[AshWhite]

Excuse my idiocy, but what do you mean by an "open male"? do you mean a hose with a male connector on the opposite end to the one which is connected to the machine? If so, then yes I have done that, and when I press the nipple I get flow through the hose at a reasonable pressure (I assume its 100psi as indicated on the meter).  When I attach a wand with a different hose (with a female on both ends) then I get no flow whatsoever.

Regardless of whats attached/switched on I can't get the pressure reading to raise above 100psi.

Derek, I'm not losing vacuum anymore, that was just my fault where I hadn't closed the waste tank lid properly.

Any more help is massively appreciated as always.

[wynne jones]

It could well be something simple and not expensive. Get a good nights sleep, tomorrow it might just dawn on you it's something obvious, hopefully.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

I always keep a bit of pressure hose with one end cut so is anything like this happens i connect it to machine and see it water flows out of the end. This rules out any pump problem and therefore means pressure hose is blocked or connector is blocked or faulty.

[will_turton]

 float switch, i had simliar problem water in the hearder tank, the float switch bein faulty stopped the clutch working, i did bypass it, but think you'd better speak to hm, go check your clutch switch on the front of machine.
hope you get it working man

[Simon Gerrard]

Regardless of whats attached/switched on I can't get the pressure reading to raise above 100psi.
 If you can't get the pressure higher than 100psi you probably have a problem with your pressure regulator. You could try taking it out and see if there is any obvious damage to it and while it is out you could run the machine at full power for a few minutes, this purges any air from the system.

Simon

[AshWhite]

Well after trying lots of different fixes, stripping and cleaning my quick connects, cleaning every filter, I assembled the machne this morning, and hey presto! everything seems fine! Not sure what the problem was, but as long as it gets me through the next few days then I can spend more time analysing.

Thanks so much to all of you who contributed, I've learnt more about my machine in the last 24 hours than the previous 3 months! I really do appreciate the help, I only hope I can offer you chaps some help in the future if the need should ever arise

Ash

[AshWhite]

Does anyone from Hydramaster use this forum? I'm wondering if I take the 5 hour drive there tomorrow, how long am I looking for a repair on my machine? Will they look at it on the day?

[Simon Gerrard]

Ash,
You're better speaking to them first as you may need a part and they may not have it in stock, so worth checking first.

Simon

[Glynn]

On the opposing end to your pressure reg black adjuster at the rear is a brass fitting with the feed from the HP pump going to it.
Remove the hose fitting, undo and remove the hex fitting and catch the BROKEN spring that will fall out hopefully, recover the other half of the broken spring and the ball ( which is right behind the spring ) and rebuild it with a new spring. The spring can be sourced from any decent car accessory shop,although it probable won't be stainless steel.

This was a common problem with these regulators because they didn't use stainless steel, however the new one do.  

[AshWhite]

Ok here's the problem as it currently stands: when I start the machine, it fires up ok, pressure raises as its set by turning the adjustment numpty. Water doesn't get very hot, indicated about 170 on the gauge, regardless of what the dial is set to. After a while, solution/water stops coming from the end of the wand. When I disconnect the wand and press the nipple on the QC of the front of the machine (where the solution hose was attached), water jets out which quickly gets very hot, and the temp gauge rises to the very hottest temp indicated. When I reconnect the hose,still no flow. If I leave it a while then reconnect a different tool, exactly the same thing happens. If I put the original tool back in, it won't work at all. I currently have a wand, stair tool, and a upholstery tool out of action through going through these motions. Does this make sense to anyone?

[derek west]

try a different hose length.

when was the last time you descaled?

[AshWhite]

Tried a different hose, plus when I attach a hose without a tool, and press the nipple, water jets out the same as when I press the nipple on the front of the machine. Its such a random problem, I feel the hose pressurise when I turn the pump clutch on, its like its causing a blockage in the tools within 10 mins of use. It hasn't been descaled for a couple of months, but I live in a soft water area so I'm thinking that's not the problem?

[derek west]

descale now, not gonna do any harm and chances are, thats the problem.

[AshWhite]

Plus, I thought its not a scale problem because the water is getting heated, its just not moving anywhere, which is why I assume the gauge is not increasing?

[AshWhite]

If indeed the tools are blocked, how can I unblock them if I can't get any fluid through them? I've opened the trigger assemblies and they're clear. Is white vinegar strong enough to descale? If so, how much do I need?

[derek west]

no idea about white vinigar. i don't think your tools are blocked, i think (and i'm probably wrong but hey, what ya got to lose) your machine can't generate enough psi due to being blocked. you'll get water through when you open a nipple but not enough pressure to work a tool.

but i'm just guessing and letting you know what i'd do. first thing i do when i get pressure probs is descale first.

[AshWhite]

Ok once more, forgive my idiocy..how do you descale? Do you put the descaler into the drained header tank, warm it up, spray the quick connects, then flush?

[derek west]

take out 2 litres of water from the header tank, replace with descale, run for 20 mins with vac blocked. leave over night then run for another 20 mins and rinse out.

[Glynn]

Answer these questions one by one

1) with the machine running & turning the pressure right up no tools etc connected, how high will the psi gauge read ?
2) with it running & full heat selected, at what gauge temp does it divert i.e. heat bypass lamp come on ?
3) is the water box/header tank heating up ?
4) are both orifices clear ?

[AshWhite]

1)As high as I set it
2) I'm not sure, ill check
3)Yes
4) Yes