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Water was turned off while washer was spraying. Now there is no pressure. What can I do?
When pressure washer is turned on, motor runs, but water pressure is too low to clean fence boards. Water faucet is turned to high, motor turns on, but spray does not have full force or pressure. What can I do?
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Sounds like you haven't connected a garden hose to it and turned it on. Got'a have good water pressure to the machine to have it spray. Without the water connected, and you run it a bunch the pump may be burned out as it needs the water, to keep the pump cool. Even then it should spray water even if not boosted much. There's normally a water drain on the pump so water can be drained for storage. If it's lost or open it'll blow the water out that's coming from the garden hose.
Does the electric motor keep running? If it does continue to run with the trigger in the spraying position, then your pressure switch and motor are OK. If the motor is running and the water is not coming out with pressure, then either your check valves are not closing properly or the pumping mechanism is in need of repair. I think those little electrics have a simple wobble plate design. Basically not worth the effort to fix them
I had the same problem on an electric and a gas pressure washer.
Once you know how your PW works the solution will become clear. All electric pressure washers are basically the same. The all pivot and revolve off the same basic set of patents and design.
You hook up a hose and turn the water on - pressure is applied to a valve in the pressure washer. Squeeze the trigger and water comes out of the wand / spray gun / nozzle etc. At that moment the pressure valve senses a drop in pressure and "knows" that you are spraying water and activates the motor which increases the pressure to ~ 1500 psi. Once you let go of the trigger the pressure increases in the unit (water has no place to go) and either that same valve or another sensor shuts the motor off.
Why does this sensor fail?
1. water is a mess - hard water, minerals, rust, bacteria grows in the water and forms a stick mess on the parts. All of this can prevent the valve from moving (same thing happens on gas power washers).
2. In places where the temperature falls below freezing the unit must be stored inside or trapped water can freeze and crack or damage parts.
Remember, Ideally a corrosion inhibitor / pump lubricant is supposed to be run through the pw after each use and especially if it will be stored (winter season). Most people don't.
SOLUTION:
1. you will need to download a manual for your unit (free from the mfg website) take off the plastic cover and remove the sensor and clean it mechanically with a brush & any degreaser like simple green etc.. Test the unit with the cover off. It might need to soak over night in a jar. If it still fails, which is quite likely, you must order the replacement part - usually costs about $20. Some "brands" don't sell that exact sensor and you must buy the larger piece that it screws into which will raise the cost to about $30+.
Note to gas pressure washer users:
There is a youtube video that shows how to clean the valve body and if it is done correctly the washer will work same as new without replacing any parts.
Turn water off to the pressure washer, release pressure by applying hand pressure to sprayer. After water pressure is released, turn water back on (should not have motor running without water.) then try to pull start.
If you are using a water tank for water supply, remove the water supply line from the pressure washer and connect a water hose from a faucet. Turn the water on, then crank the engine. Pull the trigger of the spray gun until water comes out. When then water starts to spray properly the release the trigger, shut engine down with pressure on the line then reconnect the water supply from the tank to the pressure washer. If this fixes the problem then the problem was "air-locked"! Happens alot with new pressure washers that have never been run. If you need any other help, please email me @ [email protected]
Pressure washers have a pressure regulator/unloader that bypasses the water back into the intake when you let go of the trigger with motor running. If you let the machine run for long preiods in bypass the system could be damaged due to heating of the water being bypassed. The water is in a closed loop. The as the unloader wears it will tend to want to bypass which is what is happening in your case. Dirt trapped at the tip will cause this also. Install clean tip to solve problem. If clean tip did not help then try lowering the pressure by turning pressure regulator counterclock wise. If problem is gone then parts are failing but keep using pump. Good luck.
your not missing anything, check the pump, they tend to go bad over time and may need replacing. The pump provides the pressure as well as the suction for the whole process, pulling water from the hose or tank and pushing it forcefully through the pressure washer line. If the motor is running and you have the water going through the line and to the pump, and no water is coming out, my guess would be the pump.
Try and back flush the washer..Take spay nozzle off washer and back flush with hose...If any kind of sand or deposits get into the Pump it will hold pressure valve open not letting it build pressure.after back flushing hook back up washer and before you put spar nozzle back on or start washer turn water on and make sure all air is out of washer..hook spray nozzle back up and hold it open with washer still off.when you see that there is no more air coming out of washer start it and you should have pressure.Hope this helps you and have a great day!!
Don't know about yours but many of the rotating spray-heads are turned only by waterpressure, not a separate motor.
The rotator is normally pretty loose and should turn willingly by hand; if it seems stiff and your water pressure is normally lower (most city lines are ~60#, rural from 30-50#) it may not have enough pressure to turn the spray head if a buildup of food has happened.
Not having a motor drive isn't a bad idea because if the washer is carelessly loaded, the worst that happens is no spin, instead of trashing dishes or the machine mechanism.
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