Typical problems when a high pressure cleaner is defective
Apart from leaks, material wear, power supply and leaks, a pressure washer can have a mechanical, hydraulic and technical defect. Typically, the unit no longer starts, does not build up pressure, does not switch off, pulsates or stutters. Rough running is sometimes comparable to that of a petrol engine.
Leakages and leaks
Lance, gun and hose can leak and become clogged. These defects can be detected externally and countered with sealing and cleaning. It is more difficult with “internal” defects in the technology. Since it is a mechanical movement with springs, pistons, rotation, valves and compression, diagnosis is not always easy.
Diagnosis and repair options
Does not start any more
- Power supply is not guaranteed (broken cable, fuse, plug, extension cable defective)
- Nozzle, gun or jet pipe blocked
- Main switch defective or pressure switch jammed
- Pump motor broken
- Motor is overheated and activates protective shutdown until it cools down
More on the topic: Pressure washer won’t start
No longer switches off
- Leakage or leak in the gun causes backpressure, disconnect from power immediately
- Leakage or leak in the hose, disconnect from power immediately
- Air and dirt in the pressure pipe and/or the gun, remove and flush out
More on the topic: Pressure washer no longer turns off automatically
Builds up too little or no pressure
- Power supply interrupted or voltage too low
- Ensure sufficient water supply, open tap completely
- Water supply line has too small a cross-section (at least a quarter inch = 19 mm)
- Filter screen on the connection pipe for the pressure pipe is clogged, clean or replace, can also be located elsewhere (water inlet side), which can be seen in the operating instructions
- Gun nozzle or opening clogged, prick with needle
More on the topic: Pressure washer does not build up pressure
Unit running and water pulsating
- Dirty valves, loosen the hexagonal screws, remove them, clean them with compressed air and replace them if necessary.
- Dirty overflow, pull out the component under the pressure adjustment, clean, grease and refit it
- Too much air in the system, disassemble, bleed, reconnect to water supply
- Water supply line has too small a cross-section (at least a quarter inch = 19 mm)
- Ensure sufficient water supply, open tap completely
If the drive and unit run stutter, the causes are usually the same as for pulsation and insufficient pressure build-up.
More on the topic: Why does my pressure washer keep pulsing?
