What is the most common problem with pressure washers?

Like all machines, pressure washers sometimes break down. These malfunctions take several forms, but in general, they fall into two categories: engine issues and pump or wand issues.

What causes pressure washer pump failure?

The two most common reasons behind the pressure washer pump going bad are a faulty unloader valve and a clogged carburetor (in the case of gas-powered washers).

Why has my pressure washer stopped working?

If your pressure washer is refusing to work or even turn on, the culprit could potentially be the power switches. Most pressure washers use two micro switches that disconnect both the live and neutral connections between the supply and the motor. These switches can jam cutting the power out from reaching the motor.

What is the life expectancy of a pressure washer?

In general, most well know pressure washer companies guaranty their machine for at least 500 hours. Most persons use it for around 50 hours each year. That means that a well-maintained pressure washer should last at least 10 years.

How often should you change the oil in a pressure washer?

A pump oil change should be done every 3 to 5 months to keep equipment running smoothly, safely and efficiently. The high pressure pump inside a hard working pressure washer is literally the heart of the machine.

How to Solve the Pressure Washer pressure problems

Can you repair a power washer?

Sometimes A Power Washer Repair Kit Is The Easiest

The patch won't last; the high-pressure water will force the patch loose. Even a tiny patched leak can cause serious injury when it bursts open, and the high-pressure water hits your body.

Why does my pressure washer keep starting and stopping?

If the engine of your electric pressure washer gets started and runs fine for a couple of minutes and then loses power, it's probably the unloader valve that has failed. When the unloader valve of your electric pressure washer fails, it is unable to recirculate the water back to its pump inlet.

Is there a reset button on a pressure washer?

When the trigger is released, water flow stops which the TSS sensed and immediately shuts the unit off. So to review, if the Reset button has been pressed and is holding and the power switch is ON, the power washer is supposed to start up for a second or two and immediately shut off.

How do you fix a pressure washer that won't start?

Pressure Washer Won't Start: Dirty or Clogged Carburetor

Remove the air filter and flush the carburetor with carburetor cleaner to remove any built-up dirt or carbon residue. Use a toothbrush to get into tight corners. If that doesn't work, you'll have to rebuild or replace the carburetor.

Is it worth replacing the pump on a pressure washer?

Whether you left the pump running with no pressure relief, it cracked in storage during the off-season, or perhaps it's just suffered from wear and tear, pressure wash pumps burn out and break from time to time. However, there's no need to throw out your pressure washer and buy a new one.

Why is my pressure washer pulsing?

If the nozzle has even a little bit of dirt in the tip, it may cause enough obstruction for the pressure washer to pulsate. If your pressure washer came with a nozzle cleaner, use it to clean the tip. If not, you can use a pin or paper clip to clear the nozzle tip of debris that may have become lodged in it.

How do you know if your unloader valve is bad?

Water leaks and inconsistent behavior are also signs of a potential failure in the near future. González: The typical signal when there is an unloader malfunction is a reduction of flow through the nozzle, which results in pressure loss. Dean: Typical symptom of an unloader failure is a sudden smooth pressure loss.

Is there a fuse in pressure washer?

The Fuse. If the pressure washer does not start, then the first thing to check is the fuse in the plug.

Do you turn water on before starting pressure washer?

Turn on the water. The pressure washer and hose will fill with water, so it is important to purge the system of excess air before starting the unit.

Why does my pressure washer stall when I release the trigger?

If a pressure washer stalls when the trigger is released, this usually indicates a fault in the unloader valve. It is a simple process to remove and replace the unloader.

What does an unloader do on a pressure washer?

The unloader diverts the flow of water from the outlet side of the pump back to the inlet side, causing water to flow in a loop back to the pump under virtually no pressure rather than to the nozzle under operating pressure.

Can you use regular motor oil in a power washer?

The bottom line is that motor oil is not suitable for pressure washer pumps. Because pumps do not have oil filters hence risk damage due to impurities in motor oils; always use non-detergent oils. And when it comes to replacing used lubricant that has become less viscous, do not overfill the pump.