Although pressure washers are durable, powerful machines, they’re not immune to damage. Although most of the sounds a pressure washer makes are normal, some can indicate significant internal damage that requires a service call.
If you hear one of these sounds from your usual quiet machine, turn off your machine and check for signs of damage. If you can’t find any obvious issues, don’t use your machine again until it’s been checked by an authorized service technician.
Whistling or Squeaking Sounds
Pressure washers often emit a high-pitched whistle or squeak as water is forced through the machine’s pump mechanism. This sound usually isn’t indicative of any major problem and will stop once the water flow stops. However, if the noise continues after the trigger has been released, it could indicate a problem with your pump or unloader valve.
Clicking or Rattling Noises
Older pressure washers often make clicking noises as their electric motors start and stop — it’s not a cause for concern as long as the motor turns on as expected when you press the power button. However, if you hear unusual rattling noises from your pressure washer’s engine compartment, it could indicate a problem with your pump or unloader valve.
Knocking sounds when pulling starter rope.
This could be caused by a faulty flywheel key or worn crankshaft keyway, which will require replacement of the flywheel key or crankshaft keyway by an authorized service dealer before operating further.
Loud knocking or Thumping
If it happens during operation at high pressure setting (2200-3000 PSI). If this happens, turn off immediately and check for bent connecting rods in both cylinders using feeler gauges; replace them as necessary before operating further!
Common Causes of Unusual Noises in Pressure Washers
If your pressure washer starts making a strange noise, you should immediately turn it off. The noise could be coming from a variety of different sources, including the pump, engine, and hose. The noise might also mean that something is broken or loose.
Cavitation
Cavitation occurs when water doesn’t reach the pump fast enough. The result is a vibrating or fluttering sound. To prevent this from happening, make sure to use the longest hose possible and keep it as straight as possible. You can also try using a larger diameter hose.
Air Leak
An air leak can create a fluttering sound or hissing sound and will typically occur at the connection between the pump and motor or between the hose and pump. If you hear an air leak sound, try tightening all of your connections with a wrench. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace one or more of the o-rings in your pressure washer’s pump assembly kit.
Misaligned Pump
This is an easy fix. All you need to do is make sure that the pump is aligned correctly on the engine shaft. If it isn’t, there will be too much play in the pump when it is attached to the engine, and this can cause some loud noises while in use. Most of the time, all you need to do is loosen and tighten some screws to get this adjusted correctly.
The technology, however, keeps growing and so, you may have heard a sound that has not been recorded here. Please visit the experts at the Giraffetools collections for guidance on the same.
