| If you have a pressure washer business you will | | | | might even pulsate. When the water level in your |
| eventually need to change out or repair the pump. | | | | tank reaches a point below the leak in the hose, |
| There are a few things you should know to make | | | | air will replace the water and you'll get zero |
| such change outs easy. You may also need to | | | | pressure. That makes it very hard to wash |
| study up on preventative maintenance so that | | | | anything.Low pressure in the pump can be caused |
| you do not have to worry about pump failure. | | | | by a number of things; these are by far the most |
| Your pressure washer probably has one of two | | | | common, but this is not a complete list, generally |
| different pumps if it is industrial grade. Either a Cat | | | | if you go thru this list the problem will be solved, |
| Pump or a General pump; both are industry | | | | check the easiest things first such as water |
| standards. General is the leader in the industry for | | | | supply:Faulty pressure gauge (Replace)Out of |
| sales and many prefer Cat as it sucks better | | | | water (Fill up tank)Old or worn out tip at gun |
| from plastic water tanks.Your pump is powered | | | | nozzle (Replace)Incorrect tip (Remove and |
| by two parallel belts connected to your engine. | | | | replace)Belt slippage (Tighten belt)Hose leaks (Fix |
| You should make sure not to starve your pump | | | | leaks)Faulty unloader (Replace)Mis-adjusted |
| from water. When the water tank is empty turn | | | | unloader (Re-adjust)Worn packing in pump (Take |
| off the engine. Starving a pump will burn it out in | | | | it to dealer)Inline filter clogged with dirt (Clean |
| about thirty-five minutes. The manufacturer says | | | | it)Obstruction in spray nozzle tip (Remove |
| five to ten minutes, but that's not life threatening. | | | | it)Chemical metering valve sucking air (Turn it |
| Your pump has a safety feature whereby when | | | | off)Slow engine rpm (Check engine)If you have a |
| you are not spraying the water, it will | | | | pulsating issue at the gun or the machine is |
| automatically by pass into the tank provided there | | | | Fluctuating pressure, this is a completely different |
| is enough water for the complete loop. Thank | | | | problem than low pressure. You should check for: |
| you. We also thought it was one of our great | | | | Worn piston packing (Call dealer). Pump sucking air |
| ideas. You should change the oil in the pump | | | | (Fix hole), Blockage in valve (Remove, check |
| every month. Make sure your pressure washer | | | | valves and take out blockage). If it is fluctuating |
| rig is on level ground and fill the pump to the red | | | | and very noisy or if your pump is only noisy |
| dot on the center of the eyeglass. Over filling is a | | | | check for:Air in suction line (Check water supply |
| really bad idea.On your pump you will notice six | | | | and connections)Broken or weak inlet or discharge |
| large bolts. Inside of the holes are check valves | | | | valve springs (Call dealer)Excessive matter in |
| with springs. After 300-500 hours you should | | | | valves (Check and clean if necessary)Worn |
| change them. You can do this yourself. The valve | | | | bearings (Check and replace. If necessary, call |
| kits are $60.000. It's very easy:Unscrew | | | | dealer)Vibrations from mounting (Tighten it. If |
| boltsRemove old valveReplace valveMake sure to | | | | unable, call dealer)If you find the presence of |
| seat the valve evenlyScrew the bolt back in by | | | | water in the pump oil, it could be caused by: |
| handMake sure the O-ring on the bolt is | | | | Blown pump head seals, High humidity in air |
| snugTighten with wrench pretty tightInspecting | | | | (Change oil more often) or Piston packing worn |
| The PumpIf you drain the oil and it's got bubbles | | | | then call your dealer. If water or oil drips from the |
| in it or has turned white, then you have a blown | | | | bottom of the pump this could be a number of |
| seal and water is getting into the oil because: It | | | | things such as Piston packing worn, the O-ring |
| overheated due to water starvation; The casing | | | | plunger retainer is worn, Oil seal worn, Pump head |
| cracked because of vibration; You forgot to | | | | seal shot or Crack in pump head. If any of these |
| change the oil, dummy ($600 mistake and one | | | | call the dealer and see if they have the parts in |
| lost day's work if you can get the parts that | | | | stock, you may be able to fix it yourself if you |
| fast).Check to see if the belts are tight. If not | | | | feel confident, if not you will need to leave your |
| tighten them. Look for water drips. A slow drip on | | | | machines with the dealer for repairs.Pump |
| the exit side of the pump could cost you as much | | | | lubrication should be done every three months or |
| as 150 PSI at the nozzle. A fast drip (two to | | | | 500 hours, which ever comes first. Use SAE 40 |
| three drops per second) could be a 250-300 PSI | | | | weight oil or equivalent for Cat pumps. Use 20/30 |
| loss at the nozzle. A steady drip stream might be | | | | weight non-detergent oil for General pumps. It |
| a 500 plus PSI loss. When you see water leaking, | | | | should be hydraulic oil with anti-wear and rust |
| fix the leak ASAP. Be sure to use ample Teflon | | | | inhibitor additives. The oil level should be checked |
| tape when re-tightening fittings. This will stop | | | | by looking in the window on the side of the pump. |
| future leaks, prevent rust and make fittings easy | | | | Only fill oil half way to the red dot.As a pressure |
| to separate in the future.A hole in a hose or leak | | | | washing contractor you must understand how to |
| on the inlet side of the pump causes air to get in. | | | | maintain and repair your equipment, think about |
| The pump will act as if it's starving for water. It | | | | it.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. |