how do i remove the cap of a karcher steam cleaner?

Be VERY gentle if using mole grips on a stuck pressure cap, or you may shear the cap off the circular plastic retaining ring above the threads. That ring is spot-welded in place, and holds the whole thing together. If you’ve already sheared it, clean up the parts, and get some duct tape ready. Re-assemble the cap, & carefully apply a two-pack epoxy glue only to the very edges of the ring and the shelf it sits on, or you’ll glue the whole thing together and stop it working properly. Use the tape to bind it all together and overcome the internal spring pressure while it’s setting.

The Fixer
May 2020

Thank you Andy B, that worked! Just had the same issue, did exactly as you suggested and - voila!

Yulia
May 2017

Thanks Andy B. I was just about to give up and tried this. It worked!

MSJ
August 2016

I had the same issue. To be honest, I had not used the steam cleaner for 3 months and had left the cap in place. I followed the instructions in the advice to depressurise the device. I even turned it on again and made sure any residual water was turned to steam and exhausted. In that condition the cap turned easily as the safety worked, but of course the cap did not open. once cold again the cap was jammed as before. Conclusion, the cap is corroded/limescaled in place. The cap is difficult to grip due to the plastic moulding around it, so I used a set of mole-grips to get greater leverage and gentle eased the cap anticlockwise. This worked with minimal effort so did not damage the cap or thread.

Andy B
September 2015

Make sure the machine is completely cold - pull the steam trigger to see, then press the cap down hard as you turn it.

John
September 2009