Pressure Washer

 H2: What is the unloader valve?

Pressure washers have an unloader valve on the top of their pump system.  There is often a black handle located above the valve that should help you to recognise it, although this does depend on which model your pressure washer is.

 

The unloader valve is used to divert the water that goes into the pump system.  The valve directs the water into a loop when you release the trigger on the pressure washer, and this means that the water maintains its pressure even as it is coming out through the nozzle.

 

The unloader valve also does another job as it prevents the water pressure from getting too high or from dropping too low.  If there is a problem with the unloader valve then the pressure washer will not work when you release its trigger.

 

The following steps will help you to solve any problems you might experience with the unloader valve on your pressure washer.

 

H2: How to repair a pressure washer

To repair your pressure washer you will need a few simple tools which are:

 

-  Alcohol for cleaning the parts with

-  Grease to oil the parts of the unloader valve

-  Wrench

-  Screwdriver

 

H3: How to unplug the unloader valve

If you’re going to repair a pressure washer then the first thing you need to do is locate the unloader valve.  This is usually quite easy to do as it is often found above the pump system and has a black handle that makes it easy to spot.  It can sometimes depend on the make of your pressure washer, but the unloader valve will usually be visible and easy to spot and recognise.

 

Once you have found the unloader valve then you need to use the screwdriver to unfasten it.  A retaining pin is used to keep the unloader valve in its correct position.  It will be a metal pin that is U-shaped and it goes through the unloader valve and the bay where it is situated.  Once you have found the pin then you can remove it with the screwdriver.

 

H3: Remove the unloader valve

The next thing you need to do, once you have removed the retaining pin, is to take the unloader valve out of the bay where it is situated.  To do this you will need to pull it off the structure that was keeping it in place in the bay.

 

This can be quite hard to do with only your hands as there’s not much space in the area where the valve is.  Therefore, the easiest way to remove it is to use something as a lever to do it with.  The screwdriver is ideal for this job and you should then be able to just pop the valve out of the bay.

 

H3: Check the piston

Now that the unloader valve has been removed from its bay then you can inspect it much easier.  If you look at the valve then you should be able to see a piston at one end.  This piston is the main part of the valve and it is essential that it works correctly as it is responsible for the proper functioning of the valve.

 

As you inspect the piston you should check to see if it moves backwards and forwards freely - if it doesn’t then you have found the reason why your pressure washer isn’t working properly as if the piston doesn’t work properly then it will make the pressure washer shut off.

 

You can repair the piston by doing the following:

 

1. First of all you will need to use the wrench to remove the nut that has been keeping the piston in place.

 

2. Next, you should remove the spring and piston from the unloader valve.

 

3. Using the alcohol, clean the piston thoroughly.  If you don’t have any alcohol then you can use kerosene instead, so long as you make sure all of the dirt and grease are removed.

 

4. Grease both the piston and the spring.

 

5. Now you should be able to put all of the parts back together.

 

Sometimes the pressure washer still might not work properly even though the piston is moving freely.  If this happens then there are a few other things you can check.

 

H3: Check the valve’s setting

The main role of the unloader valve is to control and maintain the pressure of the water and they are usually set up to control the water pressure manually.  If the setting of the valve is too high then too much pressure can build up and the pump cannot release it easily, which can then result in the engine failing.  It is also possible for the engine to stall if the valve is set too low as the water hasn’t reached the minimum amount of pressure that is required.

 

You can regulate the settings by doing the following:

 

1.  First of all you need to make sure that you are using the correct nozzle on the pressure washer for the amount of pressure that you are intending to use.  You should also make sure that the engine is working properly.

 

2. Next, you need to find the knob that is used to adjust the unloader valve.  This will usually be black.

 

3. Now you should use a pressure gauge to check the pressure of the water.  To do this you should put it between the pump and the hose and ensure that you are able to see it while you release water from the pressure washer and adjust the setting on the valve.

 

4. You will now need to regulate the valve by releasing water from the washer and tightening the valves adjuster knob.

 

5. Once you have reached maximum pressure then you can release the trigger.  The pressure should be between 6% and 9% and this is where you want the adjusting knob to be set to.

 

H3: Check the O-Ring

If you have checked the pressure of the water and the piston is working correctly but your pressure washer is still not working properly then you should take a look at the O-ring.  O-rings are also called seals or sometimes washers as they are used to seal the pump and to prevent it from leaking.

 

Sometimes they can deteriorate and so don’t function correctly which can cause the washer to stall.  If the O-ring has deteriorated then you will need to buy a new one and replace it.

 

H3: Reinsert the unloader valve

If you haven’t already done so, then you will need to return the unloader valve to its bay and secure the retaining pin.  Once you have done that then you can  see if the pressure washer is now working properly.  Even if the washer is now working properly you should always do the following checks before using the pressure washer again.

 

H3: Finish your inspection

Before using the pressure washer again it is a good idea to check a few more things to make sure that it is in full working order and doesn’t need servicing.

 

1.  You should always check that the engine is working correctly.

2. Check that the water inlet looks to be in good working order and doesn’t show any signs of wear and tear.

3. Check that the air filters are clean, especially if it’s a while since the pressure washer was used.

4. Clean the spark plug with alcohol.

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