[Steve Weatherley]

I have an intermittent problem with my Ashbys Ninja (400psi) as follows....

When the pump is switched on (always after it has been running for a while and is warmed up) the pump doesn't kick in and there is a buzzing noise. Click on the link to view.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzb9ifmLNzQ

Has anyone else had this problem?

[Jim_77]

How old is the machine or pump?

The brushes on the pump motor may need changing.  There might be a loose connection in the pump wiring which means it makes contact when cold but not when it's warm.

I'd give ashbys a ring, there could be numerous explanations.

[Steve Weatherley]

It's 2 years old. I will probably end up taking it to Ashbys but as it's intermittent they might not find it easy to establish the cause (at £45 + VAT per hour). No offence to Ashbys.

[Mark Slaney]

  Could be the bell end, try tapping the pump when its not working.

Mark

[Len Gribble]

Sounds like jamming could be the pump head? Don’t get me going on per hour £60quid to program a key Learnt yesterday it how long it’s in the workshop 

[Steve Weatherley]

Listen I'm not here to slate anybody for being in a position where they can earn whatever per hour. If there is a market place for anybody to earn whatever then good luck to them. Also remember £45 per hour is turnover not profit. Running a small business like most of us do makes you realise that there is a massive difference between turnover and profit (in my case about 50% of turnover is actual profit if I'm lucky) so when I am quoted £45 or £55 per hour I can appreciate the reasons why.
Try to think of it another way - how much would a main dealer charge to repair your van - about £85 per hour plus VAT.
Also when you are cleaning carpets what is your average hourly turnover?

Anyway getting back to the subject in hand has anyone else had this problem with their Ninja?

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Hi Steve

yes I've had that problem in the past. Pretty much as you describe.

My engineer changed the (can't remember what it's called-show how much of a tech-head-not, I AM).
however it's the oval shaped container that sort of "wraps" around the motor where the problem may be.
(I'm thinking "suppressor" but I may be wrong.)

anyway, once changed my problem was solved. Ultimately the problem dissapeared once I changed the motor, but my motor was much older and more used than your's is.

Roger

[Steve Weatherley]

Interesting. thanks Roger. I wonder where I could get hold of one of these surpressors?

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

They're not that expensive. Try and find a reliable engineer to maintain your machine rather than relying upon returning to ASHBY'S. There are a growing number of Ninja users who will  think Ashby's need to re-think their service to Cc's who don't live within easy reach of their work place.

Roger

[brianbarber]

Sorry to ask but if you live a distance what's the problem regarding Ashbys servicing or repairing ninja machines?
Is it cost of sending it ? Or a customer service issue?

Mr B

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Both!

[Steve Weatherley]

How do you go about finding an engineer to service the machine?

[JandS]

Think they quoted me £50 for courier and they said they would pay the return
when I had a problem and that was when it was under warranty.
Plus a weeks downtime.
Ended up doing the 500 mile round trip and repair in the same day.Cost a days
wages and about £50 in fuel.
Oh and the toll each way!!!!!!!
There's a fully competent machine engineer 5 miles away.

John

[james roffey]

I posted on this very subject of servicing a Ninja on CCDO, but little response but reading this thread i see that i am not the only one who wants to save a lot of money on DIY  i am looking for someone experienced in the Ninja doing his own repairs within a reasonable distance from me i would happily pay them to teach me how to do this myself, and if i could find a few others with the same machine ie the Ninja then it would cost a lot less, but no response as yet, on the subject of servicing costs maybe they have to charge this but i am not sure i trust the companies that much when servicing them i was told my vacs were on the way out : plus various other things ended up parting with about £700 times are tough for all of us so saving a few quid  would help

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

When you start the pump do you turn the flow anti clockwise before starting then increase or do you start it under load if so try starting it with no load

Cheers Tony

[Len Gribble]

My reference was aimed at franchised main dealer sparshatts of Kent and not ASHBY’S main dealer (you brought up there price)

Am sure most janitorial suppliers know some one

James

Would love to offer my services but my Ninja hasn’t gone wrong excluding leaky pump head, crack in recovery tank

[lesterM]

I dont know anything specific about the Ninja but the the problem , noise and lcak of movement etc as described would make me think that the capacitor(s) switching is not getting in to run mode.
Its quite a simple repair , just a litttle more difficult than new brushes.
The capacitor will have its details printed on it ---type, capacitance,rating this last is a number followed by u or uf. Low valuse are sued to suppress interferenc from electric psiking larger values give a high start current and then an evened out one for running.
The hardest part is finding the right capacitor
Sometimes ie in old electrci organs some capcitors are so big that they have to be discharged for safety , but this should be need in more modern stuff.
Hope this helps

[Len Gribble]

Tony

Don’t you turn both