Nilfisk pressure washer problems

JuzaMum

I have been given a nilfisk pressure washer by a family member. It has only been used once then they moved and no longer needed it. I have set it up and put the input hose into a bucket of water to test (I plan to run it from the water butt). I switch it on and it makes noise but does not suck the water in. When I squeeze the trigger I get a little puff of air and nothing more. 
Does anyone have one and is able to advise? I hope it is just a simple user error as I have never used one before. Thanks

shiraz99

Model or pressure washer please? How long is the hose that you're using to draw water up from the bucket?

JuzaMum

I believe it is the nilfisk compact 135i home pressure washer and the hose is about 4m

greyteam1959

As far as I know a pressure washer will not suck the water out of a bucket.
Nor can you use the water from a water butt.
You need to connect the pressure washer to a mains water supply.
Then it will work.

Money_Grabber13579

greyteam1959 said:

As far as I know a pressure washer will not suck the water out of a bucket.
Nor can you use the water from a water butt.
You need to connect the pressure washer to a mains water supply.
Then it will work.

Some pressure washers can suck water out of a tank - I have a Karcher K4 and it can either be configured to use mains water or from a water butt.  However, any time I used a water butt, it was really difficult to get it started and my only guess was that in the absence of mains water pressure, it was struggling to remove the air from the pipe, thus creating some sort of air lock (it was slightly easier, but not guaranteed to work, if the pipe was also filled with water before turning in the pressure washer)

shiraz99

greyteam1959 said:

As far as I know a pressure washer will not suck the water out of a bucket.
Nor can you use the water from a water butt.
You need to connect the pressure washer to a mains water supply.
Then it will work.

Then I'm afraid your knowledge falls short. Both Nilfisk and Karcher washers have the ability to draw water from water butts.

shiraz99

JuzaMum said:

I believe it is the nilfisk compact 135i home pressure washer and the hose is about 4m

The user manual suggests the maximum inlet hose length for this is 3m and also suggests using their optional pickup hose for the purpose. Do you have any specific fittings on the hose you're using, for example Hozelock connectors. It may be that the hose connector is preventing the machine from sucking up the water. I'd also try varying the height of the bucket to see if it makes any difference.

JuzaMum

The hose came with the washer and screws on. I have tried varying the height. Tomorrow I will try filling the hose with water before attaching it.    

shiraz99

JuzaMum said:

The hose came with the washer and screws on. I have tried varying the height. Tomorrow I will try filling the hose with water before attaching it.    

Does the hose have a filter attached to then end you place in the water?

Eg, similar to this -  https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?ID=13938

JuzaMum

shiraz99 said:

JuzaMum said:

The hose came with the washer and screws on. I have tried varying the height. Tomorrow I will try filling the hose with water before attaching it.    

Does the hose have a filter attached to then end you place in the water?

Eg, similar to this -  https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?ID=13938

Yes it has that exact hose

bengalknights

If its like my Nilfisk one then there is a adapter specifically for water butt and bucket use that looks like a clear plastic water filter with a adjustment rubber on the end (will try and find it in the shed and post a pic)