Pressure Washer Repair

[jackellis]

I have a generic 1750 PSI electric pressure washer that no longer develops pressure. The motor appears to run fine and water flows through the system just fine but when I turn the motor on, no step up in pressure.

Is it worth trying to repair these? I had to buy another one yesterday because I have a Dirty Job that has to be finished this afternoon, but I can either keep the old one in hopes it is repairable or take it to the dump along with other stuff that needs throwing away (amazing what you accumulate over 20+ years in the same house!).

[jschen]

I repaired mine last summer, I had a leak in the handle caused by leaving it out in the garage in the winter (froze and cracked the handle). I used some fiberglass to patch the leaks, still leaks a little but I get enough pressure to do what I need to. good luck.

[tommyt654]

If you don,t drain all the water out of the pump and you get significant freezing weather and the pump is exposed to that it will damage the pump as well as the seals and a new pump is in order, might be what has happened to yours.

[elderfrost]

Pressure Washer Fix

I had the same problem with a Karcher pressure washer. I called Customer Service. They recommended this: Disconnect both the water hose and pressure hose, spray WD40 into the water intake port (where the hose connects), then pulse the pump motor two or three short pulses to suck WD40 into the pump and piping, wait 5-10 minutes, then repeat the process three or four times. This worked for me. Apparently the check valve that closes a bypass line sticks and needs lubrication to work. Hope this works for you.

I was imbarassed later when I couldn't get high pressure for a neighbor. Tried to fix it with the WD40 process. It didn't work. Then noticed that I had the pressure wand set on rinse.

[RAV2]

Many times, water scale builds up in these units and prevents the 'unloader valve' from functioning.

Try to fill the pump with CLR or other scale removing liquid, let sit for a few days, repeat if needed.