[Neil Jones]

Mark your info has helped me massivly. Am I right in saying that the claw valves you mention will grip straight onto the shut off valve? I'm in the same situation as the OP.

Thanks

[Jettaway]

Just to update, I built the shut off valve that Mark suggested. Will post a pic shortly.

It has increased the natural syphon to about 10 LPM. But when the pressure washer was turned on and running it went back down to around 7-8lpm.

What do you think is the reason. Is the pump f*cked or is it the valves?

[Jettaway]

Something else I have noticed.

When using a hose feed, I can release the trigger and the pressure washer is happy, when on a tank if I release the trigger the engine makes a racket as there is no water running round the pump, is that normal?

[Matt Gibson]

Sounds like your pump cant suck from a tank.

[BDCS]

If its coming from the bottom of the tank then its not sucking it should have a positive feed

[Jettaway]

Its sounding like it doesn't suck,even though the manufacturers are telling me it does

[Jettaway]

I'm weighing up my options now.
If the natural flow of the tank is 10lpm, is reasonable to expect a pump to suck an extra 5lpm?

Also are all pumps built the same, Im looking at ws202 pump from malcleanse.would that fit onto my engine?

[BDCS]

You are looking for your engine shaft to be 1" parallel

[mark bowditch]

Sorry have not been about for a few days
Hi Neil
Should do if you get the right one
 click on couplings & connectors http://dualpumps.co.uk/Products.html#prod5
click on couplings & connectors

Hi Chris
are you sure your not sucking air some where is their a nut on the pump were you can bleed air out before starting up
Mark

[chris scott]

Its sounding like it doesn't suck,even though the manufacturers are telling me it does

Kiam?

[Jettaway]

Is a Kiam.. Wish I was on this site before I bought it.

Theres no air leaks, I've checked and there isnt a bleed valve either.

[Matt Gibson]

When your machine is connected to your tank, does it actually work? I mean does it actually spray water like normal?

If not, i had this same problem when i was helping set up a mates washer. hooked everything up, started it, pulled the trigger and no water came out. turned everything off, and undid one of the big nuts on the pump head that cover the valves, bit of air came out, tightened it all back up, started it again and it all worked.

As someone said, air lock. If your pump head doesnt have a bleed valve, ive found this is the best way to get rid of the air.

Worth a shot. But this wont work if the machine is spraying like normal when connected to the tank.

[Jettaway]

Hi Matt, thanks for that.

When connected to the tank the water does flow through... Just at a much slower rate

[Matt Gibson]

Have you checked the valves in the pump? Just sounds odd that it works fine when its fed direct from a hose. maybe change to a different pump if you do t want to get a new machine. or sell it and replace with a different one.

[Jettaway]

Is a strange one, I agree.  Yeah, have checked the valves in the pump, there in good working order. I think the pumps a dud.

[BDCS]

Kiams are like disposable lighters - should be thrown away when they run out of petrol

[Jettaway]

Your not wrong there. Wish i knew before I bought it

They aren't responding to my emails. Might be time to speak to trading standards about them again.

[Rob_Mac]

Have you left this machine through the winter, in any place that the cold could have got to sitting water in the pump. Even in the back of the van it will get cold enough to freeze.

The machine probably did draw it's own water but through an unknown reason it no longer does. Very difficult to diagnose problems without seeing the machine and what it is doing.

Get it to a service guy and let them tell you whether the pump is knackered or something is sticking or another problem. You have indeed bought a not very good machine.

I know about pressure washers, been around them for a long time but we couldn't find a fault with the Thor, similar to yours.

Long story short a very slight cut in the supply hose (couldn't see it!!!) allowed air to be drawn in and three days of being annoyed!!!. If you aren't mechanically minded get good support!!!

Rob

[Kenny83]

Same thing can happen if one of the pistons are cracked, sucking in air, hence the reason to pressure feed the pump with the gun closed to test it, will reveal any leaks
 

[Jettaway]

I have pressured tested the pump with a closed trigger.

I think tomorrow or saturday were gonna have the pump in bits to have a look and then rebuild it. I have had my supply hose fully submerged in water to look for air bubbles and fortunately none were coming out of it.

My dads an ex mechanic and he thinks the only thing it could possibly be is the valves, as we have checked everything else we can possibly think of. If its not that Im stuck. Lol.

Its frustrating tho because ive got work to be getting on with and yet can't because I need it to draw from a tank