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Pressure Washer
www.chpower.com
Troubleshooting Chart - Gasoline Powered Pressure Washers Only
Symptom Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action
Engine will not start or is hard
to start
1. No gasoline in fuel tank or carburetor
2. Low oil
3. Start/Stop switch in stop position
4. Water in gasoline or old fuel
5. Dirty air cleaner filter
6. Spark plug dirty, wrong gap or wrong type
7. Spray gun closed
8. Other causes
1. Fill the tank with gasoline, open fuel shut off valve. Check fuel line
and carburetor
2. Check oil level. Fill if necessary
3. Move switch to start position
4. Drain fuel tank and carburetor. Use new fuel and dry spark plug
5. Remove and clean or replace
6. Clean, adjust the gap, or replace
7. Trigger spray gun
8. See engine owner’s manual
Engine misses or lacks power 1. Partially plugged air cleaner filter
2. Spark plug dirty, wrong gap or wrong type
1. Remove and clean or replace
2. Clean, adjust the gap, or replace
Low pressure and/or pump runs
rough
1. Worn or wrong size tip
2. Inlet filter on pump clogged
3. Worn water seals, abrasives in water, or
natural wear
4. Fouled or dirty inlet or discharge valves
5. Restricted inlet
6. Worn inlet or discharge valves
7. Leaking high pressure hose
8. Pump drawing in air
9. Unloader valve seat faulty or worn
1. Replace with tip of proper size
2. Clean. Check more frequently
3. Check filter. Replace water seals. See service center
4. Clean inlet and discharge valve assemblies. Check filter
5. Check garden hose, may be collapsed or kinked. Check inlet water
flow
6. Replace worn valves
7. Replace high pressure hose
8. Ensure hoses and fittings are tight
9. Check and replace
Water leakage from under
pump manifold
Worn water seals Install new water seals. See service center
Water in pump crankcase
(milky oil)
1. Humid air condensing inside crankcase
2. Oil seals leaking
1. Change oil as specified in maintenance schedule
2. Install new oil seals. See service center
Frequent or premature failure
of the pump water seals
1. Scored damaged or worn plungers
2. Abrasive material in the fluid
3. Inlet water temperature too high
4. Overpressurizing pump
5. Excessive pressure due to partially plugged or
damaged tip
6. Pump running too long without spraying
7. Pump running dry
1. Install new plungers. See service center
2. Install proper filtration on pump inlet plumbing
3. Check water temperature; may not exceed 100° F.
4. Do not modify any factory set adjustments.
5. Clean or replace tip.
6. Never run pump more than 2 minutes without spraying
7. Do not run pump without water
Strong surging at the inlet and
low pressure
Foreign particles in the inlet or discharge valve or
worn inlet and/or discharge valves
Clean or replace valves. See service center
Oil leakage between the
engine and the pump
Worn oil seals and/or o-ring Replace oil seals and/or o-ring. See service center
Fluctuating pressure 1. Valve worn, dirty or stuck
2. Pump drawing in air
3. Tip clogged
1. Check and replace
2. Ensure hoses and fittings are tight. Purge air from garden hose
3. Check or replace
Pressure drops after period of
normal use
1. Worn pump water seals
2. Nozzle worn
3. Valve worn, dirty or stuck
4. Unloader valve seat worn or dirty
1. Check and replace
2. Check and replace
3. Check, clean or replace
4. Check, clean or replace
Pump noisy / pump runs rough 1. Pump drawing in air/low water supply
2. Valves dirty or worn
3. Worn bearings
4. Water too hot
1. Ensure fittings are tight. Increase water pressure
2. Check, clean or replace
3. Check and replace
4. Reduce temperature below 100° F
Pressure washer will not spray
detergent
1. Nozzle not pushed up far enough
2. Clog, kink, or hole in detergent suction hose
3. Hose length too long
4. Lance not functioning properly
1. Push nozzle forward as far as it will go.
2. If clean, unkink or replace hose.
3. Use only hose length provided with initial purchase of pressure
washer. Detergent suction will not function if more than once section
of hose is attached to unit.
4. Remove lance from gun. If detergent is dispensed through gun, the
lance must be replaced. If not detergent is dispensed through gun,
remove 1 inch tapered detergent barb from pump. Clean the barb,
and make sure that ball and spring are properly aligned with tapered
portion of the spring facing the ball. The ball should be on top of the
spring.