scooba tank latch won't open

adobebb · Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 1

I can't get the tank off the scooba 5800. 'The latch mechanism is not releasing. Any ideas

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3099 Location: Louisiana

Is this a new 5800 ? If so you can use a butter knife and insert the blade between the tank and the Scooba base. Press the tank release and twist the butter knife to make the tank release.

nine · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 80

That pop up latch is such a bad design...

Jeff Carver · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 94 Location: Massachusetts

Is the scooba on a flat surface? I've found that if mine is at an angle, like halfway into the sink, it will sometimes not release because some other part (the bumper, I believe) interferes.

Savy Gran · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: California

Did the butterknife trick work for you? I hate to try this on such a new unit and void my warranty.

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3099 Location: Louisiana

Using a butter knife on your Scooba to add tension to the release mechanism will not void your warranty.

roombareview · Joined: 25 Dec 2003 Posts: 701

Savy Gran wrote: Did the butterknife trick work for you? I hate to try this on such a new unit and void my warranty.

I had the exact same problem when I first received my Scooba 335. I had to use a butterknife to pry it open the first few times, but eventually the latch loosened and it wasn't required at all after that.

It's definitely annoying, but as long as your careful you won't scratch anything.

Regards,
Craig

darby0501 · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 2

I just bought this Scooba 5800 at LNT and was so excited to get it home and use it. I've been having a few problems that I've figured out, but I can't get the latch to open. My husband has to fuss with it. He's already skeptical about this purchase. I purchased the 5800 because I could get it in the store (no patience). Now I'm wondering if I should have ordered the 350 or 380 online, since their a newer model. Has anyone found a difference

nine · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 80

There is no difference. Now, I'm about to ask a silly question, and forgive me if you're doing it right.

You're pushing down on the latch and then when the tank pops up, pulling up on it, right? That design is ridiculous because it's totally unintuitive. I find that if you push it down quickly, almost like a poke, it makes the tank pop up easier than if you deliberately push it.

Savy Gran · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: California

Now that I know it's never going to just pop open, I push down on the latch to release it, then insert my fingernail under the side edge and lift until it's clear of the catch. It's a really bad design and it's definitely not intuitive, but I use it almost every day and I"m too lazy to send it back for warranty work.

My tile floors feel so good now. I never had this feeling when I was mopping or even hand scrubbing them.

brooke11112 · Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

Had the same problem with mine when I first got it.

Someone here suggested this: Push down on the release latch and at the same time press down on the back of the roomba tank (a little to the side of the metal latch). It always pops up when I hit that magic spot, so I have had no need to use the butter knife trick (yet)