Pressure washer troubleshooting
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Pressure washer troubleshooting
Tuesday I was using the pressure washer on some parts and it was working great. In the midst of my cleaning job the pressure went down to near nothing. It doesn't spray with any more pressure than a garden hose. When you shut down the engine the spray is also much weaker than it used to be with the engine off. I pulled the hoses and checked for clogs in the screens but there was none. I turned the water back on and fired up the pressure washer with the pressure hose off to see if maybe there was something in the wand but there's very little pressure coming out of the pump. Any ideas as to what might be causing this? I'm out of town now and don't know the make of the pump but can check it tomorrow if that might help someone diagnos the problem. It's a 2100 PSI washer . . . that's about all I know.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: southwest michigan
try a different nozzle,sometimes there is a ball and spring in the front of the pump held in by a set screw.check that spring.make sure you didnt shear a shaft key.on some pumps there are plastic valves in the top that can go bad.
good luck fat250
good luck fat250
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by beeboy
hopefully it isnt that Karcher from Costco...those are reputed for breaking down.
Thanks for the advice collision, I'll check all that this weekend and see what I can find out. If I can't fix it I have a backup plan.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Spokane WA
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 20
Pull the inlet hose washer and look behind the washer for a long strainer. It should have a cross piece so you can grab hold of it. Always flush out your hoses before attaching it to the washer.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: fremont ohio
I don't know about yours, but ours at work has a twist nozzle on it. You twist it to different setting for wide spray or jet. If it isn't in the right spot, full flow won't get through and it will reduce pressure a ton. I've had it happen a few times.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Well last night I decided to pull it all apart and see what was up. I dismantled EVERYTHING and the problem seemed to be caused by the bypass valve? Whatever the valve is that controls pressure. It was stuck or something and feeding water straight through without pressure. It was good fun to see the inner workings of a pressure washer since I had no clue how they worked. Very simple really. So once I got that taken care of I fired it up and it worked great. But the lesson of the day came this morning when I'm cleaning parts and then suddenly the washer stopped. I went to start it again and could barely cet it to crank. Funny things happen when you check the oil in the engine but forget to refill the oil in the pump unit. 
So I put some oil in there and finally got it going again. It has great pressure but don't sound too hot anymore. I'm going to have to replace those bearings soon here. Moral of the story is don't be an idiot like me.
So I put some oil in there and finally got it going again. It has great pressure but don't sound too hot anymore. I'm going to have to replace those bearings soon here. Moral of the story is don't be an idiot like me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
There are two things I have been told you have to watch out for: 1 Need to keep the pump supplied with water at all times or the pump will burn up quick. 2 Always check motor and pump oil before each use. I also wonder if they have a auto shut off when the oil is low. I know most air compressors have that feature. Good Luck!