Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: AJ on September 05, 2015, 01:08:27 pm

Title: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: AJ on September 05, 2015, 01:08:27 pm
Hi all,

I have an Edge Grimebuster that has lost pressure at the gun. It was fine last time out, but on start up yesterday it had no pressure.
I had a new unloader fitted yesterday, new pressure switch about 4 months ago, checked the valves aren't stuck and checked filter and hoses.
Now I'm stuck.
Any suggestions welcomed.

Cheers
Alan
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Smurf on September 05, 2015, 01:31:33 pm
Did it work ok after the new unloader valve was fitted?

Have you tried running on low revs with the trigger pulled for a while to see if it builds up pressure?
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: AJ on September 05, 2015, 01:48:09 pm
The new unloader was fitted to try and remedy the issue, but it didnt.
Tried turning pressure down and running it. Tried running without trigger pulled for a few seconds, but it just kicked and returned to no pressure when pulled.
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Smurf on September 05, 2015, 02:08:42 pm
Could be a number of thigs but more likely it's a fault with the pump.
Best you contact edge directly to see what they have to say
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Smudger on September 05, 2015, 02:46:20 pm
How do you draw water sounds like an airlock to me,

Used to hire a Honda setup that drew up and over the barrel, the only way to get water out of the thing was to throw it about a lot  !

Darran
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Ben Marriott on September 05, 2015, 03:15:15 pm
What colour is the pump oil?
Can you post an image of the pump.
How do you connect you inlet - quick release? Check for holes in hose and any leaking fittings.
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: AJ on September 05, 2015, 03:32:26 pm
The machine has factory fitted tanks, its a trailer mounted system.

Pump oil is good. Golden colour.
The pump is an interpump brass head and ceramic piston pump with threaded connections.

There are no signs of any leaks. As i say, it worked fine last time out which was about 3 weeks ago

Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: KLEENAWAY on September 05, 2015, 09:26:49 pm
Is water getting to the pump? Could you put a feed from a tap straight to the pump to pressure it? Alot of the edge grimbusters also have boilers, have you disconnected this and tried to draw straight from the pump? You need to go through it step by step, from start to finish, see where the water stops.

Danny
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: AJ on September 06, 2015, 11:23:10 am
Yes it does have a boiler.
I will try that tomorrow.

Thanks
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Mike Halliday on September 06, 2015, 01:45:56 pm
Undue the high pressure line leading out of the pump start the machine and see if you have flow, it will make a mess but at least you will know which side of the pump  the problem is .

If you have flow then it's a down line from the pump, if no flow it's a supply into the pump problem or actual pump problem
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: AJ on September 15, 2015, 09:08:30 am
Thank you for all your help.
It turned out to be a split in the chemical feed pipe, causing the pump to draw air.

Cheers
Alan
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Smurf on September 16, 2015, 05:29:08 pm
Glad to hear it was a simple fix ...Nice one  ;)
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: DaveyboyC on November 06, 2015, 03:19:18 pm
Have a similar problem to this with a barrel fed Cat pump. It takes an age to pressure up from first start up and subsequently when it runs the barrel dry.

I put a new unloader valve on it which made no difference at all.

Is this just a simple purging problem or could it be something more ?

The inlet pump from the barrel is 1 inch or more in diameter, So I'm guessing it takes a while to purge, is there a procedure for this  kinda thing ?

Pump runs fine once going.

Cheers

Dave
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Smurf on November 06, 2015, 03:38:57 pm
Are you pulling the trigger and have the motor on low revs but not so low the motor stalls?
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: DaveyboyC on November 06, 2015, 05:25:07 pm
Yes mate, possibly 5 minutes on low revs,  maybe less,  it kinda builds up to full pressure then loses it again, then eventually works as it should.

 the inlet pipe loops over the top of the barrel into the water, Is that the correct way to set it up ?

Thanks
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: Ben Marriott on November 06, 2015, 07:08:19 pm
If possible it is always better to have a positive head of water - or feeding the inlet from the bottom of the barrel instead of from over the top. For initial priming either use an easy start valve on the head  of the pump to bleed the air or start the machine with the high pressure hose disconnected.

If you are still suffering with slow priming times it will be worth checking the intake valves. After that the water seal kit / Pistons will need checking for wear. :)
Title: Re: Pressure washer problem, help needed
Post by: DaveyboyC on November 07, 2015, 01:05:03 am
Brilliant Thanks Ben, Think I'll try connecing the inlet to the bottom of the barrel and see how it goes.

Cheers