OT - No pressure on pressure washer

[Guest]

A friend gave me a nearly new pressure washer. It's a 2500 psi Brute, by Briggs & Stratton.

Manuals here
http://www.brutepower.com/support/manuals/?NTT=020338-0

He said the engine smoked, but apparently the dummy had either overfilled the crankcase or laid it on its side.
After running for 10 minutes, all of the residual oil was burned off.

Next problem is that it doesn't produce much pressure when there is any back-pressure on it.
If I remove the outlet hose and wand, it will blast water from the outlet pipe at a high rate and pressure.
But if I connect the hose, even with the gun removed, it loses its pressure and water just shoots out like it's just getting the feed directly from the garden hose.

With the gun on, it shoot water at low pressure when I push the nozzle forward. But when I slide the nozzle back (supposed to go to high pressure mode) it stops all flow.

I have taken the pump apart and cleaned and blown out all of the valves and checks and I'm getting ready to put it back together, but I didn't really see any obstructions or anything that looked broken.

I welcome suggestions.

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

You describe a possible "unloader valve" malfunction, and the unit is remaining in "bypass". The unloader bypasses the high-pressure stage when there is no outlet flow.

When you get this going, an operational tip that is often overlooked: don't let the pump run for more than 1, 2 minutes max, without pulling the trigger (I typically don't run more than 30 seconds). The water flow is cooling the pump while in use. In bypass mode (engine running, trigger not pulled), no water flow - no cooling. Though this unit has a "thermal relief" valve, no point in pushing it to that point.

Good Luck,

Kevin

 

[Kinsman]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

I know this is a stupid question, but sometimes the simple things are overlooked....have you adjusted the pressure control?

 

[Guest]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kinsman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know this is a stupid question, but sometimes the simple things are overlooked....have you adjusted the pressure control? </div></div>

There is no adjustable control on this one.
I put it all back together last night, but I haven't tried it yet. It was late and I didn't want to annoy the neighbors. I'll try it after lunch.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

Perhaps the bypass/pressure regulator is hung up, might try eliminating it and see what it does. Then you can just replace it if that's the problem.

 

[Guest]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

I decided to tear it back down and pull the valves out. I ordered a kit to replace all of them for $23.
No sense in not doing it while I'm working on it.

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

Looking at the parts diagram, $23 for a rebuild kit is cheap for twice the price - ensure it includes item "D", the unloader assembly.

Good luck on the rebuild and let us know how it works out.

Kevin

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

My Sensei has one of those, and I believe you have to replace or rebuild the pump.

I've got a cheapo 1500psi electric that loses pressure after 10 mins, not sure if I want to take it apart and diagnose it or just buy a new one.

 

[gugubica]

Re: OT - No pressure on pressure washer

Ours just did that. Take the valve assembly completely apart and reassemble. Ours was sticking, the above did the trick.