Click here for a new vertical pump--- amzn.to/2SpPoNm Click here for a new horizontal pump--- amzn.to/2Hic5Nf Click here for new nozzles---- amzn.to/2uAeRuB Click here for my website--- www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
Steve, Thanks for taking the time to make this video. My pressure washer stopped making pressure as I was using it. I had just bought new tips so I never thought to check the orifices. When I did, thanks to your video, I found that two of the four new tips were blocked. After clearing the blockages, I checked the water pathway step by step - entry, exit, hose, wand, and tip. I then fired up the pressure washer, and it worked like a champ. Checking the tips seems obvious now, but given that I had just bought new ones, I didn’t think of it. Your video helped me to see the light, literally! Thanks again.
Got mine working again. Couldn't figure out one specific blocked point but this thorough tutorial gave me the know-how and confidence to take everything apart and refurbish it all, and now the pressure is great. Thank you!
I've been fixing my own stuff for decades (drinking beer most of the time as well), but I learn something new in each and every one of Steve's videos. Thanks, Steve.
Hey Steve. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to help people out! You do a great job at teaching in a very basic way with clarity and easy to comprehend steps! I wanted to add that in the case of no pressure build-up when running, the unloader valve pintle/shaft may be stuck in the (spring) compressed position, thereby unseating the check ball, not allowing the pressure to build because it's bypassing the restrictor. The opposite can occur if the pintle is stuck in the extended position to where the spring is always decompressed, thereby not allowing any water to bypass the spring tension. In that case, the pressure washer will always put out high pressure and worse off the pump will always be "loaded" which makes the engine very hard to start if the water is on and attached to the pressure washer. I've actually narrowed this problem down by removing the water hose and then pull the rope and immediately the engine is able to rotate/start, as long as there is no water attached. Obviously, this is only to be done as a quick diagnosis, NOT to be ran more than a few seconds with no water attached. I hope that I explained all that clearly. Maybe you disagree but I just wanted to mention these things because I've experienced both scenarios. Either way, thank you for doing what you do to help people!
As usual your video is the most direct and straightforward approach based on a reasonable & logical progression to obtain a satisfactory resolution. The easy manner and understandable narration keeps the listener/viewer from getting lost in the weeds. Remarkably simple machines in so many ways yet they can perplex a mechanic who is too self-assured to look for the obvious solution. Your method is the best. You take the viewer into the mechanics of the repair without over complicating the process. Superb video once again. Thank You Mike Kirwan - Kenmore, WA
Thanks. Found a clogged screen in sprayer. Cleaned out works great. My favorite saying is got gas. From sling blade. Had water going in but none coming out. Took off sprayer and turned water on to flush out anything else that could be in it. I appreciate your videos
My Norther Tool Powerhorse Pressure Washer had less than 5 hours on it, and the water flow through to the wand clogged up. After using needles to clean both the tip and the Outlet nut orifice, which were both clogged, I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the tips, they were a great help, and saved me $$ for shop work!
Thanks Steve for helping this rookie small engine Mechanic in Florida. I'm more of the electrical technition but learning more everyday on the mechanics. Loving it!! Cheers Buddy! It's the first thing I go for after work, they won't let us drink on the clock!.. Lol
Steve, my old Troy Bilt pressure washer was completely stopped-up - no flow of water through tip at all. My wand's tip was open but I checked the o-ring on the plunger on the high-pressure outlet (the second place you said to check) and sure enough, the o-ring had broken and worked its way down inside the plunger, blocking the flow. Looks like a 50-cent o-ring and I'm back in business! THANKS! You are definitely my number one go-to source for small engine equipment repair!
Thanks Steve, I've watched several of your vids, always so helpful and easy to follow along. I'm no mechanic but have grown weary of always spending what seems llike a ridiculous & never ending amount of $$ yr after yr to keep all my small engine stuff running so out of necessity I've started trying to fix a few of my small engine issues as they arise, and your vids have helped on several occasions. Oh man I could sure wish I had a cousin or brother in law with your knowledge & skills but unfortunately I'm stuck with a bunch of guys as dumb as me. Thanks again pal....you're the best !
Thanks Steve useful advice as always. I once bought an expensive electric washer that lasted until the week after the warranty expired. Cracked plastic cylinder head, despite draining it properly each time.Customer Services politely showed me the middle finger .My lesson is Aways choose one with metal head and not made by Karcher!
Brother Steve, you are the best because every other video covers the most common problems for when the pump is fried. You on the other hand, know that many home owners (like myself) are dumb, ha! I knew it had to be something really simple because I just used it 2 weeks ago and yep, I forgot I had put the black tip on for when I was soaping up my siding. You rock!
Is there a video on more in depth pressure pump diagnosis and/or repair? Would love to see a few different pumps in pieces and what is likely to fail in an actually worn out, broken or dry run pump, which ones are worth repairing and which ones are better off being replaced. I have a few salvaged ones and although the really big ones are worth a fortune and almost certainly worth repair, it's hard to know how far to chase for parts and when to cut losses! Cheers Steveo! Appreciate all your videos, ya legend!!
Great video. I just got done pressure washing and I'd say the gun was at 60% power. Had to keep layering my passes to clean my fence. Thanks to you I can do these basic checks on my own. Appreciate the help. Keep making those videos 👍👊
Professor! Over the last few days you saved me $ on three front. 1- lost the o ring on the pressure cleaner wand tip quick disconnect. I was about to order a new part, saw your video and ordered o rings to replace. 2- I was using the soap tip not knowing it and was getting low pressure output. After your explanation I realized it was the wrong tip. 3- the pressure output adjustment was made clear by you and I adjusted it to the maximum as it was only adjusted half way. My pressure cleaning unit is in top shape now. THANK YOU!! I review ALL your videos and treat them as very valuable lessons. I am now retired with some time in my hands and have turned to doing my own repairs and maintenance in my mower, pressure cleaner and my two portable generator, specially as we start to look at the hurricane season in Florida within a few months. THANKS AGAIN!!!
