Despite the complexity of your industrial power washing equipment, a number of common complaints stem from relatively simple problems. With guidance, the user can identify and remedy many common power washer problems.
| Pressure washer will not run |
-Switch in ‘off’ position
-Machine not plugged in
-GFCI tripped
-Overload on motor tripped
-Circuit breaker tripped |
-Turn switch to ‘on’ position
-Plug machine into adequate service
-Reset GFCI
-Allow automatic overload to cool or push the reset button located on motor to reset
-Reset circuit breaker in main panel |
Unit runs but no water discharges |
-Water supply not turned on
-Plugged nozzle on wand
-Trigger gun off or malfunctioning |
-Turn on water supply
-Remove, clean, or replace nozzle
-Remove, repair, or replace trigger gun |
Low nozzle pressure |
-Plugged spray nozzle
-Inlet screen is plugged
-Insufficient water supply
-Unloader valve stuck open
-Plugged inlet or discharge hose
-Use of additional lengths of hose |
-Remove nozzle and clean or replace
-Remove filter and clean or replace
-Secure adequate water supply
-Disassemble and clean; repair or replace
-Flush or replace hoses
-Reduce discharge hose length. |
Surging pressure or drop in pressure |
-Partially plugged spray nozzle
-Worn nozzle
-Soap (low pressure tip installed)
-Restricted or leaking water hose
-Cavitation (inadequate water supply)
-Worn pump packings
-Fouled inlet or discharge valves
-Broken valve spring
-Worn or restricted unloader valve |
-Remove nozzle and clean or replace
-Remove and replace nozzle
-Remove and install one of the nozzles
-Check inlet hose and filter; clean or replace
-Secure adequate water supply
-Inspect and replace worn packings
-Inspect valves and clean or replace
-Inspect and replace valve spring
-Inspect unloader and repair or replace |
Pressure at pump but low discharge pressure at gun |
-Restricted discharge |
-Check for discharge obstructions in injector, hose, wand, and unloader |
Chemical injector not working properly |
-Valve on gun/wand not open
-Injector valve not turned on
-Discharge hose too long
-Clogged injector pick-up hose
-Clogged injector |
-Open valve by turning forward handle counterclockwise.
(see wand breakdown page 10)
-Turn on injector by turning fitting on injector
-Reduce hose length or reposition injector to within forty feet of trigger gun
-Remove and clean or replace
-Disassemble, clean, and reassemble |
Water leaks from pump manifold |
-Worn plungers or packings |
-Inspect and replace |
Unloader does not bypass |
-All valves fouled
-Unloader valve seat fouled |
-Inspect valves and clean or replace
-Inspect and clean or replace |
Unloader cycles when gun is shut off |
-Leak in trigger or discharge |
-Inspect leaking fittings and repair or replace |
Water in crankcase |
-High humidity or direct water spray
-Worn seals |
-Reduce oil change intervals
-Replace seals |
| Will not produce hot water |
-Burner switch in ‘off’ position
-Burner switch on but pump switch off
-Inadequate fuel supply
-Plugged fuel filter
-Trigger gun not pulled on
-Thermostat turned off |
-Turn burner switch on
-Turn on pump switch (must be on for heater to operate properly)
-Fill tank with kerosene, no. 1 or no. 2 diesel
-Replace fuel filter
-Pull trigger gun (water flow must go through coil to operate heater)
-Turn thermostat dial to the ‘on’ position |
Low Water Pressure |
-Insufficient water source
-Old or incorrect nozzle
-Plumbing or hose leak
-Obstruction in spray nozzle
-Chemical valve open
-Unloader valve worn
-Pump valves dirty or worn
|
-Check hose size/water source
-Replace nozzle
-Tighten, repair or replace leak
-Clean or replace nozzle
-Close valve or submerge hose
-Replace unloader
Clean or replace packing valves |
No Chemical Flow |
-Detergent valve closed
- Low detergent level
-Chemical screen dirty |
-Open detergent valve
-Fill detergent container
-Clean detergent screen |
Burner Not Igniting |
-No fuel
-Burner switch turned off
-Thermostat set too low
-Clogged fuel filter
-Defective pressure switch
-Clogged burner nozzle
-Fuel pump malfunction
-Improper electrode setting |
-Fill fuel tank with proper fuel
-Turn burner switch on
-Reset thermostat
-Replace fuel filter
-Replace pressure switch
-Replace burner nozzle
-Replace fuel pump
-Clean/reset to specifications |
Excessive Burner Smoke |
-Improper fuel being used
-Water contamination in fuel
-Improper air band adjustment
-Low fuel pressure
-Air leaks in fuel lines
-Soot on coils/burner assembly
-Misaligned electrodes
-Dirty burner nozzle |
-Use diesel #1/#2 or Kerosene
-Drain fuel and replace with new
-Readjust air band/altitude
-Adjust to specifications
-Check for air leaks or bubbles
-Clean coil/burner assembly
-Realign to specifications
Clean or replace burner nozzle |
Pressure Relief Valve Leaks |
-Nozzle is dirty
-Defective relief valve
-Unloader adjusted incorrectly
-Restriction on discharge hose
-Scale restriction flow in coil
|
-Clean or replace nozzle
-Replace relief valve
-Adjust unloader valve
-Remove nozzle and flush line
-Clean coil |
Pump Motor Not Running |
-Pump motor switch off
-GFCI tripped
-No voltage to machine
-Clogged water nozzle
-Insufficient voltage/amperage |
-Turn on pump motor switch
-Reset and test GFCI
-Check power source
-Clean water
-Use proper drop cord
|
Pump Noisy |
-Air in suction line
-Pump valves dirty
-Check valve springs worn
-Low pump oil
-Pump bearings are worn
-Incoming water too hot
|
-Check inlet water fittings
-Clean/replace pump valves
-Replace check valves
-Add 5EA 30wt. non-detergent
-Replace/ rebuild pump
Reduce temperature/ ambient
|
Water in Oil |
-High humidity environment
-Oil seal worn
-Plunger packing worn
|
-Change oil frequently
-Check and replace oil seal
-Check and replace packing
|
Water Dripping/Pump |
-Plunger packing is worn
-Plunger retainer oil ring worn
-Cracked ceramics
|
-Install new packing kit
-Replace oil rings
-Replace ceramics |
Oil Dripping |
-Oil seal worn
-Cracked manifold
|
-Check and replace oil seals
-Replace manifold
|
| Fluctuating Pressure |
-Unloader not adjusted
-Valves worn
-Dirt or blockage in valve
-Pump sucking air
-Worn plunger packing |
-Adjust to specifications
-Replace with valve kit
-Clean or replace valve
-Check water/detergent supply
-Replace packing kit |
| Pump Head Overheating |
-Extended period in bypass |
-Pull trigger gun for water flow |
