some plain water through your turkey baster and it should be fine. Thanks again!

Thank you for video. I’ll try it I’m storing my rug doctor in my garage. Everything works but the spray and I’m either going to pitch it or try this because it’s been so long.

Thanks for the video-just what the (rug) doctor ordered!

Thank You this helped a lot.

Thank you sir. I was able to fix mine!!!

This crap stop working after one use wanted to use it again after 2 years and guess what not working and warranty lapsed. Thanks for the video I have managed to unblock it and I’m busy cleaning carpets

Thanks for the video, Doug. Kudos to you for saving a lot of folks money - me included. I had the same issue with mine, and your video saved me from replacing the pump (I did find one video from Rug Doctor that showed how to replace the pump, but didn't tell how to fix the problem, like you did). Instead of the turkey baster idea, I went with a portable steam cleaner with a very small nozzle to provide the hot water to the pump. I also needed to use the same steam cleaner to clean out the front spray valve before I was able to get it to work. Again, thank you and Meredith for making the video!

I have this same machine, right out of the box it did this, I just plugged in the upholstery tool with some hot water, after a few trigger pulls the pump kicked in. Every time I use mine I run straight water through on the last tank to clean out the pump and lines of any soap residue which I believe is what causes this. The reason it happened out of the box is they test each machine off the floor and they all sit in storage until sold. My upholstery tool had a few drops of water still in the lines when I opened it. It was brand new not used as well To save the time of taking these apart, just run clean water through the pump and sprayers

That worked... thanks!!

Thank you for the video

My pump is okay. However I do need to replace the bottom suction area. So this vid will come in handy.

I managed to get the pump working just by banging the cleaner on the floor a few times without taking it apart. This video is useful if that doesn’t work.

Hi Doug 👋 So did all of this it still dont work 😕 were can I get a pump Bought this in 2018 it worked great a year ago Thank you for the video 😊

Hi Doug. Thanks for your great video. My machine wasn't spraying after storage for a few years. I was fully prepared to take the machine apart but based on your tips I tried something simpler. I just turned the machine upside down and hit the area on the underside where you showed me where the pump was with a rubber hammer.....and guess what it worked! I wouldn't have had a clue but for your video so thanks. Cheers Ian (from the UK)

Hi would this be the correct way to fault fined all rug doctor motor problems or just this model please. I have a rug doctor mighty pro x3 that doesn't come on and the power/reset button is in on position constantly, I have tried knocking the power/reset button free with a rubber mallet/hammer as advised by rug doctor with no success unfortunately, I would appreciate any advice/tips etc if you don't mind. Thankyou great video.

How did you get around the boost spray knob copper piece after you removed the knob??😮

I just fixed mine by forcing water through the nozzle hose AND intake port. Only disassembly was to the nozzle. Also used a large syringe instead of turkey baster. Might be worth a try before diving into the guts of your machine

If the tool works ok, could it still be the pump? We've taken apart and cleaned but no luck getting water to come out for the carpet function or the super boost.

Hey, we need to put the cover the front cover back on the brush cover for. It sucks up the water.

Great video I have the exact same unit. The unanswered question is; Is there anything someone can do to preclude this from happening if you don't have to use the machine on a regular basis? Comments and ideas always welcome.

Hi Doug, I’m thinking I’m missing a gasket. My machine is leaking at the insertion port for the tool near the handle. Can you tell me it show me if there’s something I’m missing?

Can youplease sow me w to do if the machine is making a very loud noise i think is the belt?

I'm on it....wish me luck. Thanks! :)

Cant get the top plastic to slide over the spray boost knob peg without breaking the plastic. Any tricks?

Our rug doctor stopped spraying after cleaning 2 carpets. Do you think it could block up during use, or do you think the pump could be cream crackered?

August 10, 2023! I have spent parts of the last 4 days trying to get the damn thing apart. Same exact unit. Hint. I was tapping with a rubber hammer and broke the lower tang off the spray boost thing! Have not been able to get the thing apart. Took off the panel on the bottom and was able to get the power spray tip off the back. Then used a squeeze bulb to force hot soapy water into the black tube. It came out the front nozzle behind the brushes but the pump will still not run. I'd drop it in the Ohio River but would get arrested for polluting! My venting is done! LOL

THANK YOU!!!

This is so helpful , all my took was just a bump of the end of a big screwdriver, thank you so much !

Hi Doug. Great Video. Our Rug Doctor pump is spraying fine on "carpet mode", but the hand tool is not spraying. I've cleaned the hand tool and hose. When I press the hand tool to spray, the water is leaking out (onto the carpet and soaking it) beneath the area where you plug and lock in the small clean water line. Do you have any suggestions??? I'll keep looking for more videos but you're the man!

Thank you!

Put this thing away for several years in the basement and get it all ready to use again.. spray no go. Tried all the low hanging fruit by checking the jet for clog and trying to get some hot water in the pump in hopes of bringing it back to life. Nope. Pulled the engine out, smacked the top of pump 6 times with a rubber mallet while on rug setting with spray button depressed and bob's yer uncle. Getting the plastic off to get to the engine was hell.. had to pry and hammer it off. Don't be afraid to get ignorant with it.. tough plastic will take a beating no problem.

Is it boiling water or just hot water? Would the hot water from a Kerig be too hot?

Would the designer get back to me so I can slap you? An access hatch to the pump would be nice. I had to disassemble the pump. About 50lbs of force got the valve/piston loose. Sotch bright pad used to clean inside of brass tube, outside of valve. Reassemble and good to go.

Excellent video. Pump is work for the rug part. Just not the attachment. Any suggestions.

Bless you

Awesome thanks!

Anyone know how fix the low suction on the upholstery attachment tool?

How do you remove the brush guard?

Doug I can’t get the arm back on at the bottom of the rug doctor. Can u help me

Thank you!!!!

I went to do this but decided to try running half a bottle of Keurig descaling solution. Had no spray from anything, bottom or boost sprayer. I tried vinegar, it did nothing. Poured the descaling solution where the tank drops in the machine. Watched for bubbles and would turn it on and try to spray for a few then turn it back off. After 5 minutes I turned it on hit the button and it sucked the solution through and started spraying.