Always have silicone grease handy for tips, o-rings, and other connections. And remember when changing a tip to rotate it in the end of he wand to insure it's seated. Otherwise it may end up in a neighbors yard or in a low orbit.
Thanks Steve for your video. My nozzle needed to be replaced for pressure to return. Thought pump went bad but was just a simple nozzle. Again thanks from the USA to our northern neighbors! Been to Butchart Gardens twice so beautiful.
Before breakfast and with a cup of coffee, watching Steve teach me about problems I may someday have is a good way to start the day> Looking forward to a beer or two with him later in the evening. This has been a fine way to stay safe at home away from the covid-19 thing and all the riots going on in the US.
You covered the basics, but not all of them, the lack of pressure could also be because the water supply has low pressure such as from a well with a small pump and tank (not city water) I noticed that when using mine at my sons home across the road from me. My pressure washer works great at my place but I seem to run out of water at his place when the water pump at the well has a low water level in the tank. You need to wait for the pump and tank to catch up so it can supply the pressure washer. The other could be that there is a kink in the garden hose
Holy moly bud Im drinking a Budweiser myself as Im writing this. I saw your video and have a pressure washer that has a pump that works every now and then.
What i did was, install a whole-house water filter, by: Rainfresh ,a bc2 ,charcoal filter ,has about a 5 micron rating, cleanses the water out of all substances normally found in water,
Steve's Small Engine Saloon hey Steve i check all that stuff you mention but my pump has a black little hose and when i twist and twist it start to suck the water and gain pressure by chance you know what can be the issue ?
This didn't help my pressure issue. Tried everything you mentioned, but I am leaving a like because I learned a lot, and you do a good job at explaining.
Steve, before you start the engine. Hook up your hose, squeeze the wand and get the air out of the pressure hose. Also some machines you have to hold the trigger on the wand to relieve the pressure to start the pressure sprayer.thought you would like to know.
I loved your video! Mine had low pressure because of a leak in the outlet fitting. All it needed was an O ring and it was good as new. I checked my tips too and found out one of them was clogged and cleaned it out with a small wire. Thanks for the fun and informative video!
Steve I love your site, here is a helpful tip for power washer low pressure. After I changed all the 6 valves, unloaded, pressure vale, checked everything I still had low pressure. Most over looked replacement for low pressure problems. Remove the high pressure hose from the PW, this high pressure hose is attached to the 3" high pressure pipe, remove this 3" pipe, now after removing pipe look back inside the pipe still attached to the PW, yes there it is "The Jet", unscrew the jet (screwdriver left), after the turning stops, you need to pull the jet out, not easy, what I did, I hooked the PW to the garden hose and the water pressure pushed it out, be careful not to lose the jet parts , (back jet, spring, front jet), small pin hole need to be cleaned out, also the jet may need to be replaced, this is where my problem was, worn jet, easy.... Lee
Steve, First things first. Is water coming out of the garden HOSE? Always run water thru the hose to flush it out before connecting to the machine. Next, Check the screen where the hose connects to the pump. I can't tell you how many times I have seen that clogged. Good tips man.
Man you just saved me. I bought a used pressure washer and it wouldn't build pressure. I saw this video and ran out and checked and sure enough the wand didn't have a tip in it. Thanks a bunch
Steve: I have a 3700 PSI pressure washer and had to replace the 6 check valves on the pump last summer due to loss of pressure. I used it about 3 hours since then, and it just lost pressure again. I pulled the pump apart and found all 6 valves are trashed! There were pieces of plastic all through the housing. What would cause all 6 new check valves to disintegrate?
Garbage in your water supply, or more likely, high chlorine in your water supply eating the plastic. They put all kinds of nasty chemicals into the water we're supposed to drink.
@@dustinmeier9753 Turned out to be a thermal/pressure relief valve that was not releasing excess pressure. Changed that along with the new check valves and works great. The pressure relief valve pisses when too much pressure builds up.
Steve, thanks for your excellent youtube videos. Your videos must save people thousands of dollars. When I have problems with any small engines or pressure washer pumps, you are my first "go to" guy. It's great to be able to check things out with such a knowlegible person. Bill
Thanks Steve your class act work on my power washer for 2 days low pressure or no pressure cut on your video put a paper clip through the tip pressure wash been running ever since thanks dog you're my hero 😅 !!
Thanks for the great videos. On a related topic ... will you please show us how to fix a pressure washer that doesn't want to draw in the chemicals or soap? Cheers!
Your trying to use the wrong tip. Or you are trying to use to much hose. 50 ft maximum. Or you need to unscrew the thing your hose connects to. Just unscrew it about 4 turns
Yes, that just answered my question- thanks! I bought a (Chinese) carb-kit on Amazon for the GX160 5.5HP Honda, and that got the motor running, but I had at some point turned out the (red) hand-turn psi valve, so thanks for advising to crank it in! I do plan to pull the jets on the keihin and poke some wire thru the holes and then reinstall it... Thanks again, and take care!
