Troubleshooting Pressure Washer Problems
Pressure washers are highly versatile appliances that are used for various purposes, right from cleaning sticky molds and grease from the walls to removing dust and mud from vehicle surfaces. Nevertheless, like any other device, they are prone to several problems that requires proper remedies. If you own a home pressure washer, then understanding the main pressure washer parts will help in easy maintenance and repairing of problems.
The three major parts of a pressure washer are - a motor or pressure washer pump (for drawing water), a pressure hose and a trigger gun. Proper coordination of these components impart smooth functioning of the pressure washer. A defect in any of the components may result in failure of the machine's operation. In such a case, proper pressure washer repair at the right time is better before the defect becomes too difficult to handle. Let's discuss some of the common pressure washer problems and ways to troubleshoot them.
Troubleshooting Pressure Washers
Prior to repairing a pressure washer, always go through the detailed guidelines provided by the manufacturer to understand the working mechanism. The associated problems and repair methods may vary based on the configuration of the model. For example, some machinery generate hot water for better cleaning, some may be fixed units, while others have movable wheels. In addition, the source of energy (gas, petrol, diesel, electric type), pressure level and nozzle type also differ from one model to another. Following are common problems and tips for troubleshooting a pressure washer.
Low Pressure: This is a major complaint associated with pressure washer appliances. Low pressure of the pressure washer may be caused due to many reasons, such as restricted inlet, worn nozzle, air leakage in inlet, improper fixation of valve seat, limited water, dirty inlet or discharge valves and leakage in the discharge valve. You can check these parts and diagnose the defective part. Accordingly, you can troubleshoot the problem to increase flow the pressure.
Rough or Fluctuating pressure: Rough or fluctuating pressure is usually a result of either air entering the inlet pipe, or limited water through inlet or a stuck inlet. For fixing this defect, you can check for any blockage in the inlet pipe and clean the inlet strainer. If the discharge valve is worn out, replace it for increasing the pressure.
No Water Discharge: If the machine operates without discharging water, then there might be obstructions in the discharge valve or nozzle. In such a case, you can remove the nozzle, clean and install it. Exchange the nozzle if it is not working properly. Another possible cause for no water generation may be due to defects in the trigger gun. You can fix it by substituting with a new trigger gun.
Low Pressure at the Nozzle: Low pressure in the nozzle can be a result of inadequate water supply, plugged nozzle, dirty inlet screen strainer, blocked discharge hose or at times, a lengthy discharge hose. Remove the parts and clean them properly, if necessary replace the nozzle, inlet hose or other defective parts in order to troubleshoot this problem.
Loud Noise in Pressure Washer pump: Loud noise from the pump is caused due to worn out or broken bearings and connecting rods. You can troubleshoot this problem by replacing the bearings and/or rod. If the problem does not go, you can consider installing a new pressure washer pump.
If there is water leakage from the pump manifold, you can repair the pressure washer by replacing either the plunger or packing. This is in brief on how to fix a pressure washer. Before trying your hands on pressure washer troubleshooting, it is to be bear in mind that it is a dangerous appliance that should be handled with care. Regular servicing is advisable to minimize the problems associated with pressure washers and prevent frequent pressure washer repair.
