Why does my pressure washer do this?

[Johnny248]

Why does my pressure washer do this? It will spray, sputter, spray, sputter. If I put my foot on the pressure hose, then it works fine.

Sorry in advance for anyone who doesn't like feet lol

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

Check your water supply volume and pressure at the garden hose side. Looks like the pump is starving for water. Also check the inlet screen for debris.

If you just started pressure washing, there might be some air in the lines.

 

[Rand]

what size supply hose are you using(regular hose not one of those expandi hoses?)
water turned on all the way?
any screens to clog up?
that is quite odd. is the unloader cycling?
does it do that with different spray tips?

 

[fantastic]

Are you on a well pump or city water?

 

[Hirev]

I see what the problem is,,,,,no crocs. Never seen a pressure washer do that.

 

[Pablo]

How old is the pump?

That could be the sign of near death.

But also could be lousy water supply/air in the line.....

 

[Escape08]

deleted

 

[50yr Street Mech]

All of the above, minus the crocs ... More info needed....Washer age, well or town water, does the pump have oil, hose diameter, screen condition, etc.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

My power washer will do that if I don’t purge the supply line. It’s terribly hard on the pump. I usually turn the water on and pull the trigger for several minutes without the engine running.

 

[Rand]

I usually turn the water on and pull the trigger for several minutes without the engine running.

I do that too pre startup, I stick my water bottle in the grip of the spray wand to hold it on while I futz with everything else.
I do remove the pressure tip..
Start it up pop the water bottle out and put in a pressure tip.

The pump could be on its last gasp too.

 

[TCL]

Wear some shoes/boots. One slip and it will open up a nice puffy gash on top of your foot.

 

[billt460]

I'm betting it's the water supply.... Or rather the lack of it. The machine is pumping out more water than it's receiving. Look at the gallons per minute requirement in the manual. Then time how long it takes for the spigot to fill one of those 5 gallon buckets to the top. You will then know for sure if you're giving the machine enough water.