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon You sure did help! I cleaned the original Keihin carburetor last night and can't wait to install it back into the Honda since the cheap, aftermarket carb (Amazon Chinese copy) is causing the engine surge after difficult starting -lesson learned, ya get whatcha pay for...I will add that I had a heck of a time trying to get the jets out of the Keihin since they were frozen in, but I soaked them with some JB80 solvent, and they eventually broke free-carb threads unscathed, thank goodness! Thanks again, and take care!
Thank you for this video. And explaining the pump. Im great with small engines but this is the first pressure washer ive owned. I thought the pump was toast even though its been stored with antifreeze in it for the winter months. Turns out my tips were clogged. Some compressed air fixed em right up.
Thanks man trading work for a pressure washer tomorrow that's been used two times but has low pressure it's a Honda so hope I get lucky. I got lucky new pressure washer nothing wrong with it tip was the problem they used soap tip thing started first pull changed tip wow pressure.
Same here got a crafstman pressure washer no pressure no easy fix though. I'm fix small engines for a living now lost my job with this covid 19 bullshit long story short I'm an engine mechanic not too educated on pumps. Been through all the easy fixes expecting a bad pump unfortunately
The wire from a wire brush works really well also. It will work for cleaning those small carburetor jets too. Just use a pair of pliers and pluck it from the brush.
I'm grateful, I have learned more from your video than the 1,000's I have watched. Thank you sir. By the way, you can pass for the late Patrick Swayze 's brother.
I'm an idiot. I've been playing with a pressure washer for about 40 minutes, got on TH-cam for help. I can only fix things after TH-cam, because I'm an absolute novice. I went to wash my truck and wanted to use soap. I in turn put the tip on there without allow for that. Once I turned it on I thought oh my goodness I have no pressure this sucks. For your advice I switch the tips and magically I pressure again. Like I said in the beginning I'm an idiot. thank you so much for helping me two years in the future from this video you posted.
Thanks for this Steve. I just today rented a Honda PW to do my driveway, as I have done numerous times before with the same equipment. I noticed right away that the pressure was much lower than before, and couldn't figure it out. I found this video and watched it to the end. I had already checked the first things you mentioned, but not the last one, and when I removed that black plastic cap, I found that spring broken into nine pieces, and bathed in rusty grime. Bingo!
Hey Steve forgot one thing. The garden hose side most of the time has a screen and washer. I have seen them plugged as well. Just another tip to look for! But in all great video!
Great video Steve I recently started tinkering with my 14 year old pressure washer and you have given me some good tips I didn't know about. And yes 14 year old Honda engine still running strong except for the water pump that just seized up. I ordered a new water pump for it so I'm hoping I get at least a couple of more yrs out of it.
Hi Steve Could you do a video on rebuilding a unloader. Mine leaks from underneath my pressure adjustment knob. I have replaced the o rings with no luck. Thanks Bob
very good video. Thanks. I've been watching a lot of video fixing pressure washer but I don't see anyone mention about the water supply. Make sure your water valve faucet is fully open too. This could also cause lack of power because there is not enough water go into the pump. But Steve, I've watched many of your videos, I loved it. Will fix my Ryobi string trimmer next week. I got new Carburetor on order. Thanks again Steve!!!!
cheers for Canada! xD thanx you for talk good, im not good to talk english, but undestand hummm 75% maybe hhahahahha here we talk spanish thanx and cheers
It all depends on the community you interact with, nada más no dependas de tus hijos o de alguien más para interactuar con las personas que solo hablan inglés eso no te deja ser self dependent, si te corrigen eso es bueno no es malo no te sientas mal, te ayuda a aprender the right way good luck in this new journey living in a Canada !! 👏👏👏
What can i say?? All the answers here.lucky i have checked this video before i ordered a new pump. Thanks man,doing an awesome job -talk simple for simple people!
Steve, another condition that can cause the pressure relief valve/ unloader valve to cause a low pressure problem is water that has a lot of calcium or other minerals. The calcium causes a slow incremental loss of pressure. I worked on one today that I had to rod out the intake manifold, the unloader, the little proportioner for the soap/ bleach ( on my own stuff, I draw in a vinegar solution to keep the calcium at bay in the pump internals ).... After cleaning out the calcium, I started it up and still had a low pressure situation.... I solved it by rapidly open and closing the wand trigger a few times, clearing out the last bit of calcium and that fully opened up the unloader and had full pressure back on the machine. Customer happy! Thanks for the reminder about the warn tips.... great video.
@ 13:26 folks if you need parts be sure you have model serial and product numbers if you want the correct parts. nothing more frustrating for the customer and the parts man than handing a part and sayin i need this. smsfh.
Hi Steve. I have a (C)Honda type pressure washer with the vertical shaft that I acquired where the pump was shot. I replaced it with one off of Amazon. It worked great for the first 5 times I used it. After using it today for about 5 mins I lost about 70% pressure. I watched your vid here and you have some great tips but hardly anything was said about the verticals shaft pump. I checked everything you said here. Here is another tip for your viewers. Take the pump completely off and check to see if the big metal ring where the engine shaft goes in it seated all the way down. I found that mine was showing a few threads above the pump housing and I could turn it by hand. I know there is a special wrench for this but I used two screw drivers and a small pry bar to tighten it back down and what do you know? It works again at full power. This is the main pump that rotates and pushes on the three internal pistons. Apparently it loosens due to engine vibration. If it happens again I will use thread lock on it.
Your video saved me some money on my pressure washer. I did everything you did on this video. The spring was rusted pretty bad. Replaced it with a new one. Know i have pressure. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Johnl from South Florida.
Steve, I'm back to business thank to you. (sorry my english, I'm from El Salvador) I did what you show on the video and that lead me to find out that in my case(pressure washer MI-T-M- CW2405) there is a small screw on the side of the unloader compressing knob that i tigh it . Now it is working just good. Thank you so much. I owe you some beers. God Bless.
I really appreciate your knowledge, presentation style, and your channel. I am completing the rebuild of an Ex-cell pressure washer. It has a Honda GX390 engine and an Annovi Reverberi RKV-4G32 pump. Regarding the pump: I replaced pistons, spacers, piston o-rings and nuts, check valves, and unloader o-rings. I had problems with the unloader, the spring was missing. The shaft keyway was also broken, suggesting the pump became difficult to spin. I put a spacer and a shorter main valve spring in the unloader because this unloader and spring are obsolete, and I cannot find a new or used one. The unloader fastening bolts are hollow tubes that bolt in to the manifold. One is 1/2" low pressure side, and 3/8" on high pressure side. These original bolts are steel and extremely corroded. I replaced them with a set of brass ones. I replaced the o-rings on these tubular bolts. I replaced the keyway key. I hooked up the water supply and the unloader leaked at the new tubular mounting bolts. I had crushed the o-ring. It must have slipped out during reassembly. Replaced it. No more leaks. The engine ran for about 5 seconds, then bogged down. The pressure gun trigger was stuck. I pulled very hard on the trigger and water shot out like a rocket. It seems I have too much pressure building up internally. I am researching this problem. I suspect the unloader that was missing a spring may be part of the problem, but not sure. What else can raise the pressure inside the pump? Can the two tubular bolts mounting the unloader be the problem? The 1/2" tubular bolt mounts the low pressure inlet side. The 3/8" bolt mounts the unloader to the high pressure outlet side. These tubular mounting bolts do have orifices. The motor is a Honda GX390. The pump is an Annovi Reverberi RKV4G32. All pump parts are AR parts specified in AR parts breakdown for the pump. The two tubular unloader mounting bolts (Part# AR2121 are"brass"). The original ones were carbon steel. I can't find a reason for this difference, except the brass ones look like a newer design and since they are brass, they should not corrode like the steel ones. The unloader is a VR 3/B. Can you enlighten me about what can make the pressure increase to the point the motor bogs down like this?
Thanks a ton for posting this Steve! I'm pretty sure it's my unloader spring - fired up my washer yesterday and nothing. I unscrewed the pressure valve and the spring inside was toast. Going to pick up a new one tomorrow. I'll stock up on some Moosehead too...
Click here for a new vertical pump--- amzn.to/2SpPoNm
Click here for a new horizontal pump--- amzn.to/2Hic5Nf
Click here for new nozzles---- amzn.to/2uAeRuB
Click here for my website--- www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
Steve's Small Engine Saloon can you put a bigger pump on a 3400 psi 2.5 gallons machine ?
Steve,
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. My pressure washer stopped making pressure as I was using it. I had just bought new tips so I never thought to check the orifices. When I did, thanks to your video, I found that two of the four new tips were blocked. After clearing the blockages, I checked the water pathway step by step - entry, exit, hose, wand, and tip. I then fired up the pressure washer, and it worked like a champ. Checking the tips seems obvious now, but given that I had just bought new ones, I didn’t think of it. Your video helped me to see the light, literally! Thanks again.
You're Welcome...
I don't even own a pressure washer. I just like watching Steve's video. "wicked" awesome
Right on thanks buddy....
Found on in the dump and got it work:)
Got mine working again. Couldn't figure out one specific blocked point but this thorough tutorial gave me the know-how and confidence to take everything apart and refurbish it all, and now the pressure is great. Thank you!
Glad it helped!
I've been fixing my own stuff for decades (drinking beer most of the time as well), but I learn something new in each and every one of Steve's videos. Thanks, Steve.
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
Hey Steve. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to help people out! You do a great job at teaching in a very basic way with clarity and easy to comprehend steps! I wanted to add that in the case of no pressure build-up when running, the unloader valve pintle/shaft may be stuck in the (spring) compressed position, thereby unseating the check ball, not allowing the pressure to build because it's bypassing the restrictor. The opposite can occur if the pintle is stuck in the extended position to where the spring is always decompressed, thereby not allowing any water to bypass the spring tension. In that case, the pressure washer will always put out high pressure and worse off the pump will always be "loaded" which makes the engine very hard to start if the water is on and attached to the pressure washer. I've actually narrowed this problem down by removing the water hose and then pull the rope and immediately the engine is able to rotate/start, as long as there is no water attached. Obviously, this is only to be done as a quick diagnosis, NOT to be ran more than a few seconds with no water attached. I hope that I explained all that clearly. Maybe you disagree but I just wanted to mention these things because I've experienced both scenarios. Either way, thank you for doing what you do to help people!
As usual your video is the most direct and straightforward approach based on a reasonable & logical progression to obtain a satisfactory resolution. The easy manner and understandable narration keeps the listener/viewer from getting lost in the weeds. Remarkably simple machines in so many ways yet they can perplex a mechanic who is too self-assured to look for the obvious solution. Your method is the best. You take the viewer into the mechanics of the repair without over complicating the process. Superb video once again. Thank You
Mike Kirwan - Kenmore, WA
Right on Mike! Thank You...
Agreed 👌
Damm! So well explained, and Very well written! Thanks for this comment!
Thanks. Found a clogged screen in sprayer. Cleaned out works great. My favorite saying is got gas. From sling blade. Had water going in but none coming out. Took off sprayer and turned water on to flush out anything else that could be in it. I appreciate your videos
My Norther Tool Powerhorse Pressure Washer had less than 5 hours on it, and the water flow through to the wand clogged up. After using needles to clean both the tip and the Outlet nut orifice, which were both clogged, I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the tips, they were a great help, and saved me $$ for shop work!
