Brute pressure washer losing pressure

I have a Brute washer pressure with a Honda engine. For some reason, it no longer has pressure. I've checked the inlet and nothing is blocking the hose or wand. Any suggestion is much appreciated.

 

Hello Charlie2,


If you post the model number off your unit, That would give us a direction to proceed in....

 

Sorry about that. I forgot. It's 020386 revision 00.

 

I found this youtube video but I don't know where this pressure release or uploader value is located on my particular Brute model. If anyone can show me a picture of it or a youtube video on this, I can check it out on mine.

Thanks!

 

Charlie2,

Here's a pic showing the unloader, If your unit went from working one minute to not working the next I'd be checking the pump drive key.

I've had many come in with the key missing, They wear to a point of walking up out of the pump causing dis-engagement and no pressure.





Good Luck

 

Thanks for the diagram. I already took it out but wasn't sure which is the uploader. The washer is only about 1 year old. It's not that old. I bought it from Menards. The problem is there is no pressure. It's not like it works for a couple of times/seconds and then it quits. It just simply has no pressure.

 

Okay, do I need to lubricate the following? If so, what lubricant do I use?

 

I accidentally unscrew the plastic black thing on the side and some oil came out. I want to refill this oil, what type of oil do I use?

 

Re-fill the pump with non-detergent 30w motor oil, You can clean the unloader and lightly grease the inside parts.

Once you get it all back together and still have no pressure, Check the key I mentioned.


Good Luck

 

The unloader looks pretty clean to me... I bet the key 31YTech mentioned is the problem, or good chance of it. You have the pump off, where is the key? It should have come out with the pump.

 

Okay, I clean the uploader and lubricate it well. The pressure is still low. Will someone show me a better picture of what the key looks like and where it's located on the pump? Again, this pressure washer is only about a year old.

 

It's a long square piece of regular standard keystock that keys the engine shaft to the pump. Look at the key slot on the crankshaft and the matching slot in the pump.

 

Is this "key" part of the engine? I was wondering if you're talking about this long metal thing that comes down from the engine and goes into the pump. If so, what do I need to do with this thing (key)?

 

One more thing, is what I took out (shown in the pictures I've uploaded here) the uploader? The reason I questioned is because this "uploader assembly" shown in this picture is different than the one I took out.

 

Where is the key in this picture?

 

Charlie2,

The key slides into a cut groove running down "the long metal thing that comes down from the engine and goes into the pump", The same key while in the engine groove goes into a cut groove into the inside of the pump.

This key locks the pump collar to the "long metal thing coming from the engine so the pump spins with the engine.

If this key is missing (you don't have one) go to any hardware or garden equipment parts supplier to obtain a new one, It should be 3/16" square X 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" long.


Good Luck

 

If you're talking about that then, yes, this key is still there because when I put the pump back, I remember I have to match the groove in the pump to this key on this long metal thing from the engine or else the pump won't slide back in.

 

Very tactfully stated Tech

 

Okay, so what else do I check next if the key is there with that long metal thing that comes down from the engine is there?

 

I am not all that up on pressure washer pumps but things I have tried and might help the other diagnose:
Is there any difference in pressure if you just have water hooked up and turned on with the engine not running, from when it is?
Try disconnecting hoses, start at the pump to the wand hose, then one piece at a time (with engine off, then running) any difference?
Any leaks on the pump with the water on, engine running or not?

 

There is a difference in the pressure when the engine is off and on. It has slightly more pressure when the engine is on. There is no leak on the water pump; however, water do come off that little plastic black thing when the water is hot.

 

Charlie2,

How much water is coming out of this "black thing" ?

A drip every so often is livable but a steady stream is not which would require replacement.

Also, What color tip do you have in the wand right now ?

 

My thoughts as well.
__________________

 

I tried Yellow and Red both does not have much pressure at all.

 

And this answer........... ?

 

Let me get my $0.02 in here, I think you will find if you remove the 3 caps on the pump you will find the valves have failed, the original valves will have been made of plastic, the washer was set running without the trigger being pulled so the pump recirculated the water in the pump and it heated the plastic valves to the point they deformed and failed. Repair kit is about $15 and has metal valves for replacement. Getting the old plastic valves out is not going to be easy as they most likely have been forced into the pump. I wonder how I know this, hmmm. Have a good one. Geo

 

Many thanks for all the help. I took it to a shop who specialize in fixing Brute and after two weeks, they said it's pump -- of course, I already know it's the pump because the engine has no problem starting and running. Anyway, they're going to charge me $150 plus $60-$160 for the labor. I'm thinking about buying the pump and put it back by myself.

 

Charlie2,


That's very nice of them to charge you $60-$160 for a 15 minute job, I know their in business to make money but that's crazy.....

You can buy a pump HERE (scroll to the bottom of the right side box for a 2600 psi) and install yourself since you've already done it once, But don't forget the key.....


Good Luck

 

Is there any other place where I can order a replacement pump for this particular Brute model? I went to PPE and purchased the item. It didn't say "Out of Order" when I purchased it on 6/04/12. I charged my credit card on June 4th but never ship the item. I went to watercannon.com but they're not sure if the pump they have will work with the Brute model that I have. So, any other place to purchase this pump is appreciated.

 

Charlie2;
Remove the 3 caps shown in the picture on your post #7 and check the valves, a repair kit is only about $15. A repair example video below.Have a good one. Geo

Pressure Washer Pump Repair Part 1 (how to) - YouTube

 

Point to ponder;

If this pump got hot enough to "melt" the valves and blow the thermal valve, What shape do you think the gear case is in and any of the water seals and O-rings ?

What about the jet spring ?

There's six valves in this pump, Can you remove these three over heated water seals without damage to install new valves and get them back in without leakage ?

To try repairing this pump to last a while I see $70 in valves-seals and thermal valve without shipping and handling charges, Then you still don't know if the jet spring and gear case sustained any over heating damage.....


Charlie2,

Your pump is built by Annovi Reverberi, There should be a model number decal on the side of your pump with AR's model number. Call Water Cannon back with this number and I'll bet they have a replacement, You may find out the one I posted the link to is the proper one. This same pump fits many many brand machines and they don't have the resources to cross different brands (Brute/Excell/Craftsman/Troybuilt etc.), But they can cross by pump numbers.


Good Luck

 

Many thanks to all your help and responses. I did open up everything on the pump and everything looks fine to me. All the washers or O-rings looks fine. However, when I put everything back and try again, the pump leaked. So, I'm not sure if I suppose to put some liquid sealant or not.

Below is a picture of how far I got down to the pump. I took those washers out of these three piston looking things and clean it as much as I can.

 

Ha ! From the pic you posted showing the model number tag, THEY have your exact replacement pump for $119.00 with FREE shipping !

 

Thanks! I'll definitely check it out and call them to make sure it works once I received my refund from the pwpump.com site. This place has pretty bad customer service. They didn't even email me about the product I purchased not being available. I waited a whole week until I finally contacted them.

Anyway, thanks for all the support.

 

It seems I posted video 1 which doesn't show much, maybe this one will give more info and hopefully the video guy doesn't go into acting. I have the same pump, I repaired mine. Have a good one. Geo
Pressure Washer Pump Repair Part 2 - YouTube