Cleaning different things is a daily chore that we all do. Specific items require specific tools to ensure proper cleaning. One such tool, rather, machine, is a pressure washer. Pressure washers are best for thoroughly rinsing the dirt and mold. We mostly avoid spending money on such a machine without realizing how easy and quick it makes our daily cleaning activity. If we do it once in a while, the dirt becomes too difficult to clean only with a hose pipe. Then we need a pressure washer all the more.
Siding, driveway, sidewalk, car, roof, garden area, garage, there is so much to clean around us. So investing in a pressure washer is no superfluous step but almost a necessity. However, only quality and versatile pressure washers can be an investment, not a duff one, that increases your work by not doing much and wasting money. One such high-quality and versatile pressure washer is the Generac Pressure Washer.
With frequent use, even the best pressure washers manifest issues. However, those issues are minor and don’t imply a broken pressure washer at all. With our generac pressure washer troubleshootingguide, anyone can solve the problems following the steps we will share right below.
Trouble #1 – Generac pressure washer is not starting
Several reasons can cause your Generac pressure washer not to start at all, even after the ignition switch is on and you are constantly pulling the coil handle.
There are quite a few components installed on several parts of your pressure washer so, if your pressure washer is not starting at all, prepare yourself for showing immense patience as you will have to check a lot to find the problem and only then can you solve it.
- First of all, check whether the choke is in the on position. If it is, then change it to Off position.
- Check the ignition coil too, perhaps it’s defective and not sending the voltage to the spark plug, causing the engine not to run and the pressure washer not starting.
- Then, it could be the spark plug. Perhaps it is degraded due to the carbon build-up and needs a replacement.
- You must also check the fuel tank. Not too common cause, but an almost empty tank will for sure cause the pressure washer not running.
- It could be a dirty air filter too. Just by looking at it, you will understand whether it’s the main culprit or not.
- Then, if you see you have enough fuel in the tank, make sure it’s not old or doesn’t have water mixed to it somehow, deluding it and ruining its effectiveness.
- If you haven’t used all the fuel the last time you used the pressure washer and haven’t mixed fuel stabilizer in the fuel to keep it fresh and good-for-use the next time, then it might have clogged up the carburetor along with losing its potency.
Troubleshooting
Spark Plug – To check if it’s the spark plug or not, remove it from its slot, slowly twisting it. You can do it with bare hands. You will have to check whether it’s damaged or dirty, especially the portion that rotates and locks in the spark plug slot. Even slight wear on the spark plug can cause the pressure washer not to start. Also, make sure the spark plug wire is connected to the plug. If it’s not, or even slightly loose, then make sure to plug it properly. You can clean a dirty spark plug, but the only legit solution for a damaged or worn spark plug is to replace it with a new one. The manufacturer primarily recommends that the Generac pressure washer users change the spark plug once a year. The regular change of this specific component proves to be suitable for the entire machine.
Air Filter – If it’s the dirty air filter that caused the pressure washer not to start, no alternative to replacing it with a new one.
Fuel – Always try to use all the fuel from the tank to keep the fuel tank of the pressure washer clean. With multiple uses, you will yourself get the idea of how much fuel you require to clean up the areas you need to rinse and clean. So load the tank with a certain quantity. If you find it hard to gauge, then keep your fuel gallon closer and fill the tank with a smaller amount rather than filling it full. Emptying the entire tank could be difficult, so another solution can be mixing fuel stabilizers to keep the already used fuel usable and fresh for a longer period. However, it’s always better to use fresh fuel every time you attempt using the pressure washer.
Carburetor – When it’s not an empty tank and is old fuel, that means it has caused a restricted carburetor. Or your carburetor components are, or the carburetor itself is somehow damaged. If it’s a dirty, restricted carburetor clogged with dirt, use an effective cleaner to clean it. A better option is to remove the carburetor and give it a mild clean with a gentle carburetor cleaner. If the carburetor is damaged, you will need a new one to replace it, and if it’s just a few components of it like the rubber washer, those are easily available for quick replacement.
Trouble #2 – Generac pressure washer starts but immediately stops
This issue sounds pretty similar to the previous one we discussed, but with a slight twist. The engine starts, but you cannot work with the pressure washer as it stops immediately. Any of the above reasons can cause it, especially the restricted carburetor and dirty air filter. If any of the two is causing this start and immediate halt issue, you have the solution mentioned above. But other than the two, it could be your fuel filter and fuel tank cap as well.
Troubleshooting
Fuel Filter – The whole time that the pressure washer is consuming the fuel to keep the engine active, the fuel filter is constantly straining the fuel, ensuring proper filtering. So, a clogged fuel filter will be nothing unusual. A fuel filter might not affect the pressure washer starting with one or two pull in the coil handle, but a clogged fuel filter can definitely make it stop immediately. If it’s causing the halt, it’s definitely beyond cleaning and use requiring replacement.
The Cap – The fuel tank is filled with fuel, and the rest of the tank that remains empty is filled with air to maintain the balance when the fuel level is constantly decreasing. If you haven’t noticed, there are vents on the fuel cap so that the air can enter the tank. With constant consumption of the fuel, there will be build-up and dirt on the cap, too, clogging those vents, stopping the air from entering the tank, and ruining the balance. So, either clean the cap and open up the vents or simply replace the fuel tank cap.
Trouble #3 – Starts but Doesn’t Run Smooth
Keep in mind that all the above reasons can also cause your Generac pressure washer not to run smoothly, though it starts well.
Troubleshooting
If it starts but runs rough, check the mentioned components one by one, and upon identifying the problem, solve it the way we suggested. If the engine is over-choked, even then, the pressure washer might run rough. So, fully open it before you try starting the engine.
Trouble #4 – Generac pressure washer is not suctioning detergent
Your Generac pressure washer is failing to suction the detergent. Hence you are unable to clean the surfaces with a cleaning substance.
Troubleshooting
Siphoning Tube – Either your siphoning tube is not correctly dunked in the detergent, or it’s damaged. The tube has to be fully immersed in the detergent to get constant suction. So that even if the detergent level is dropping, it can still continue suctioning the detergent. And a defective tube will leak the suctioned detergent no matter how well you have submerged it. So, according to the issues you notice, either dip it correctly or replace the tube.
Chemical and Inline Filters – It could be the inline filter or the chemical filter too. In both cases, the build-up is the main reason. Rather than attempting cleaning, better replace the filters for the pressure machine’s own good.
Trouble #5 – Generac pressure washer leaks water
If your Generac pressure washer leaks water, then either check the pump or the thermal release valve.
Troubleshooting
Pump – The pump must be a few years old, hence require a replacement. Or you might not have used the pressure washer for too long, causing the wearing off of the components in the pump. Either replace the entire pump or the parts that require replacement.
Thermal Release Valve – It is not unusual that you have left the pressure washer on but not yet spraying water. The main job of the thermal release valve is to release hot water as the constant running of the pressure washer without spraying water results in overheating the water. The moment it’s too high for the pressure washer, the valve releases the water causing the leak. Though you can fix the thermal release valve issue yourself, the tools it requires, and the complex component the valve is, we suggest you not to. Instead, try not to exceed the acceptable heat limit. There is no point in running a pressure washer when you are not spraying and cleaning with the supplied water through it, causing heating up the water beyond the limit. If you still somehow failed to do that even after the heads up, better take the help of a good service center.
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The issues related to the Generac pressure washer are solvable by anyone. However, if you have slight confusion, rather than trying and damaging the machine, simply take the help of the experts. It will cost a little, but it will make sure your pressure washer is in safe hands.