You're Welcome...
Thanks Steve for helping this rookie small engine Mechanic in Florida. I'm more of the electrical technition but learning more everyday on the mechanics. Loving it!! Cheers Buddy! It's the first thing I go for after work, they won't let us drink on the clock!.. Lol
Right on Rob...
Drinking rum before 10am makes you a pirate not an alcoholic
This is accurate.
crew mate of the Dead Pirate and Cpt. Elijah. ⚡
What a relief!
Arrgh
Man, I just changed tips on my pressure washer and it started working. Thanx!
Glad it helped!
Steve, my old Troy Bilt pressure washer was completely stopped-up - no flow of water through tip at all. My wand's tip was open but I checked the o-ring on the plunger on the high-pressure outlet (the second place you said to check) and sure enough, the o-ring had broken and worked its way down inside the plunger, blocking the flow. Looks like a 50-cent o-ring and I'm back in business! THANKS! You are definitely my number one go-to source for small engine equipment repair!
You're Welcome...
Thanks Steve, I've watched several of your vids, always so helpful and easy to follow along. I'm no mechanic but have grown weary of always spending what seems llike a ridiculous & never ending amount of $$ yr after yr to keep all my small engine stuff running so out of necessity I've started trying to fix a few of my small engine issues as they arise, and your vids have helped on several occasions. Oh man I could sure wish I had a cousin or brother in law with your knowledge & skills but unfortunately I'm stuck with a bunch of guys as dumb as me. Thanks again pal....you're the best !
You're Welcome...
Thanks Steve useful advice as always. I once bought an expensive electric washer that lasted until the week after the warranty expired. Cracked plastic cylinder head, despite draining it properly each time.Customer Services politely showed me the middle finger .My lesson is Aways choose one with metal head and not made by Karcher!
Amen, Brutha...
Brother Steve, you are the best because every other video covers the most common problems for when the pump is fried. You on the other hand, know that many home owners (like myself) are dumb, ha! I knew it had to be something really simple because I just used it 2 weeks ago and yep, I forgot I had put the black tip on for when I was soaping up my siding. You rock!
Right on buddy! Don't feel bad, I did that myself once!!!
Is there a video on more in depth pressure pump diagnosis and/or repair?
Would love to see a few different pumps in pieces and what is likely to fail in an actually worn out, broken or dry run pump, which ones are worth repairing and which ones are better off being replaced.
I have a few salvaged ones and although the really big ones are worth a fortune and almost certainly worth repair, it's hard to know how far to chase for parts and when to cut losses!
Cheers Steveo!
Appreciate all your videos, ya legend!!
Great video. I just got done pressure washing and I'd say the gun was at 60% power. Had to keep layering my passes to clean my fence. Thanks to you I can do these basic checks on my own. Appreciate the help. Keep making those videos 👍👊
Thank You...
Wealth of knowledge and very underrated channel. Love the vids
Thank You...
Love your channel! Been doing engines for 50 years and always learn something new on your channel!
Great to hear!
Professor! Over the last few days you saved me $ on three front. 1- lost the o ring on the pressure cleaner wand tip quick disconnect. I was about to order a new part, saw your video and ordered o rings to replace. 2- I was using the soap tip not knowing it and was getting low pressure output. After your explanation I realized it was the wrong tip. 3- the pressure output adjustment was made clear by you and I adjusted it to the maximum as it was only adjusted half way. My pressure cleaning unit is in top shape now. THANK YOU!!
I review ALL your videos and treat them as very valuable lessons. I am now retired with some time in my hands and have turned to doing my own repairs and maintenance in my mower, pressure cleaner and my two portable generator, specially as we start to look at the hurricane season in Florida within a few months. THANKS AGAIN!!!
You're Welcome...
I'm gonna fix my pressure washer...here, hold my beer!
If i hold it I'll drink it all!
Lol
Always have silicone grease handy for tips, o-rings, and other connections. And remember when changing a tip to rotate it in the end of he wand to insure it's seated. Otherwise it may end up in a neighbors yard or in a low orbit.
Haha that’s really funny. I was that guy once.
@@northbetrue😂😂😂 that has definitely happened a time or 2 in my 15 years of power washing.
Thanks Steve for your video. My nozzle needed to be replaced for pressure to return. Thought pump went bad but was just a simple nozzle. Again thanks from the USA to our northern neighbors! Been to Butchart Gardens twice so beautiful.
Very welcome
Before breakfast and with a cup of coffee, watching Steve teach me about problems I may someday have is a good way to start the day>
Looking forward to a beer or two with him later in the evening.
This has been a fine way to stay safe at home away from the covid-19 thing and all the riots going on in the US.
Right on Tommy....
How do you a just the PSI, or even tell how much PSI is coming out of the pump?
You covered the basics, but not all of them, the lack of pressure could also be because the water supply has low pressure such as from a well with a small pump and tank (not city water) I noticed that when using mine at my sons home across the road from me. My pressure washer works great at my place but I seem to run out of water at his place when the water pump at the well has a low water level in the tank. You need to wait for the pump and tank to catch up so it can supply the pressure washer. The other could be that there is a kink in the garden hose
I visited Vancouver Island several years ago. What a beautiful place! Thanks for the "tips"...
Our pleasure!
Holy moly bud Im drinking a Budweiser myself as Im writing this. I saw your video and have a pressure washer that has a pump that works every now and then.
