Lack of Pressure...what's the troubleshooting procedure?

A

Advanced PW

New member
I purchased a used Hydro Tek SC Ultimate Series washer. It looks to have the original CAT pump on it and the pressure rating on the machine is 3400. WhenI bought it 3 months ago and tested it at the sellers house, the pressure gauge registered 3000 psi. Since then I've taken apart the plumbing and made it my own. The problem is, I've now hooked it all back up and I'm only reading 2000 psi on the gauge. Keep in mind that I've reconfigured and configured the hoses several times and it's been about 4 months that I've owned it. I've gone through several replacement parts on the burner and I've never really had a baseline to go on because of those issues. Does anyone have a "Procedural Checklist" for troubleshooting these kinds of problems?
 
Here are a couple of pictures of my components. The pressure is being read from a pressure gauge located on the front panel. Maybe those are like thermometers on a backyard grill? Is there an easy and inexpensive DIY pressure gauge I can make?
 

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It used to have a soap injector that was connected to the right side of the pump. It wasn't working so I capped it off.
 
Why run the hose from the tank to that connection so high on the machine? You honestly want the most direct with the largest hose directly to the pump.

Not sure why you have the line split either in that picture since I only see one line to the connection to the pump. Also seems that the hose size shrinks after that connection which is never a good thing either. If you limit the supply, you limit the output.
 
If it were mine, I'd bring the feed line around to the front of the machine, flip the existing elbow/hose barb toward the front, add an elbow/hose barb to the other inlet port, and tee off the feed line to both ports. Then run your bypass line straight back to the tank.
 
OK. The machine is set up this way because the factory mount for the 3 position ball valve is mounted that high. I don't use the hose connection and small reservoir anyway. Maybe I'll disconnect it and run the water line from the bulk tank directly to the pump...around the front of course. The option to feed the pump directly from a garden hose seemed to be a good option but I haven't really found a useful time to do that since generally the garden hose gets in the way anyway. Russ J, is there a reason for running it around the front? The nozzles are good. I checked that. I'm using #5 nozzles. The pressure is the same whether I'm using the surface cleaner, bumble bee, or the gun. I'll make these changes first then maybe take it to the shop to adjust the unloader. I was told that it may not be a good idea to mess with the unloader as something could break and then I'm in a real pickle. It has one of those "soft start" unloaders on it. I suppose not having good pressure could mean problems too.
 
Advanced PW said:
OK. The machine is set up this way because the factory mount for the 3 position ball valve is mounted that high. I don't use the hose connection and small reservoir anyway. Maybe I'll disconnect it and run the water line from the bulk tank directly to the pump...around the front of course. The option to feed the pump directly from a garden hose seemed to be a good option but I haven't really found a useful time to do that since generally the garden hose gets in the way anyway. Russ J, is there a reason for running it around the front? The nozzles are good. I checked that. I'm using #5 nozzles. The pressure is the same whether I'm using the surface cleaner, bumble bee, or the gun. I'll make these changes first then maybe take it to the shop to adjust the unloader. I was told that it may not be a good idea to mess with the unloader as something could break and then I'm in a real pickle. It has one of those "soft start" unloaders on it. I suppose not having good pressure could mean problems too.
Click to expand...

If your machines not working right Why are you worried about breaking it.... I kid I kid. What is a bumble bee?
 
UPDATE:
So I re plumbed the feed line. Ran the line lower and disconnected the 3 way ball valve. Ran a single line then teed off to both sides of the pump. I still have a pressure problem though. I noticed the valves in the pump were not seating properly so while I wait for two valve kits I'm attempting to clean the old ones They have lots of rust on them. The pump was chattering as well so I think they need to be replaced even if it doesn't completely solve my problems.
 
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