Pressure Washer Relief Valve Not Working

Using the unloader valve is actually quite a simple process.

Pressure washer relief valve not working.

The pressure washer can do different level tasks like cleaning flat surfaces car washing garage driveways concrete or tile patios and the number goes on to get the optimum performance out of this machine you need to adjust the unloader. Seeing water spewing out of your pressure washer can be a distressing sight. An unloader valve has a mechanism in place to trap pressure between itself and the nozzle which relieves the pump of withstanding any back pressure created when the trigger wand is. Here are five things to check before you assume the worst.

The unloader valve is not the correct way to change the pressure output of your machine. Generally this means that the flow rate required by the pump cannot be supported by the water supply. In most pressure washer valves the valve is connected with whether or not you are holding down the trigger. If your pressure washer has no pressure start by changing your nozzle to a brand new tip.

If your pressure washer is not building pressure and the engine is surging there could be a few different causes. Some power washers may be equipped with a pressure regulator system in place of an unloader valve. One of them is a sticking unloader valve. When the pressure washer gun trigger is depressed the pressurized water leaves the power pump and exits through the outlet valve and outlet hose.

From the outlet hose the water passes through the pressure washer gun and out the pressure nozzle. About 90 of the time a pressure washer problem will not be caused by the pump. When you pull the trigger on your pressure washer if the water pressure is good for a moment but then weakens you have a surging issue. A pressure washer is a small tool that can help you accomplish big jobs.

This video shows the unloader valve in a cut away of a 2700 psi homelite pressure washer. How does the unloader valve work. This just means that a thermal relief valve has been installed on your pump to prevent over heating. Most of the time the pump and unloader valve are not causing the problem.

If the pressure washer runs for more than 5 minutes when the spray wand isn t in use the water in the pump often overheats causing the thermal relief valve to open and discharge hot water onto the ground. After watching this video you may be able to get your pressure wash. Typically the valve remains closed ensuring that no water is released from the valve unless you re purposefully using it. When the thermal relief valve opens cool water enters the pump and cools the system.

The two serve the same purpose but function differently. The thermal relief valve is usually preset to discharge water when it reaches 195 degrees.