DeWalt Pressure Washer Troubleshooting

DeWalt pressure washers are known for performing mid to heavy power washing demands. The brand makes some really powerful pressure washers for cleaning the driveways, gardens, cleaning equipment, vinyl sideways, wood structures, and any and every hard surface possible that requires a thorough, precise cleaning, ensuring top cleaning efficiency. Moving and maneuvering this pressure washer is super easy. It’s portable and gas-operated, and while using it in cleaning the surfaces, you do not have to carry it due to its large wheels. Concentrate moving the wand and spray water sharp on the dirt and push the pressure washer that too if needed. Because the hose already covers a large portion of the cleaning area.

DeWalt Pressure Washer Troubleshooting

When such a helpful machine starts troubling you by not running or operating as you want it to, basic chores come to a halt. Contacting a professional for servicing is a time-consuming task. Taking it to the servicing center is even more. But most of the time, the issues are so minor that one can do it all by oneself without expert help. And to boost your confidence to service your DeWalt pressure washer all by yourself, we are here with the DeWalt pressure washer troubleshooting. The purpose is to cover every possible easy solution to the common problems that occur in the DeWalt pressure washer.

Troubleshooting #1 – Doesn’t Start

Fuel – If your pressure washer is not starting, the prime reason for that could be no gas in it. So, the first thing you always need to do before starting your cleaning chore is to check whether your pressure washer has enough fuel or not. If not, fill it enough for you to work for long hours with it.

Air filter – The gas is pretty much full, or you have enough fuel in your pressure washer, but it still doesn’t start. The reason could be the air filter. Before you check whether the culprit is the air filter or not, by taking the necessary steps and continuously pulling the switch-on cord of the pressure washer, it is better to remove the pump to maintain its longevity. Remove the cover on the air filter section and look closely. If there is dirt, clean it properly. Use a starting fluid to get the necessary reaction from the engine, and in most cases, the spraying of the starting fluid will start the pressure washer.

Carburetor – As the Dewalt pressure washer runs using gas as fuel, the carburetor in it is to balance the air and the gas. While maintaining the right mix for days of running and cleaning the vast areas, the carburetor clogs up, and it’s common and expected.

Keeping old gas inside the tank for too long can also cause a clogged carburetor causing weird sounds when the pressure washer is running. Other than that, the pressure washer might emit smoke, even leak, and most extreme, stop working. So, if your pressure washer is not starting or leaking, emitting smoke, or making loud sounds even after having enough gas and a clean air filter, check the carburetor. Mostly, it’s clogged.

Clean it thoroughly, but before that, drain all the old gas. Clean every part and component in the carburetor, starting from the nuts, bolts, screws to rims, seals, and the entire inner portion. Use cleaning agents accordingly to clean the metal parts and rubber parts of the carburetor. Be very careful while working on the carburetor. We do not want to damage it by trying to clean it by ourselves, right?

Troubleshooting #2 – No Pressure

If the pressure in the pressure washer is nonexistent and while you checked, it was on the no choke position, then the main reason for it is the unloader valve or piston packings. The pin inside is stuck and not moving up and down to put pressure on the ball. Hence you are getting zero pressure from your pressure washer. The solution is to remove the nuts, bolts, and spring metal parts of the unloader valve, very carefully, with all the right tools. Then, pull out the whole assembly of metal parts, including the stuck pin. Try pushing the pin and see it’s stuck and not moving even by a hair. Use pliers and knock the pin a few times with it, and it will mostly start popping up and down once again. Or just hit it slightly on the ground, and the stuck pin will start moving. Now, just put the entire assembly accordingly with the same tools, and your pressure washer will work on high pressure for sure because the pin is once again moving to hold and release the ball that is there for controlling the pressure washer’s pressure.

Troubleshooting #3 – Pulsating Pressure Washer

Nozzle – Dirt in the nozzle is the main cause for a pulsating pressure washer. The dirt or debris, even rust, is obstructing the free flow of water, causing the water not to get enough space for flowing and spraying; hence the entire pressure washer starts surging or pulsating. So, always clean your nozzles before using them to spray water through the pressure washer. The dirt and debris are easy to clean with regular soap and water and use regular white vinegar to clean the rust. Soak the nozzle for a few days in vinegar, then rinse it well with water. That will be enough to ensure a clean, rust-free nozzle and solve the pulsating issue of the pressure washer.

Water Supply – If your pressure washer is not getting enough water supply for it to run at its full potential, even then, it starts surging right after you have pulled the starting cord. So, make sure the water supply is not low before you start the machine. Working with a low water supply and putting pressure on the pump will only decrease its lifespan.

Valves and Hose – Worn out valves and kinked hose can also cause the pulsating of the pressure washer. Anything that is causing a blockage of the free flow of water in the machine will be the reason for a surging pressure washer. The name says it all. It works on pressure, and any blockage will congregate the pressure in one space, and that optimum pressure’s power will pulsate the entire pressure washer uncontrollably. So, clean, replace, basically do the needful.

Troubleshooting #4 – Pulsating Pump

Nozzle – If the water pump is pulsating and making weird noises, check the nozzle first.In the case of both a pulsating pressure washer and just the pump, it’s the dirty, blocked nozzle that is the culprit. We have already discussed how to clean the nozzles right above, so do it accordingly and check again and you will observe the pump is not pulsating anymore.

Dirty Check Valve – When you do not have an inline filter in your water tank, the pump receives water with dirt in it. The muck gets stuck in the check valve, causing a hindrance in a smoothly operating pressure washer pump. So, remove the check valve and clean the filth stuck in it. Simultaneously, give a thorough check on the o-rings as well. Clean or replace them if needed, and it will most likely solve the pulsating pump issue.

Troubleshooting #4 – Leaking Pump

Worn Off Components – The most common reason for a leaking pump is always a loose connection. However, it’s also the first thing one always checks, so there is nothing to troubleshoot here. So, we are directly getting towards the second reason for a leaking pump, which is obviously the damaged components. There are multiple metal parts in the piston packings. Then there are the o-rings. You have the tubes, pump heads, and all these can cause leakage in the pump if damaged or worn off, or even dirty with residue. So, to solve this issue, you need to be minute in checking all these components. Find out which part got the messy residue, clean it thoroughly. If they are all clean, then search for the damaged one and replace it. The pump will no longer leak.

Troubleshooting #5 – Leaking Hose, Wand, Or Spray Gun

Loose Connection – If you have properly tightened the hose in the inlet, there is no reason for it to leak. Yes, it could be partially blocked spraying water, seeming as if it is leaking water, but that’s too far-fetched. So, remove the hose from the inlet and once again connect it. The same applies to the spray gun or wand. If it is leaking, tighten it on the outlets. Loose connection on any of the outlets causes leakage in the pressure washer, and tightening is the ultimate solution.

Seal – Another reason for a leaking hose is the damaged seal. Either the o-ring hasn’t sealed the hole properly, or it is damaged due to prolonged use. O-rings are easily replaceable as they are readily available for general people to buy whenever they want to.

DeWalt Pressure Washer Troubleshooting