Pressure washer - no high pressure

Posted by dean on May 15, 2007, 8:32 am

> >Water flows through the wand at low pressure. When the engine is on,
> >there is no different in pressure, its just tap pressure. The pump did
> >not freeze over winter as I had it indoors. Last fall it was working

> I experienced this with my PW, I changed out the tip of the wand and
> it worked fine.
> We have really hard water, so my guess was calcium deposits in the
> tip.
> --
> Oren
> "The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

I took off the outlet hose, and turned on the machine. The water does
not spurt out of the pipe any faster than when the engine is off. Can
this still be a wand problem then?

Posted by Oren on May 15, 2007, 12:53 pm

>> >Water flows through the wand at low pressure. When the engine is on,
>> >there is no different in pressure, its just tap pressure. The pump did
>> >not freeze over winter as I had it indoors. Last fall it was working

>> I experienced this with my PW, I changed out the tip of the wand and
>> it worked fine.
>> We have really hard water, so my guess was calcium deposits in the
>> tip.

>I took off the outlet hose, and turned on the machine. The water does
>not spurt out of the pipe any faster than when the engine is off. Can
>this still be a wand problem then?

Tips from the web:

Low nozzle pressure is a common complaint generally caused by one of
the following:

1. Plugged nozzle tip.
2. Inlet screen plugged.
3. Insufficient flow in gallons per minute (not pressure) to the pump.
4. Unloader valve stuck open due to debris lodged under the check
valve ball.
5. Customer use of shutoff-type quick connectors.
6. Plugged hose.

http://pressurewashers.lifetips.com/cat/61621/troubleshooting-your-pressure-washer/index.html

--
Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

Posted by on May 15, 2007, 1:33 pm

>>> >Water flows through the wand at low pressure. When the engine is on,
>>> >there is no different in pressure, its just tap pressure. The pump did
>>> >not freeze over winter as I had it indoors. Last fall it was working
>>> I experienced this with my PW, I changed out the tip of the wand and
>>> it worked fine.
>>> We have really hard water, so my guess was calcium deposits in the
>>> tip.

>>I took off the outlet hose, and turned on the machine. The water does
>>not spurt out of the pipe any faster than when the engine is off. Can
>>this still be a wand problem then?

>Tips from the web:
>Low nozzle pressure is a common complaint generally caused by one of
>the following:
>1. Plugged nozzle tip.
>2. Inlet screen plugged.
>3. Insufficient flow in gallons per minute (not pressure) to the pump.
>4. Unloader valve stuck open due to debris lodged under the check
>valve ball.
>5. Customer use of shutoff-type quick connectors.
>6. Plugged hose.
>http://pressurewashers.lifetips.com/cat/61621/troubleshooting-your-pressure-washer/index.html

#4 is my guess. It is very common if your water isn't "rain water"
clean. Mineral buildup plugs these up pretty fast.

Posted by Oren on May 15, 2007, 4:14 pm

On Tue, 15 May 2007 13:33:06 -0400, gfretwell@aol.com wrote:

>>>> >Water flows through the wand at low pressure. When the engine is on,
>>>> >there is no different in pressure, its just tap pressure. The pump did
>>>> >not freeze over winter as I had it indoors. Last fall it was working
>>>> I experienced this with my PW, I changed out the tip of the wand and
>>>> it worked fine.
>>>> We have really hard water, so my guess was calcium deposits in the
>>>> tip.
>>>I took off the outlet hose, and turned on the machine. The water does
>>>not spurt out of the pipe any faster than when the engine is off. Can
>>>this still be a wand problem then?

>>Tips from the web:
>>Low nozzle pressure is a common complaint generally caused by one of
>>the following:
>>1. Plugged nozzle tip.
>>2. Inlet screen plugged.
>>3. Insufficient flow in gallons per minute (not pressure) to the pump.
>>4. Unloader valve stuck open due to debris lodged under the check
>>valve ball.
>>5. Customer use of shutoff-type quick connectors.
>>6. Plugged hose.
>>http://pressurewashers.lifetips.com/cat/61621/troubleshooting-your-pressure-washer/index.html

>#4 is my guess. It is very common if your water isn't "rain water"
>clean. Mineral buildup plugs these up pretty fast.

I never worked on one, myself. My only problem once was a clogged tip.

I did read that #4 can still stick, even without freezing. Just by
sitting for long periods of time.

BTW, what type of fluid is used in these pumps?

--
Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

Posted by on May 15, 2007, 10:48 pm

>I never worked on one, myself. My only problem once was a clogged tip.
>I did read that #4 can still stick, even without freezing. Just by
>sitting for long periods of time.
>BTW, what type of fluid is used in these pumps?

Yes they do. I have got to the point that I shoot a little oil in the
pump when I am shutting it down, just so it won't lock up. My water
sucks here (SW Fla)

There is motor oil in the pump but not on the "water" side

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Pressure washer - no high pressure - Page 3