Recently, my pressure washer has been giving me a headache. Every time I use it, it keeps pulsating, and I can’t figure out why. I’ve tried a few things, but nothing seems to work. Has anyone else faced this issue?
Response
Hey there! I had a similar issue with my pressure washer a while back. After some research and trial and error, I found that the problem was due to a clogged nozzle. I cleaned it out, and the pulsating stopped. Below are some solutions that have worked for others as well.
Solutions to Fix a Pressure Washer that Keeps Pulsing
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Personal Experience | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check and clean the nozzle | 7 | Cleaned the nozzle and the pulsating stopped | $0-$10 | 10-20 |
| Ensure good water supply | 5 | Switched to a direct hose connection and the issue was resolved | $0 | 5-10 |
| Check for debris in valves | 4 | Found a tiny piece of debris in a valve, removed it, and the pulsation stopped | $0-$10 | 10-20 |
| Check for air in the system | 3 | Let the water run through with the pressure hose disconnected to remove trapped air | $0 | 5-10 |
| Replace the pump | 2 | Replaced the old pump with a new one, and the washer worked perfectly | $50-$200 | 60-120 |
Solutions that Worked
1. Check and Clean the Nozzle
- What I Did: Inspected the nozzle and found it to be clogged. Cleaned it thoroughly using a small brush.
- Outcome: The pulsating issue was resolved.
- Personal Experience: After cleaning the nozzle, the washer’s performance improved significantly.
- Estimated Cost: $0-$10
- Time Needed: 10-20 minutes
- Steps:
- Turn off and disconnect the pressure washer.
- Remove the nozzle from the wand.
- Inspect the nozzle for any visible obstructions.
- Clean the nozzle using a small brush or pin.
- Rinse the nozzle with clean water.
- Reattach the nozzle and test the pressure washer.
- Expert Tip: Regularly inspect and clean the nozzle to prevent obstructions and ensure optimal performance. Using a magnifying glass can help spot tiny debris.
2. Ensure Good Water Supply
- What I Did: Checked the water supply and found that the hose reel was restricting water flow. Switched to a direct hose connection.
- Outcome: The pulsating issue was resolved.
- Personal Experience: Switching to a direct hose connection made a noticeable difference.
- Estimated Cost: $0
- Time Needed: 5-10 minutes
- Steps:
- Turn off the pressure washer.
- Disconnect the hose from the reel.
- Connect the hose directly to the water source.
- Ensure the water source is providing a consistent flow.
- Test the pressure washer.
- Expert Tip: Always ensure that the water source connected to the pressure washer can provide a consistent and sufficient flow of water. A kinked hose can also restrict water flow.
3. Check for Debris in Valves
- What I Did: Inspected the valves and found a tiny piece of debris causing one of the valves to remain open. Removed the debris.
- Outcome: The pulsating issue stopped.
- Personal Experience: After checking a few valves, I found the culprit and removed it.
- Estimated Cost: $0-$10
- Time Needed: 10-20 minutes
- Steps:
- Turn off and disconnect the pressure washer.
- Inspect the valves for any obstructions.
- Clean the valves and remove any debris.
- Reassemble and test the pressure washer.
- Expert Tip: Regularly inspect the valves of your pressure washer and ensure they are free from obstructions.
4. Check for Air in the System
- What I Did: Let the water run through with the pressure hose disconnected to remove trapped air.
- Outcome: The pulsating issue was resolved.
- Personal Experience: I noticed a significant improvement after ensuring there was no trapped air in the system.
- Estimated Cost: $0
- Time Needed: 5-10 minutes
- Steps:
- Turn off the pressure washer.
- Disconnect the pressure hose.
- Let the water run through the system to remove any trapped air.
- Reconnect the hose and test the pressure washer.
- Expert Tip: Always bleed the system of any trapped air before starting the pressure washer to ensure consistent water flow and pressure.
5. Replace the Pump
- What I Did: Replaced the old pump with a new one.
- Outcome: The washer worked perfectly without any pulsation.
- Personal Experience: After trying various solutions, I decided to replace the pump, and it worked wonders.
- Estimated Cost: $50-$200
- Time Needed: 60-120 minutes
- Steps:
- Turn off and disconnect the pressure washer.
- Remove the old pump.
- Install the new pump according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Test the pressure washer.
- Expert Tip: If you’ve tried multiple solutions and the issue persists, it might be more cost-effective to replace the problematic component rather than continuing to troubleshoot.
Pressure Washer Models Where This Worked
- Karcher G2600 VH
- Hypro D403
- Nilfisk E140.3
I hope these solutions help anyone facing similar issues with their pressure washers. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can ensure your equipment runs smoothly for years to come. Remember, always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines when performing any maintenance or repairs
