Pressure Washer
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Keeping your pressure washers in peak condition can seem like a challenging task, especially when it ceases to perform at its best.With this in mind, BISON have put together comprehensive resources dedicated to pressure washer maintenance and troubleshooting.
Regular maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity of your machine, and well-maintained equipment can be the difference between an easy job and a hard one.But even with the best maintenance, sometimes issues do occur. Whether your pressure washer is losing pressure, your pump isn’t supplying water, or if you’re experiencing engine problems, BISON pressure washer experts will provide you with practical information on identifying issues and potential fixes.
Whether it’s your first time using a pressure washer or you’re a seasoned pro, BISON has what you need. BISON Pressure Washer Maintenance & Troubleshooting is your best choice.
benefits of maintaining your pressure washers
- Enhances Performance
- Regular maintenance ensures all part of pressure washer is in best condition.
- Extends Lifespan
- Well-maintained pressure washers tend to have a longer lifespan.
- Prevents Costly Repairs
- Routine maintenance helps you detect potential issues early and prevent major damage to the engine and pump.
- Improves Efficiency
- A well-maintained pressure washer runs more efficiently, which can save you time and energy.
- Increases Safety
- Regular maintenance and keeping your pressure washer in good working order also ensures safer operation and reduces the risk of injury.
The biggest advantage of a maintenance plan is that it reduces the frequency of system repairs and parts replacement, which saves a lot of money. A properly maintained pressure washer can typically run steadily for thousands of hours, and performance issues are usually rare.
Pressure Washers maintenance
BISON offers pressure washers maintenance plan. At BISON, we deeply understand the crucial role maintenance plays in the longevity and peak performance of your pressure washer. Don’t wait until problems arise!
Pressure Washers Troubleshooting
At BISON, we’re here to support you through every challenge with your pressure washer. From pressure loss, irregular spray, to engine or motor issues, our holistic troubleshooting guide has you covered.
Carburetor clogged
If your pressure washer doesn’t start, one of the problems could be a clogged carburetor. Old fuel, dirt, or debris can clog the carburetor, and leaving fuel in the pressure washer too long can cause the carburetor to clog.
To clean the carburetor:
- Close the fuel valve and remove the air filter and spark plug.
- Use a simple carburetor cleaner to clean the inside of the carburetor thoroughly. You can also use compressed air to blow away any dirt or debris.
- Reinstall the air filter and spark plugs, and start the pressure washer again.
Defective spark plug
If your pressure washer won’t start, one of the problems could be a defective spark plug. The spark plug simply ignites the fuel in the engine, so if the spark plug is faulty, the engine will not start. Use a spark plug tester to confirm the spark plugs are working correctly.
You can also test the spark plugs by removing them and holding them against the engine. If you see sparks, the spark plugs are working correctly. If there is no spark, the plugs may be defective and must be replaced.
Simply replace damaged spark plugs. Replace spark plugs once a year.
Defective ignition coil
If your pressure washer won’t start, the problem could be a bad ignition coil. First, use a spark plug tester to rule out the possibility of defective spark plugs. If this test passes, then you may have a bad ignition coil. When the ignition coil fails, it does not create the spark to ignite the fuel in the pressure washer engine. You can use an ignition coil tester to confirm if this is the problem.
Flywheel key damaged
The problem could be a broken flywheel key if your pressure washer won’t start. The flywheel key is a tiny metal piece that connects the flywheel to the crankshaft. If this part breaks, it will prevent the engine from starting.
To repair a bad flywheel key, remove the spark plug, then remove the flywheel. Check the flywheel for any damage and replace it if necessary. Next, install the new flywheel key and reconnect. Finally, reconnect the spark plugs and try starting the pressure washer again.
Old fuel
The problem could be old or sticky fuel if your pressure washer won’t start. Over time, gasoline can become stale and less flammable. Gasoline stored in a pressure washer for over six months can become contaminated and oxidized. Contaminated gasoline can cause performance troubles. Drain the old fuel and pour fresh gas to the tank to solve this.
You can prevent this problem in the future by using a fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizers prevent fuel from breaking down and make it less flammable. Add stabilizer to the tank before storing your pressure washer for the winter.
Pump pressure too high
If your pressure washer won’t start, one of the problems could be overpressure on the pump. This is most likely due to a faulty pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve relieves excess pressure in the pump, so if it is not working correctly, the pump will develop too much pressure.
To fix this:
- Turn off the pressure washer and relieve the pressure on the hose.
- Remove the pump from the pressure washer and then disassemble it.
- Check the pressure relief valve and clean or replace it if necessary.
- Reassemble the pump and carefully reinstall it on the pressure washer.
Fuel pump overheating
If your pressure washer won’t start, one issue could be an overheating fuel pump. The fuel pump smoothly delivers fuel to the engine, so it won’t be able to do its job if it overheats.
You can troubleshoot this problem by following previously described methods for overpressured pumps:
- Turn off the washer.
- Relieve hose pressure.
- Then disassemble the pump.
- Now inspect, clean, and replace the relief valve if necessary.
- Reassemble the pump.
The fuse is damaged
A bad or blown fuse is another common reason an electric pressure washer won’t work. Ensure the outlet and extension cord voltage is suitable for running the pressure washer. A lower voltage will cause the pressure washer to pull more current, which may cause the fuse to blow.
To troubleshoot fuses:
- Use a multimeter.
- Remove the fuse and place the multimeter probes on both ends of the fuse.
- Use resistor settings. If the multimeter shows high resistance, your pressure washer’s fuse is bad and needs to be replaced.
Moisture may be the cause of fuse failure. However, long extension cords with smaller gauges can also be used. Using such a long extension cord can create voltage. To keep the pressure washer running, the current increases to compensate and cause the fuse to fail. If the power cord is longer than 25 feet, use an extension cord with a 12-gauge wire.
Capacitor damaged
If the fuse of your pressure washer is not the problem, the following common cause of your pressure washer not starting is a bad capacitor. The capacitor is in the machine’s motor; the motor will not run if it burns out. To inspect the capacitor, use a screwdriver to loosen the motor’s housing. Bulging or blackening of the capacitor indicates damage. To repair a pressure washer, remove the burnt capacitor and replace it with a new one.