What i did was, install a whole-house water filter, by: Rainfresh ,a bc2 ,charcoal filter ,has about a 5 micron rating, cleanses the water out of all substances normally found in water,
You have been a great help for all of us with small engines. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise.
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
Steve's Small Engine Saloon hey Steve i check all that stuff you mention but my pump has a black little hose and when i twist and twist it start to suck the water and gain pressure by chance you know what can be the issue ?
This didn't help my pressure issue. Tried everything you mentioned, but I am leaving a like because I learned a lot, and you do a good job at explaining.
Thanks Steve. Just watched 4 or 5 of your pressure washer videos. Now I'm ready to go get my pressure running better again.
Good luck!
Steve, before you start the engine. Hook up your hose, squeeze the wand and get the air out of the pressure hose. Also some machines you have to hold the trigger on the wand to relieve the pressure to start the pressure sprayer.thought you would like to know.
Very true. Easy to burn up the seals if water is not running free thru the pump BEFORE starting the motor.
Very informative,educational and worth watching till the very end.👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
Thank You...
I loved your video! Mine had low pressure because of a leak in the outlet fitting. All it needed was an O ring and it was good as new. I checked my tips too and found out one of them was clogged and cleaned it out with a small wire. Thanks for the fun and informative video!
Great job!
Steve I love your site, here is a helpful tip for power washer low pressure.
After I changed all the 6 valves, unloaded, pressure vale, checked everything I still had low pressure.
Most over looked replacement for low pressure problems.
Remove the high pressure hose from the PW, this high pressure hose is attached to the 3" high pressure pipe, remove this 3" pipe, now after removing pipe look back inside the pipe still attached to the PW, yes there it is "The Jet",
unscrew the jet (screwdriver left), after the turning stops, you need to pull the jet out, not easy, what I did, I hooked the PW to the garden hose and the water pressure pushed it out, be careful not to lose the jet parts , (back jet, spring, front jet), small pin hole need to be cleaned out, also the jet may need to be replaced, this is where my problem was, worn jet, easy....
Lee
Steve, First things first. Is water coming out of the garden HOSE? Always run water thru the hose to flush it out before connecting to the machine. Next, Check the screen where the hose connects to the pump. I can't tell you how many times I have seen that clogged. Good tips man.
John me, absolutely. Had a no pressure situation, disconnected the hose and a little lizard ran out of the open end.
Excellent comment John. Thank you...
Now I've got to go get me a pressure washer to justify my rum & coke. Thankx Steve
Let me know what your wife says about that. I’ll try it too, good advice as far as I’m concerned. The reason is good I’d say.
You are awesome. You saved me a trip to a motor repair guy and money. Thank you.
You're Welcome...
Man you just saved me. I bought a used pressure washer and it wouldn't build pressure. I saw this video and ran out and checked and sure enough the wand didn't have a tip in it. Thanks a bunch
You're Welcome...
I like your process. The easy stuff first. Great video. Too bad no one reads manuals anymore. But, that keeps a lot of shops in business.
Thank You...
Steve: I have a 3700 PSI pressure washer and had to replace the 6 check valves on the pump last summer due to loss of pressure. I used it about 3 hours since then, and it just lost pressure again. I pulled the pump apart and found all 6 valves are trashed! There were pieces of plastic all through the housing. What would cause all 6 new check valves to disintegrate?
Garbage in your water supply, or more likely, high chlorine in your water supply eating the plastic. They put all kinds of nasty chemicals into the water we're supposed to drink.
@@dustinmeier9753 Turned out to be a thermal/pressure relief valve that was not releasing excess pressure. Changed that along with the new check valves and works great. The pressure relief valve pisses when too much pressure builds up.
Steve, thanks for your excellent youtube videos. Your videos must save people thousands of dollars.
When I have problems with any small engines or pressure washer pumps, you are my first "go to" guy.
It's great to be able to check things out with such a knowlegible person.
Bill
Right on Will! You're Welcome...
Dude you rock. You explain it very easy and honestly I can't believe I've never tried these things before.
Thank You...
You're terrific!! Great detail and pictures. Thank you.
Do you like that winterizing chemical in the screw on can?
Blow torch tip cleaners work great for cleaning the tips out.
michael moseley they work great on carburetors too!
Thanks Steve your class act work on my power washer for 2 days low pressure or no pressure cut on your video put a paper clip through the tip pressure wash been running ever since thanks dog you're my hero 😅 !!
Awesome Sam....
Very detailed explanation of all the possible problems. Good job.
Thank You...
I’m partial to Yeungling, myself. Jameson works too!
Thanks for the great videos. On a related topic ... will you please show us how to fix a pressure washer that doesn't want to draw in the chemicals or soap? Cheers!
Your trying to use the wrong tip. Or you are trying to use to much hose. 50 ft maximum. Or you need to unscrew the thing your hose connects to. Just unscrew it about 4 turns
Yes, that just answered my question- thanks! I bought a (Chinese) carb-kit on Amazon for the GX160 5.5HP Honda, and that got the motor running, but I had at some point turned out the (red) hand-turn psi valve, so thanks for advising to crank it in! I do plan to pull the jets on the keihin and poke some wire thru the holes and then reinstall it... Thanks again, and take care!
Glad I could help!
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon You sure did help! I cleaned the original Keihin carburetor last night and can't wait to install it back into the Honda since the cheap, aftermarket carb (Amazon Chinese copy) is causing the engine surge after difficult starting -lesson learned, ya get whatcha pay for...I will add that I had a heck of a time trying to get the jets out of the Keihin since they were frozen in, but I soaked them with some JB80 solvent, and they eventually broke free-carb threads unscathed, thank goodness!
