[APWS]

hi all,
been having problems with my ws202 pump, it seems to be sucking air bubbles in from the return hose in the barrel which is obviously affecting the pressure, it's not as powerful as it should be, occasionally during the day I will get full pressure then when I release the trigger I lose it again, I have spoken to Damien and done what he has suggested (lengthened the return hose to try and keep it away from the suction hoses) but still having the problem, just wandered if any of you guys on here have suffered this problem and if so did you sort it,
thanks.

[Ben Marriott]

Hi,

Are you on single or twin feed? Can you post an image of the pump and the outlets for us? What size filters are on the ends of your hose? How old is the pressure washer and pump? And finally do you have a positive head of water?

If you are on twin feed as I suspect you are you have twice as many potential issues / leak points. If you have bubbles in your return line extending the hose will make little / no difference the problem you are probably having is that you are drawing in air on your inlet and this can be coming from ANY connection - check your quick release inlet  couplings first as these are the worst culprits especially on dual feed. If your inlet is free of leaks there should be no air bubbles in the return line.... cavitation will eventually kill the pump internally.

Ben

[Smudger]

Is Yours the infamous twin feed ?

Mine developed this problem, first manifested itself when I couldn't operate a foaming attachment,
The local pressure washer specialist noticed that the rear feed had bubbles and cavitation - also Ben mentioned this.

I also found that the k5 unloader has lost oomph - replacing it tomorrow, and changed to a single larger feed pipe.

The pump is fed much better now, will let you know if a new unloader sorts the pressure problem out you may try adjusting it to see if you get more pressure, this worked for me for a few weeks, but now I'm out of adjustment 

Darran

[Smudger]

Afternoon Ben !

[Ben Marriott]

Afternoon!
I'm going to retire you've got this repairs thing down!

[APWS]

Hi,

Are you on single or twin feed? Can you post an image of the pump and the outlets for us? What size filters are on the ends of your hose? How old is the pressure washer and pump? And finally do you have a positive head of water?

If you are on twin feed as I suspect you are you have twice as many potential issues / leak points. If you have bubbles in your return line extending the hose will make little / no difference the problem you are probably having is that you are drawing in air on your inlet and this can be coming from ANY connection - check your quick release inlet  couplings first as these are the worst culprits especially on dual feed. If your inlet is free of leaks there should be no air bubbles in the return line.... cavitation will eventually kill the pump internally.

Ben

yes it is twin feed ben and the return hose is full of bubbles, I will check all inlet connections, the pump is less than 12 months old, the machine about 5 years (serviced regularly) the inlet filters are the brass Y shaped ones , would you guys recommend a single feed hose & if so what diameter size, the k5 unloader is relatively new & has no problems,
will post image tomorrow.

Jim.

[Smudger]

Only what I've learned from the master 

Darran

[Ben Marriott]

Twin feeding via a pump or positive head of water of 2-3m is fine providing the internal bore is sufficient and the inlet pipes are of the same length.

In the real world this only happens in breweries etc on electric machines which leaves most to recommend single feed on 3/4 or 1" pipe work using barbs rather than quick release to minimise the chances of air being drawn in through your hoses / fittings. It's always worth checking any fitting you can find for tightness etc as a leak could be coming from anywhere.

happy hunting!

Cheers 

[Matt Gibson]

My advice from many random days of swearing at my machine and scraping my knuckles is:

Buy better more expensive jubilee clips. Thick band, solid hex bolt clips. Gives a nice tight seal.

[Ben Marriott]

My advice from many random days of swearing at my machine and scraping my knuckles is:

Buy better more expensive jubilee clips. Thick band, solid hex bolt clips. Gives a nice tight seal.

And that's today's TOP tip