Master,

Sound to me like your not getting fuel to the engine. There should be three controls on the pressure washer.

1. on/off kill switch

2. choak which should be on until your engine starts and warms up. Then move it mid-range

3. gas which when starting and when engine running should be opened all the way. This control should be right next to the choak.

I'd check and see if you've got your gas (no. 3) opened and supplying the engine with fuel.

Good luck, rredogg

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking the same thing - I checked the kill switch and it was always on, and the gas valve was opened all the way. Checked the spark too, and it seems okay. When it seemed like it was going to stall, I would move the choke and that would keep it running for a little longer before it would stall out. I also loosened the small screw on the carb bowl, and fuel did come out. Any other thoughts? I do appreciate the thoughts, as I want to know if I'm missing something or if there are some bad engines out there.

Mster,

Did you check if you had enough gas in the tank for your machine? It could happen to the best of us.

Are you using new, clean gas from a clean gas tank? It sounds like you have water or other crud in your gas.

If it does not have an "easy start" valve on it, are you holding the trigger open? You should always run water all the way through the pump,hose and nozzle (with the input pressure) before trying to start it. This fills all the parts so when it does start, and you close the trigger, it will go into bypass. If there is a bunch of air in the system, it will build pressure to slowly without the spike and not shift to bypass. This will often kill a cold engine.

You could also try backing the pressure all the way off to see if this is what happens.

Does the engine sound like it is running out of fuel, or getting heavily loaded and dying? If it is loading and dying, you could be in a dangerous lockup situation, which can blow apart things and hurt you.

Booster is hitting it on the money. If the pressure washer pump is not filled with water and is not purged by using the wand first before running the engine then you could have problems. Some pressure washers may also have a kill built into them if you try to run them without hooking up water and purging the pump first.

When all else fails... RTFM as the manufacturer will give good advice on the proper way to start and run it.

Thanks for the thoughts; while the gas I have isn't brand new, it works fine in the other gas engines I have - lawn mower, weed whacker, etc. I filled the tank before starting the engine.

I also checked the oil; the first two had some oil in them but not enough to bring it to the fill mark - I topped those off. The last one didn't have any oil at all, so I filled that one. I also checked the oil in the pump, but it was fine in all three cases.

Next step was to hook up the garden hose, then the pressure hose. I then turned on the water, and held the trigger on the gun until water with no air came out of the hose.

The manual says it does have an 'easy start'.

Next I would try to start it. Open the fuel valve. Make sure the on/off switch is set 'on'. Choke on full, throttle on full.

With the first two from Home Depot, after pulling the rope once or twice, I'd have to let the pressure off of the hose. Then continue pulling for two times, the release pressure again. At one point I had the wife hold the trigger open on the gun while I tried to start it.

With the one from Lowe's, it would typically start after 2-3 pulls if cold, and did seem to be easier to pull start. If the engine had run for the 30 seconds, it would be harder to re-start; I would have to manipulate the throttle and choke to get it to start. If I let it sit a bit, I could do the cold start; throttle full, and choke full.

Before I bought the pressure washer, I read on one of the sites that it's not good to keep it running without pulling the trigger, as the cold water serves to keep the pump cool.
So, once I got the Lowe's unit started, after say 10 to 20 seconds, I would pull the spray trigger. The engine seemed to run fine when I wasn't pulling the trigger. If I would pull the trigger, the engine would get loaded down, and stall out. If while still pulling the trigger on the gun, as the engine appeared to be ready to stall, I would manipulate the choke a bit, it would stay running a few seconds more before stalling.

I apologize for being long winded, but wanted to give as much detail as possible. Based upon the effect manipulating the choke had, I thought it was a gas issue rather than anything else.

Thanks so much for your help! I've had many gas engines before, but never ran into a situation like this, and felt I was doing the right thing when I was getting a Honda engine.

I'll try to give a link to the specific model at Lowes:
http://www.troybilt-gen-pw.com/pressure_washers/model.cfm?id=200

Ray

I am also having a problem with my power washer. I thought it was with the nozzle, but I think it is narrowed down to the pump possibly. It has very little pressure when trying to use. I even removed the line from the exit fitting and the pressure was still not that great. Could something be wrong with the pump or clogged or obstructed in some way? I can't find the paperwork on it to look anything up for trouble shooting it! Any ideas?

The syphoning hose should be syphoning detergent from a bucket to the pump. It does not, instead it blows water out of the syphoning hose.

Hi
I have a Ryobi 3000psi pressure washer with a problem. Help?
Lot's of white, oil smelling smoke and then it dies.
Also oil looks watery with particles floating in it.
Don't know much about these things (bought used with no manual)
Has run before but has been stored in a very cold truck work box for approimately one month.
Anyone know what is wrong?
Thanks so much!!!

I have a Craftsman Pressure Washer.Model 580.768322. The engine bolts need to be replaced - P# B1735 (3)When I removed the engine from the pump assy I notice that they may be oil that should be in Pump assy.In addition 2 of the 3 holes in the base are slotted - Why? Multiple application? Can someone advise the amount and weight if any? I looked in the manual but it doesn't give me that information.

pressure washer engine honda gx390. Gas in the crankcase. white smoke. won't start. can I drain crankcase and put more oil in and solve the problem or did I SCREW UP the engine for good? Thanks Artie

troybilt pressure washer mdl #020344 no pressure. good water supply. nozzle clean. pump turning. this machine is almost new.

My Troy-Bilt pressure washer Mode # 020240 2550psi has very little pressure now and also has water spewing out of the siphon hose instead of siphoning?

Sounds like an o ring has gone missing or maybe something is blocking the connection.
What kind of connection are you using to connect the hose to the pressure washer.
Perhaps the pump is only half working and is pushing the water the wrong way
Are you sure the pump is still running ?
Is it an axial or triplex pump ? Should say on the instructions if you still have it.

You should read this to give you a little help

Here is a link that might be useful: how to use a pressure washer

This post was edited by Gav104 on Fri, May 31, 13 at 4:29