Pressure Washer

Troubleshooting Chart - Gasoline Powered Pressure Washers Only

Symptom

Possible Cause(s)

Corrective Action

Engine will not start or

1.

No gasoline in fuel tank or

1.

Fill the tank with gasoline, open fuel shut off valve..

is hard to start

 

carburetor

 

Check fuel line and carburetor

 

 

 

2.

Check oil level.. Fill if necessary

 

2.

Low oil

3.

Move switch to start position

 

3.

Start/Stop switch in stop position

4.

Drain fuel tank and carburetor.. Use new fuel and dry

 

4.

Water in gasoline or old fuel

 

spark plug

 

5.

Dirty air cleaner filter

5.

Remove and clean or replace

 

6.

Spark plug dirty, wrong gap or

6.

Clean, adjust the gap, or replace

 

 

wrong type

7.

Trigger spray gun

 

7.

Spray gun closed

8.

See engine owner’s manual

 

8.

Other causes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engine misses or lacks

1.

Partially plugged air cleaner filter

1.

Remove and clean or replace

power

2. Spark plug dirty, wrong gap or

2.

Clean, adjust the gap, or replace

 

 

wrong type

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low pressure and/or

1. Worn or wrong size tip

1.

Replace with tip of proper size

pump runs rough

2. Inlet filter on pump clogged

2.

Clean.. Check more frequently

 

3.

Worn water seals, abrasives in

3.

Check filter.. Replace water seals.. See service center

 

 

water, or natural wear

4.

Clean inlet and discharge valve assemblies.. Check

 

4.

Fouled or dirty inlet or discharge

 

 

valves

 

filter

 

5.

Restricted inlet

5.

Check garden hose, may be collapsed or kinked..

 

 

 

 

Check inlet water flow

 

6.

Worn inlet or discharge valves

6.

Replace worn valves

 

7.

Leaking high pressure hose

7.

Replace high pressure hose

 

8.

Pump drawing in air

8.

Ensure hoses and fittings are tight

 

9.

Unloader valve seat faulty or worn

9.

Check and replace

 

 

 

Water leakage from

Worn water seals

Install new water seals.. See service center

under pump manifold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water in pump

1. Humid air condensing inside

1.

Change oil as specified in maintenance schedule

crankcase (milky oil)

 

crankcase

2.

Install new oil seals.. See service center

 

2.

Oil seals leaking

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequent or premature

1. Scored damaged or worn plungers

1.

Install new plungers.. See service center

failure of the pump

2.

Abrasive material in the fluid

2.

Install proper filtration on pump inlet plumbing

water seals

3. Inlet water temperature too high

3.

Check water temperature; may not exceed 100° F..

 

4.

Overpressurizing pump

4.

Do not modify any factory set adjustments.

 

5.

Excessive pressure due to partially

5.

Clean or replace tip..

 

 

plugged or damaged tip

6.

Never run pump more than 2 minutes without

 

6.

Pump running too long without

 

 

spraying

 

spraying

 

7.

Pump running dry

7.

Do not run pump without water

 

 

 

Strong surging at the

Foreign particles in the inlet or

Clean or replace valves.. See service center

inlet and low pressure

discharge valve or worn inlet and/or

 

 

 

discharge valves

 

 

 

 

 

Oil leakage between the

Worn oil seals and/or o-ring

Replace oil seals and/or o-ring.. See service center

engine and the pump

 

 

 

 

Fluctuating pressure

1.

Valve worn, dirty or stuck

 

2.

Pump drawing in air

 

3.

Tip clogged

1.Check and replace

2.Ensure hoses and fittings are tight.. Purge air from garden hose

3.Check or replace

Pressure drops after

1. Worn pump water seals

1.

Check and replace

period of normal use

2. Nozzle worn

2.

Check and replace

 

3.

Valve worn, dirty or stuck

3.

Check, clean or replace

 

4.

Unloader valve seat worn or dirty

4.

Check, clean or replace

 

 

 

 

Pump noisy / pump runs

1. Pump drawing in air/low water

1.

Ensure fittings are tight.. Increase water pressure

rough

 

supply

2.

Check, clean or replace

 

2.

Valves dirty or worn

3.

Check and replace

 

3.

Worn bearings

4.

Reduce temperature below 100° F

 

4.

Water too hot

 

 

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