Maybe I'm reading your post wrong, but when you let go of the handle (trigger), the pressure is supposed to drop.

Could you better explain what you're doing and what the pressure washer is doing?

I seem to be having a similar problem maybe i can explain a little better. The engine starts up great and sounds good. When i pull the trigger for water to come out there is pressure for a second then the pressure is gone and the water barely comes out of the hose. I checked connections and attachments and nothing seems to be clogged. Any ideas?

Hi,

There may be nothing wrong with your power washers. The problem may be with your water supply. If you are on a well with a clogged filter, or have low water pressure from the mains, the pump will not get sufficient water volume.

When you connect up your power washer, the water in the hose has time to build up pressure, expanding your hose, like a balloon. When you pull the trigger the pump for an instant has lots of water and so performs as it should. Then because your water supply cannot keep up, the pumps safety cuts in to avoid burning up the pump. Pumping air is damging for the pump mechanisum. So the pump automatically shuts down. The pump now shut down allows the water pressure to rebuild. You pull the trigger again, and for an instant the pump behaves as it should.

So to fix this, if you are on a well, and the pump has worked o.k. before check the well filter. This is usually a paper cartridge next to the well pressure tank. If it is clogged, replace it. This should allow more water volume to flow and hence keep the pump going at full speed.

If you are on mains water, check your water pressure. Is the water pressure lower than before? If so contact your water company to see if anything has changed.

Note that some of these petrol driven pressuer washers you need something like 2.5 gallons per minute water supply. You can help things buy turning off your washing machine, dishwasher, showers etc. while you are trying to pressuer wash something.

If you have a wimpy water supply like me. Then buy an electric power washer with maybe 1 gallon per minute requirement. Your water supply can then keep up.

Warmest regards, Mike.

mccormick480,

My DH had the same problem with our gas powered Karcher Pressure Washer. He's very mechanical/engine savy and tried unsuccessfully for a couple of days to fix it.

He finally called an authorized Karcher service center and, over the phone, the guy knew immediately what was wrong with it. He re-honed the cylinder for the pressure control valve to make it smooth enough so it doesn't hang up.

The shop owner said almost every one of Karcher's pressure washers has this problem after a few hours of use (poor quality control). The cost was around $100 last year, but he also had broken motor mounts and something else fixed at the same time.

Haven't used it a whole lot since then, but hopefully this is a permanent fix.