Table of Contents
What does the unloader valve do on a pressure washer?
The unloader diverts the flow of water from the outlet side of the pump back to the inlet side, causing water to flow in a loop back to the pump under virtually no pressure rather than to the nozzle under operating pressure.
How do you adjust the unloader valve on a Craftsman pressure washer?
The unloader on your pressure washer has no adjustment. When the pressure inside the pump gets high the plunger on the unloader slides back and lets the water recirculate through the pump.
Why does my pressure washer keep losing pressure?
Pressure may decrease if your packing is worn out or if there are abrasives or severe cavitation (bubbles) in the pumped fluids. This can be caused by an inadequate amount of water and/or a lack of proper filtration. To fix, install the proper filter.
Do Pressure washers have adjustable pressure?
One of the most important features to look for on a large semi-pro gas pressure washer is variable or adjustable pressure controls. This way you can tailor the strength of PSI depending on your cleaning task. Variable pressure is especially important on power washers as powerful as these units.
How do I know if my pressure washer unloader is bad?
Water leaks and inconsistent behavior are also signs of a potential failure in the near future. González: The typical signal when there is an unloader malfunction is a reduction of flow through the nozzle, which results in pressure loss. Dean: Typical symptom of an unloader failure is a sudden smooth pressure loss.
How long can a pressure washer run without pulling the trigger?
You should not run a pressure washer (except professional equipment) for more than five minutes. While the duration may vary from model to model, it should be between 3 and 5 minutes. Leaving your pressure washer running for more than five minutes can result in overheating.
Why does my pressure washer dies when I pull the trigger?
Why Does My Pressure Washer Die When I Pull the Trigger? A pressure washer stalling when the trigger is pulled is mostly due to a faulty unloader valve, O-rings, pressure washer trigger, or a too-high setting of the unloader valve. The root cause of a stalling issue is usually a problematic unloader valve.
Can you adjust an unloader valve?
Now while the gun is engaged you can adjust the pressure by turning the adjusting knob between the two nuts and the nylock on top. If you adjust the unloader without the gun engaged, when you do engage the trigger parts in the unloader move rather violently and could damage the unloader.
What happens if unloader valve is bad?
A failed unloader valve can cause high pressure at the nozzle. The unloader valve recirculates water to the pump inlet when the pump is running but the spray wand isn’t in use. A defective pressure regulator can cause high pressure at the nozzle.
Why is my pressure washer surging?
Why is my pressure washer surging? Water flow may be restricted to the pressure washer. Check that all hoses are free of kinks, leaks, or blockage. If the nozzle has even a little bit of dirt in the tip, it may cause enough obstruction for the pressure washer to pulsate.
Why is my pressure washer not spraying hard?
– Make sure your garden hose and high pressure hose are not kinked, leaking, or blocked in anyway and that the water is turned on full force and supplying the correct amount of water outlined in your owner’s manual. – Remove the water inlet filter and make sure it is free of debris. – Check the trigger gun and nozzles.
How do you diagnose a bad unloader valve?
Pump motor stalling – if a pump is powered by a gasoline or diesel engine, stalling whenever the operator ceases to use it is a good sign of unloader valve failure. The buildup of pressure locks the pump’s internal components, which in turn prevents the rotation of the powered engine shaft.
Why does my pressure washer pulse?
Check For Minor Problems Including Kinks Or Blockages A dirty inlet or discharge valve is the most common cause of a pulsating pressure washer. Dirt or hard water can get caught up in these little divots. It is important that you clean out these pieces every so often to prevent these kinds of problems.
Can you run a pressure washer without an unloader?
In a pressure washer, water is pumped in faster than it’s let out. This creates the high-pressure water we use to blast surfaces clean. However, if the pressure washer gun is disengaged, and there is no unloader valve to redirect the pressurized water, the pressure would continue to build.
Do electric pressure washers have unloader valves?
Your electric pressure washer’s unloader valve is the mechanism that can divert the flow of the water in your pump system into a loop as soon as you let go of the pressure washer’s trigger.
How do I know if my pressure washer wand is bad?
Several indicators will show a faulty pressure washer pump. The most common is a leak, pulsating output pressure, and low output pressure. Leaks are often caused by a worn or damaged pump seal. A pulsating pressure indicates that there is not enough water in the pump.
Do Pressure washers overheat?
An electric pressure washer can overheat, but not in the same way that a gas unit will. Electric pressure washers automatically shut down the motor when the wand trigger is closed. The main culprit that will cause your pressure washer to overheat is running it too long in direct sunlight on a hot day.
Can I start my pressure washer without water?
Although you can start a pressure washer without water, it is not advisable to do it. The water helps to lubricate the pump and help to keep it cool. Without the lubrication and cooling properties of the water, dry starting will cause the pump to wear down quickly.