Thanks again, and take care!
Thank you for this video. And explaining the pump. Im great with small engines but this is the first pressure washer ive owned. I thought the pump was toast even though its been stored with antifreeze in it for the winter months. Turns out my tips were clogged. Some compressed air fixed em right up.
You are welcome!
Thanks man trading work for a pressure washer tomorrow that's been used two times but has low pressure it's a Honda so hope I get lucky.
I got lucky new pressure washer nothing wrong with it tip was the problem they used soap tip thing started first pull changed tip wow pressure.
Same here got a crafstman pressure washer no pressure no easy fix though. I'm fix small engines for a living now lost my job with this covid 19 bullshit long story short I'm an engine mechanic not too educated on pumps. Been through all the easy fixes expecting a bad pump unfortunately
The wire from a wire brush works really well also. It will work for cleaning those small carburetor jets too. Just use a pair of pliers and pluck it from the brush.
Great tip!
Also the e string from an acoustic or an electric guitar has a good possibility to opening up a small office even an orifice
I'm grateful, I have learned more from your video than the 1,000's I have watched. Thank you sir. By the way, you can pass for the late Patrick Swayze 's brother.
Excellent!
Brilliant fairplay my pressure washer now works great. Thanks
Great to hear!
Good video! I like the Budweiser, and you look like a Skinnier version of Bull from Night Court.😂
What can it be if the pump make pressure variation ? The engine run fine and I having a great pression without the hi pressure hose ? Thanks !
It means you do not have good water pressure from the garden hose. If you use it very much it will destroy the pump. Never needs to be chattering
I'm an idiot. I've been playing with a pressure washer for about 40 minutes, got on TH-cam for help. I can only fix things after TH-cam, because I'm an absolute novice. I went to wash my truck and wanted to use soap. I in turn put the tip on there without allow for that. Once I turned it on I thought oh my goodness I have no pressure this sucks. For your advice I switch the tips and magically I pressure again. Like I said in the beginning I'm an idiot. thank you so much for helping me two years in the future from this video you posted.
Right on Paul! No you are NOT an idiot....
You saved me from an embarrassing trip to the repair shop. Hadn't noticed the black nozzle was on the wand....
Right on
Thank you, Steve, most informative.
Jim Wilson AZ
You're Welcome...
Ha, my issue was no tip on my wand. I was thinking I purchased a broken used pressure washer. It's the simple things.
Thanks for this Steve. I just today rented a Honda PW to do my driveway, as I have done numerous times before with the same equipment. I noticed right away that the pressure was much lower than before, and couldn't figure it out. I found this video and watched it to the end. I had already checked the first things you mentioned, but not the last one, and when I removed that black plastic cap, I found that spring broken into nine pieces, and bathed in rusty grime. Bingo!
Right on
Hi Steve. I was born in Victoria on Vancouver Island in 1943. Lovely place.
Very cool!
Hey Steve forgot one thing. The garden hose side most of the time has a screen and washer. I have seen them plugged as well. Just another tip to look for! But in all great video!
Steve I can watch your videos all day just wondering do you work on cars
Great video Steve I recently started tinkering with my 14 year old pressure washer and you have given me some good tips I didn't know about. And yes 14 year old Honda engine still running strong except for the water pump that just seized up. I ordered a new water pump for it so I'm hoping I get at least a couple of more yrs out of it.
Right on Pete...
Any type of beer or rum and coke, you had me there, Steve you just save me money, thanks buddy,new subscriber
Right on Buddy!
Hi Steve
Could you do a video on rebuilding a unloader. Mine leaks from underneath my pressure adjustment knob. I have replaced the o rings with no luck.
Thanks Bob
Thanks! It was the last one for me, ( I live in Abbotsford BC) now trying to find a new spring.
Victoria bc here
very good video. Thanks. I've been watching a lot of video fixing pressure washer but I don't see anyone mention about the water supply. Make sure your water valve faucet is fully open too. This could also cause lack of power because there is not enough water go into the pump. But Steve, I've watched many of your videos, I loved it. Will fix my Ryobi string trimmer next week. I got new Carburetor on order. Thanks again Steve!!!!
You're Welcome...
Steve, I love your videos and wish I lived closer to visit your shop in person. Thank you so much for teaching me A TON!! You’re a great teacher!
Wow, thanks!
Why my water pressure run for 30 minutes, then come out warm water with alot buble (just like using detergent)?
After marijuana is legalized in Canada, Steve will be smoking a joint while giving tips. lol
A BIG THANK YOU sTIVE We all appreciate your money-saving tips. God Bless You!
You are so welcome
Thanks for the great video!!! Will be pulling my washer apart tomorrow!!
cheers for Canada! xD
thanx you for talk good, im not good to talk english, but undestand hummm 75% maybe hhahahahha
here we talk spanish
thanx and cheers
chilemichael de donde eres? Vives en Canadá y aún no hanlas inglés?
It all depends on the community you interact with, nada más no dependas de tus hijos o de alguien más para interactuar con las personas que solo hablan inglés eso no te deja ser self dependent, si te corrigen eso es bueno no es malo no te sientas mal, te ayuda a aprender the right way good luck in this new journey living in a Canada !! 👏👏👏
If we could bottle up "common sense", we'd be millionaires! 😉
Its been on back order for years LOL.
@@wildbill23c That old bottle I have is still sealed! It's worth more that way.
Best description of WHY for each part...great approach....helps with troubleshooting...Thank you, Steve
You're welcome...
