Any tips on dysfunctional pressure washer

twopenny

I bought this many years ago but it's never worked properly. I perpetually think it must be me.

Its a Qualcast 1400w High Pressure Washer

The problem has always been that the pressure is rarely good and it spends most of it's time with a weak stream of water, sort of pulsating but not in my favour.

Last house had good pressure from the tap, this one not good. I've read the instructions about distance from ground, angles etc which at 5'2" is awkward but not impossible. No kinks in hoses, good connection, relatively small area of paving

Having read the instructions again it says call an electrician, part not working but it's been the same from the word go. I just put it back in the box for years.

Our local cheapie diy store has Karachi (?) for £45 but before I give in for new (which may have the same prob if its water pressure) has anyone any ideas to get more than a narrow stream of water rather than a pressured spray?

Frankly it's easier and quicker with a bucket and brush at the mo.

Tomorrow I'll stick a pin in as specified but it's not worked well enough or on anything that would block the nozzle - and run without pressure hose to see if there are bubbles but I think it's just a friday made machine.

ThisIsWeird

Any chance of a short video clip to show what it does, the noise it makes, etc.

I doubt it's down to low water supply, as these pressure washers are quite capable of 'sucking' what they need. In any case, they actually use surprisingly little water, a lot less than if you just ran a conventional hose, for example. I think you can even supply them from a bucket - they'll draw the water they need. Wanna try that?

twopenny

Me trying to get a video clip on my very old phone and even older computer is highly unlikely.

Just a sound recording would be the horrible noise of the machine as its just a small thin stream of water for about 3mins then a quick burst of high pressure spray and repeat.

The rest of what you said is reassuaring - apart from the bucket bit.

I'll have a look on youtube, most of life is there, and see if there's something the same.

I've used a commercial pressure washer in the past and it's just glorious.

I have a love of pressure washing - when it works. Great fun on a sunny day and you water some of the garden at the same time. Love 2 jobs for the one go.

So at 15secs into this video is what I mostly get.

Then a proper pressure spray as said above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTQDrPhKoFc

35har1old

twopenny said:

I bought this many years ago but it's never worked properly. I perpetually think it must be me.

Its a Qualcast 1400w High Pressure Washer

The problem has always been that the pressure is rarely good and it spends most of it's time with a weak stream of water, sort of pulsating but not in my favour.

Last house had good pressure from the tap, this one not good. I've read the instructions about distance from ground, angles etc which at 5'2" is awkward but not impossible. No kinks in hoses, good connection, relatively small area of paving

Having read the instructions again it says call an electrician, part not working but it's been the same from the word go. I just put it back in the box for years.

Our local cheapie diy store has Karachi (?) for £45 but before I give in for new (which may have the same prob if its water pressure) has anyone any ideas to get more than a narrow stream of water rather than a pressured spray?

Frankly it's easier and quicker with a bucket and brush at the mo.

Tomorrow I'll stick a pin in as specified but it's not worked well enough or on anything that would block the nozzle - and run without pressure hose to see if there are bubbles but I think it's just a friday made machine.

You need at least a karcher 4

Mr.Generous

Make sure you use a std hose connection, not a waterstop one. Less restrictive. Worth a go.

twopenny

It's a typical Hozelock connection with a screw to fasten.

It does keep coming off though. It's as though the water is backing up or it can't deal with things when it gets to the pressure washer.

I have to admit the tap needs serious attention. A plumber tightened it only and I'd asked for a new washer but he did it for free and it works-ish. My chances of gettting a plumber for a couple of tap washers are nil to zero.

I did just have a thought. We have a Repair Shop event once a month where volunteers fix all sorts for a donation to charity. I could go along with a few O rings

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I had similar problem when moved to new house.

As there was no outside tap I had to connect to kitchen sink tap, I discovered that the isolator valve under the sink was only half open, which was ok for sink use, so now I open it fully when using pressure washer and it works fine.

twopenny

Interesting. 2 questions.

I opened the stop !!!!!! before, cant remember but i think that helped.
Trouble was it mad flushing the loo make horrible noises so had to turn it down again.

I haven't got anything like thar but will post a photo later when I can get on the computer. 
Above the stopcock is a bit sticking out that looks like an extension for a hose. In the kitchen under the sink. It has a square sticky out bit that looks like it's to be turned with a tool as well.

GrubbyGirl_2

Could you not ask your neighbours if they have had any problems with theirs?  There must be more people than you in your area that has a pressure washer.

twopenny

In fact no. I'm the only one that does my own diy.
Neighbours son 65 brings his down but he's seriously weird and not the sharpest tool in the box. Other friends who might passed away this year. Which is why I'm grateful for this forum.

sk2402005

I had a problam a while back with my fairly powerfull 2500w pressure washer, where it comes with turbo nozzel and patio cleaner.

The performance of both was rubbish, and i couldnt work out why.

I solved it by removing the hose water stop connector and also usinng as short a lengh of hose as i could (so not using the whole 30m on the reel)

Its now brilliant.

a quick test on flow would be to find a bucket that you know the capacity of (fill it with jugs of water if you need to)

remove the hose at the point where it connects to the pressure washer, then time how long it takes to fill the bucket.

your pressure washer will want probably 300l/hr, so a miniumum flow of 5l/min

The more powerfull the pressure washer, the more water it will need (mine needs >500l/hr)