VBM Steam/Hot Water Valve Gasket Repair

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  • Note: The instructions below are for the older style VBM models before 2020.

Repairing the valves is not too difficult. If the gasket is being removed from the valve stem and the valve can not, we believe this problem is caused by the vacuum pressure in the valve pulling the closing end gasket out of its cavity due to too much grease on the gasket and in the cavity.

If your machine is leaking from the holes in the steam tip or the hot water wand maintains a constant drip, the closing end gasket may be worn and can be turned around one time. After the first time, it needs to be replaced.

There are 3 different closing end gaskets. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO CHECK INSIDE THE MACHINE’S VALVE BEFORE ORDERING AS WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU ORDER THE INCORRECT GASKETS.

To complete this operation, you will need:

  • 1 large crescent wrench
  • 1 medium crescent wrench
  • A few paper towels and/or a couple of pieces of soft cloth
  1. Turn machine off and release steam completely through the wand.
  2. Fold 2 pieces of soft cloth or 2 portions of paper towel to use as a lining between the metal of the crescent wrenches and the chrome of the steam valve. (Fig 1)
  3. While holding in place the round part of the valve with the large wrench, use the medium wrench to loosen the chrome nut of the steam valve. It should just take a little turn before it is loose enough to loosen by hand. Make sure the round part (closest to the face of the machine) you’re holding with the other wrench doesn’t turn. (Fig. 2)
  4. Finish loosening the nut by hand. (Fig. 3)
  5. Remove the shaft by unscrewing the knob. (Fig. 4)
  6. Use a sharp tool such as an ice pick to pull the soft closing gasket out of the inside of knob part assembly. (Fig. 5 and 6)
  7. Wipe the closing gasket and the cavity it sits in free of grease.

At this point, you can follow steps 9 – 12 to reassemble to valve to see if the problem has been corrected. If it has not, continue with the following steps after repeating steps 1 – 7.

  1. Using a sharp blade or utility knife, remove a sliver of the gasket – approximately 1 mm deep and ½ mm wide. (Fig. 7)

To reassemble the shaft:

  1. Re-insert the gasket, wide part toward the interior of the cavity (knob part of the assembly).
  2. Align the shaft with the valve and screw in the knob until just after it catches the threads.
  3. Tighten the chrome nut until it is finger-tight but snug.
  4. Screw down the knob until it is snug – not as hard as you can – but just until you feel the gasket you just cleaned engage with the interior of the valve.

Fig 1

A close-up of a wrench tightening a plumbing valve wrapped in a blue cloth, with tools and supplies visible in the background—ideal for steam valve gasket repair. © 2025 1st-line.com

Fig 3

A person uses their hands to install or adjust a metal component with a black plastic knob on a machine, possibly performing hot water valve gasket repair. A gauge is visible in the background.

Fig 5

A close-up of a hand holding a spark plug while cleaning its electrode with a small tool in a workshop, similar to the careful precision needed in steam valve gasket repair. © 2025 1st-line.com

Fig 7

A close-up of a hand holding a clove of garlic on a blue cloth while a knife slices into it, reminiscent of the precision needed in VBM gasket repair. © 2025 1st-line.com

Fig 2

Close-up of a wrench gripping a bike part, with a blue cloth protecting the surface—similar care used in steam valve gasket repair. Shelves with tools are visible in the blurry background. © 2025 1st-line.com

Fig 4

A close-up of hands assembling or repairing a metal plumbing fitting, possibly a faucet, with tools and various items visible in the background, highlighting a VBM repair or replacement of a hot water valve gasket. © 2025 1st-line.com

Fig 6

A close-up of a person holding a small translucent cylindrical object—ideal as a VBM Valve Gasket—between their thumb and index finger. © 2025 1st-line.com

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