My pressure washer has gotten into the habit of running for about 5 minutes then shutting down. I checked the oil in the motor and had the motor checked out. The pump itself is an oil-less pump. The relief valve seems to be in good condition. I am at a loss on what to check next. Any help would be appreciated.
You didn't mention if your pressure washer is electric or gasoline engine driven. I know, basic stuff but the more information you give us up front, the better. What brand engine is it? Model, type and code numbers would help, too. Does the engine start right back up or do you have to wait until it cools down to restart it? Be as specific as possible and you will most likely get the answer you are looking for with the least amount of posts.
So, to try to answer your question with the simplest check first, make the problem happen and remove the fuel tank cap. Sound funny? Well, if the tank cap vent is plugged a vacuum will build in the fuel tank as fuel is used and could stop the flow of fuel to the carburetor. Simply loosen the cap enough to let air in and try to start the engine again and then come back to this thread and report your findings.
Okay it is a Honda Engine (GC160). The engine is what dies on me. The engine will crank up immediately after it shuts down. It almost seems to be logging down as if the output shaft is being bound up.
Will the engine stay running if you are not using the gun? Will the engine stay running if you are using the gun on low pressure, such as using your soap cycle? Have you run the unit with no water hooked up or water shut off?
#6
robert@honda
From what I can tell, the engine directly drives the pump, so if there's a drag or excessive load on the pump, it could be in excess of the available power from the engine, so it shuts down. It does not appear there's any clutch or such between the pump and the engine.
You could isolate the issue (engine or pump) by unbolting the pump from the engine. If the engine runs fine, then it's likely to be a pump problem. If the engine still dies, then it's an engine issue.
Here's a site that seems to have a lot of good details, and even has a toll-free help line:
