14
Pressure Washer
www.chpower.com
Troubleshooting Chart - Gasoline Powered Pressure Washers Only
Symptom
Possible Cause(s)
Corrective Action
Engine will not start or is hard
to start
1 . No gasoline in fuel tank or carburetor
2 . Low oil
3 . Start/Stop switch in stop position
4 . Water in gasoline or old fuel
5 . Dirty air cleaner filter
6 . Spark plug dirty, wrong gap or wrong type
7 . Spray gun closed
8 . Other causes
1 . Fill the tank with gasoline, open fuel shut off valve . Check fuel line
and carburetor
2 . Check oil level . Fill if necessary
3 . Move switch to start position
4 . Drain fuel tank and carburetor . Use new fuel and dry spark plug
5 . Remove and clean or replace
6 . Clean, adjust the gap, or replace
7 . Trigger spray gun
8 . See engine owner’s manual
Engine misses or lacks power
1 . Partially plugged air cleaner filter
2 . Spark plug dirty, wrong gap or wrong type
1 . Remove and clean or replace
2 . Clean, adjust the gap, or replace
Low pressure and/or pump runs
rough
1 . Worn or wrong size tip
2 . Inlet filter on pump clogged
3 . Worn water seals, abrasives in water, or
natural wear
4 . Fouled or dirty inlet or discharge valves
5 . Restricted inlet
6 . Worn inlet or discharge valves
7 . Leaking high pressure hose
8 . Pump drawing in air
9 . Unloader valve seat faulty or worn
1 . Replace with tip of proper size
2 . Clean . Check more frequently
3 . Check filter . Replace water seals . See service center
4 . Clean inlet and discharge valve assemblies . Check filter
5 . Check garden hose, may be collapsed or kinked . Check inlet water
flow
6 . Replace worn valves
7 . Replace high pressure hose
8 . Ensure hoses and fittings are tight
9 . Check and replace
Water leakage from under
pump manifold
Worn water seals
Install new water seals . See service center
Water in pump crankcase
(milky oil)
1 . Humid air condensing inside crankcase
2 . Oil seals leaking
1 . Change oil as specified in maintenance schedule
2 . Install new oil seals . See service center
Frequent or premature failure
of the pump water seals
1 . Scored damaged or worn plungers
2 . Abrasive material in the fluid
3 . Inlet water temperature too high
4 . Overpressurizing pump
5 . Excessive pressure due to partially plugged or
damaged tip
6 . Pump running too long without spraying
7 . Pump running dry
1 . Install new plungers . See service center
2 . Install proper filtration on pump inlet plumbing
3 . Check water temperature; may not exceed 100° F .
4 . Do not modify any factory set adjustments .
5 . Clean or replace tip .
6 . Never run pump more than 2 minutes without spraying
7 . Do not run pump without water
Strong surging at the inlet and
low pressure
Foreign particles in the inlet or discharge valve or
worn inlet and/or discharge valves
Clean or replace valves . See service center
Oil leakage between the
engine and the pump
Worn oil seals and/or o-ring
Replace oil seals and/or o-ring . See service center
Fluctuating pressure
1 . Valve worn, dirty or stuck
2 . Pump drawing in air
3 . Tip clogged
1 . Check and replace
2 . Ensure hoses and fittings are tight . Purge air from garden hose
3 . Check or replace
Pressure drops after period of
normal use
1 . Worn pump water seals
2 . Nozzle worn
3 . Valve worn, dirty or stuck
4 . Unloader valve seat worn or dirty
1 . Check and replace
2 . Check and replace
3 . Check, clean or replace
4 . Check, clean or replace
Pump noisy / pump runs rough
1 . Pump drawing in air/low water supply
2 . Valves dirty or worn
3 . Worn bearings
4 . Water too hot
1 . Ensure fittings are tight . Increase water pressure
2 . Check, clean or replace
3 . Check and replace
4 . Reduce temperature below 100° F
Pressure washer will not spray
detergent
1 . Nozzle not pushed up far enough
2 . Clog, kink, or hole in detergent suction hose
3 . Hose length too long
4 . Lance not functioning properly
1 . Push nozzle forward as far as it will go .
2 . If clean, unkink or replace hose .
3 . Use only hose length provided with initial purchase of pressure
washer . Detergent suction will not function if more than once section
of hose is attached to unit .
4 . Remove lance from gun . If detergent is dispensed through gun, the
lance must be replaced . If not detergent is dispensed through gun,
remove 1 inch tapered detergent barb from pump . Clean the barb,
and make sure that ball and spring are properly aligned with tapered
portion of the spring facing the ball . The ball should be on top of the
spring .
