Troubleshooting Pressure Washer Parts
A problem with your pressure washer may be caused by the pressure washer parts. There are some things you should check in order to complete a pressure washer repair. This troubleshooting checklist applies to both a hot water pressure washer or a cold water pressure washer.
General Things to Check
First, simply check if the engine and fuel switches are in the “ON” position. If they are and the power pressure washer does not start, you could have faulty wiring or a bad switch that needs to be replaced.
Other general troubleshooting tips for your pressure water include:
- Check oil and gas levels to make sure that they are appropriate.
- Check to make sure that the water tap is open and working properly.
- In addition to checking the “ON” switches, check the choke and throttle levers to make sure that they are functioning correctly.
- Make sure that the proper nozzle is in place for the type of pressure washing that you are engaged in.
- Make sure that the water inlet screen is not clogged.
- Prime the engine by pull starting it several times to help keep it running properly.
- Check the couplers and the O-rings in the lance where the nozzle is set to make sure that they are not worn or in need of replacement.
- The gun trigger should be held open while pull starting the pressure washer.
Check the Power Washer Pressure
After going through the general troubleshooting checklist, watch to see if the power washer pressure is adequate. If you are experiencing low water pressure with your power washer this may be indicative of an air leak or dirty pump valves that need to be cleaned.
In addition to the pump valves being dirty, over time they may become worn, or the valve springs broken. Check your power washer for these issues and change any pump valves or pump valve springs in need of replacement. Another issue causing your low pressure may be the nozzle. Check the nozzle’s settings and be sure it is set to high. If your water pressure is still too low for your power washer, you may need to check with your water utility to see if there are any local issues with your community’s water.
Your Power Pressure Washer Has High Vibrations
You can have a problem with your pressure washer that causes it to vibrate and feel unstable. This can be a result of dirty pump valves that need to be cleaned prior to use. The water supply that you are pumping through your power washer can have air, and if so, needs to be blown out. Any clogged filters, clogged or damaged spray nozzle may also cause your power washer to vibrate. One other troubleshooting tip is to make sure that the choke has been turned off after the engine has been started.
