Posted: 3/11/2011 2:01:04 PM EDT
| I recently picked up a Campbell Hausfeld gas power pressure washer off Craigslist. The previous owner said it worked fine. Got it home started it up, hooked up hose, no discharge from the pressure wand. It doesn't sound like it's building any pressure in the pump. Any thoughts? |
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You'll want to make sure that water is flowing through the pump and out the nozzle before you start the engine. The pump uses the water as both a coolant and somewhat as a lubricant. In other words avoid running the pump dry. Running a pump dry is a sure way to destroy it. I will often squeeze the trigger and let the water flow while starting the engine. This may help if the engine is tired and will not start under a mild load.
Assuming that water flows through the pump and out your wand nozzle and does not develop prssure while running then I would suspect that the unloader valve is stuck open. The unloader vavle is a device that relieves the pump pressure output when your not squeezing the trigger on your wand. Unloader valves will sometimes collect hard water deposits that inhibit their function. If this is the case then you might be able to clean the unloader my removing it a soaking it in a bowl of vinegar for several hours. The vinegar will usually do a decent job of softening up hardwater deposits. Good luck |
if it has been run for more than one minute or so without the water jet wand open it will burn out a part of the pump. If the engine is running and only a little water is coming out with just normal water hose type pressure your pump is burnt out. Do not run a pressure washer for more than 30 seconds or so with out letting the water come out, it overheats if you don't.
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| Make sure that water is coming through the supply hose. Hook the supply hose to the pump. Remove the pressure hose and wand. Turn on the water and if it flows through the pump, there is a stoppage in the hose or wand. If the water doesn't flow through the pump, the problem is the pump. |
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I've been challenged by both electric and gas powered pressure washers. I thought I had carefully read the operators manuals; in hindsight, there were steps that I had missed or rushed thru.
Only advice I feel safe tendering is to hit the web for an operators manual for your specific washer (or maybe the same maker and one step up or down) and proceed very thoroughly. |
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Quoted:
if it has been run for more than one minute or so without the water jet wand open it will burn out a part of the pump. If the engine is running and only a little water is coming out with just normal water hose type pressure your pump is burnt out. Do not run a pressure washer for more than 30 seconds or so with out letting the water come out, it overheats if you don't. this is the reason so many get returned. If the pump is bad, sometimes they can be rebuilt. |
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You might try and run it without the wand to see that the wand is not your problem. You could have a bad valve in the wand. Also you can hook the wand back up without a tip and see if the tip was clogged.
I've worked on a bunch of pressure washers and can't remember any not flowing ANY water at all. Sounds like something is blocking the flow. Another thing to check is if there are any plastic plugs in the inlet or line. Maybe something left from packing. |
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Like previously stated check the screen at the inlet of the pump. Use air to blow the hose out on the wand and see if it is free of debris. You should be able to turn on water and with the wand lever held down water should flow.
If the screen and hose are free of debris and it still does not pump water then my guess is the pump is bad. Call up the seller and tell them it does not work. |
| Here's an update. We took it apart at the Fire Station. Water would flow through the pump. However, not through the wand. Soaking the the wand to free up any obstructions. Does the pump require the wand to be fully assembled before it will build pressure? Water flowed past trigger valve with tip off, would not build pressure. |
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Quoted: Here's an update. We took it apart at the Fire Station. Water would flow through the pump. However, not through the wand. Soaking the the wand to free up any obstructions. Does the pump require the wand to be fully assembled before it will build pressure? Water flowed past trigger valve with tip off, would not build pressure. What are you soaking it in? Our water is terrible here and calcium is a problem. Try some CLR? |