On tomorrow's next episode Steve will be taking apart his liver and replacing the main seals and reinstall. Stay tuned my Bros 😎
Hey, Bud, the beer makes you Wieser.
What can i say?? All the answers here.lucky i have checked this video before i ordered a new pump.
Thanks man,doing an awesome job -talk simple for simple people!
Great to hear!
Thank you Steve. Very helpful. Love your channel and I recommend it to people every chance I get.
Much appreciated!
Steve rocks
Thank You...
So crazy I found you on TH-cam you dated Elizabeth’s momma.
Thank you so much for talking about the nozzle. I had no idea that made such a difference on the pressure!
You are so welcome!
Steve, another condition that can cause the pressure relief valve/ unloader valve to cause a low pressure problem is water that has a lot of calcium or other minerals. The calcium causes a slow incremental loss of pressure. I worked on one today that I had to rod out the intake manifold, the unloader, the little proportioner for the soap/ bleach ( on my own stuff, I draw in a vinegar solution to keep the calcium at bay in the pump internals ).... After cleaning out the calcium, I started it up and still had a low pressure situation.... I solved it by rapidly open and closing the wand trigger a few times, clearing out the last bit of calcium and that fully opened up the unloader and had full pressure back on the machine. Customer happy! Thanks for the reminder about the warn tips.... great video.
Right on Mikey...
Or, I could just make sure the thing is plugged in 😣 LOL
Hey steve. Water doesn't even come out of my nozzle at all.
The little plungers will get stuck shut from rust take them out unstick them by pushing on them then scotch bright them
Thank Steve from the other side of this great country!
Our pleasure!
Cool video and useful, helpful information--thank you! I'll being using those easy checks on my pressure washer.
You're Welcome...
@ 13:26 folks if you need parts be sure you have model serial and product numbers if you want the correct parts. nothing more frustrating for the customer and the parts man than handing a part and sayin i need this. smsfh.
Excellent point. Thank you for that Richard!
I LOVE you but Bud isn't beer.
Hi Steve. I have a (C)Honda type pressure washer with the vertical shaft that I acquired where the pump was shot. I replaced it with one off of Amazon. It worked great for the first 5 times I used it. After using it today for about 5 mins I lost about 70% pressure. I watched your vid here and you have some great tips but hardly anything was said about the verticals shaft pump. I checked everything you said here. Here is another tip for your viewers. Take the pump completely off and check to see if the big metal ring where the engine shaft goes in it seated all the way down. I found that mine was showing a few threads above the pump housing and I could turn it by hand. I know there is a special wrench for this but I used two screw drivers and a small pry bar to tighten it back down and what do you know? It works again at full power. This is the main pump that rotates and pushes on the three internal pistons. Apparently it loosens due to engine vibration. If it happens again I will use thread lock on it.
Your video saved me some money on my pressure washer. I did everything you did on this video. The spring was rusted pretty bad. Replaced it with a new one. Know i have pressure. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Johnl from South Florida.
You're Welcome...
Steve, I'm back to business thank to you. (sorry my english, I'm from El Salvador) I did what you show on the video and that lead me to find out that in my case(pressure washer MI-T-M- CW2405) there is a small screw on the side of the unloader compressing knob that i tigh it . Now it is working just good. Thank you so much. I owe you some beers. God Bless.
You're Welcome...
Thanks for the knowledge
My pleasure
I really appreciate your knowledge, presentation style, and your channel.
I am completing the rebuild of an Ex-cell pressure washer. It has a Honda GX390 engine and an Annovi Reverberi RKV-4G32 pump.
Regarding the pump:
I replaced pistons, spacers, piston o-rings and nuts, check valves, and unloader o-rings. I had problems with the unloader, the spring was missing. The shaft keyway was also broken, suggesting the pump became difficult to spin. I put a spacer and a shorter main valve spring in the unloader because this unloader and spring are obsolete, and I cannot find a new or used one.
The unloader fastening bolts are hollow tubes that bolt in to the manifold. One is 1/2" low pressure side, and 3/8" on high pressure side. These original bolts are steel and extremely corroded. I replaced them with a set of brass ones. I replaced the o-rings on these tubular bolts. I replaced the keyway key.
I hooked up the water supply and the unloader leaked at the new tubular mounting bolts. I had crushed the o-ring. It must have slipped out during reassembly.
Replaced it. No more leaks. The engine ran for about 5 seconds, then bogged down. The pressure gun trigger was stuck. I pulled very hard on the trigger and water shot out like a rocket.
It seems I have too much pressure building up internally. I am researching this problem. I suspect the unloader that was missing a spring may be part of the problem, but not sure.
What else can raise the pressure inside the pump? Can the two tubular bolts mounting the unloader be the problem? The 1/2" tubular bolt mounts the low pressure inlet side. The 3/8" bolt mounts the unloader to the high pressure outlet side. These tubular mounting bolts do have orifices.
The motor is a Honda GX390. The pump is an Annovi Reverberi RKV4G32. All pump parts are AR parts specified in AR parts breakdown for the pump. The two tubular unloader mounting bolts (Part# AR2121 are"brass"). The original ones were carbon steel. I can't find a reason for this difference, except the brass ones look like a newer design and since they are brass, they should not corrode like the steel ones. The unloader is a VR 3/B.
Can you enlighten me about what can make the pressure increase to the point the motor bogs down like this?
Thanks a ton for posting this Steve! I'm pretty sure it's my unloader spring - fired up my washer yesterday and nothing. I unscrewed the pressure valve and the spring inside was toast. Going to pick up a new one tomorrow. I'll stock up on some Moosehead too...