My new pressure washer is haywire. Helllllp

[hslogger]

My new Northern Tool pressure washer started out wonderfully. I dunno what happened. First time out. Ran it for an hour and a half, two at the max. Shut down. Put some more gas in and yank on it to rock and roll again. Nada. Dang near tore my arm off. Then the starter rope slipped out my hands and went back to the assembly. I made sure there was water in it and had it flowing out the nozzle.. Manual says don't let the starter rope go back under duress.

I took the starter rope assembly off and it seems to be fine as near as I can figure. Motor is hard to turn over by hand. HARD. So I pull the spark plug and I can turn it by hand. I am at a total loss. Any bright ideas? It is a Honda motor.The best. I just can't imagine what is wrong.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Did you make sure its back in the "Run" position and throttle is full (or at least 3/4)? Also, most engines don't need choke ofter the initial startup, so make sure thats off.

As for the hard to pull, release the pressure in the wand. After a few attempts at pulling, you are building pressure.

 

[sea2summit]

I hold the nozzle open while I’m pulling. Oddly, according to science that increases the working load but I feel better about it anyway. Also, I run the throttle down for the last 3-5 minutes before I shut it down to let it cool off, I’ve never liked shutting off a hot engine. I also drain the carb every time during my shutdown but it doesn’t sound like that has anything to do with your issue.

What did you do for break in? How’s the engine oil? How is the pump oil? Will it pull easily if you disconnect the HP hose from the pump?

 

[fried1765]

My new Northern Tool pressure washer started out wonderfully. I dunno what happened. First time out. Ran it for an hour and a half, two at the max. Shut down. Put some more gas in and yank on it to rock and roll again. Nada. Dang near tore my arm off. Then the starter rope slipped out my hands and went back to the assembly. I made sure there was water in it and had it flowing out the nozzle.. Manual says don't let the starter rope go back under duress.

I took the starter rope assembly off and it seems to be fine as near as I can figure. Motor is hard to turn over by hand. HARD. So I pull the spark plug and I can turn it by hand. I am at a total loss. Any bright ideas? It is a Honda motor.The best. I just can't imagine what is wrong.

Which "Honda engine" do you have?
Is the engine color black or red?

 

[hslogger]

Which "Honda engine" do you have?
Is the engine color black or red?

Red GX390, muffler is black air cleaner shroud is black

 

[fried1765]

Red GX390, muffler is black air cleaner shroud is black

Red GX390 is a top quality Honda (black Hondas are cheaper version)
GX390 is great engine...I have one.

 

[hslogger]

I have run rentals that were garbage and easier to start.. Here it is morning and I try to start, of course I have the wand engaged and it busts my butt. Total resistance, need to be King Kong. I pull the plug out again and it turns easeeee.
I just don't get it. It's like I need a compression release. Thanks for your inputs so far

 

[Fixastuff]

A little water in the cylinder will cause what you're describing.

 

[plowhog]

Take the plug out, and squirt some starter fluid down the plug hole. Replace plug, pull it and see if it fires.

btw it does sound like you are pulling against the force from the pressurized pump. Although squeezing the wand trigger should relieve that-- as others pointed out. You might consider removing the pressurized hose to ensure there is no restriction-- but replace it before running the engine.

I once had a tractor that would crank once or twice then stop like the battery was dead. After investigating, I learned the hydraulic pump was deadheaded and the buildup of force from that would stop the tractor from turning over. Upon switching a diverter valve it immediately fired up as normal. (I safety wired that valve so it could not be put into the wrong position again.)

 

[ruffdog]

I have run rentals that were garbage and easier to start.. Here it is morning and I try to start, of course I have the wand engaged and it busts my butt. Total resistance, need to be King Kong. I pull the plug out again and it turns easeeee.
I just don't get it. It's like I need a compression release. Thanks for your inputs so far

Some engines have an automatic decompression mechanism attached to the cam shaft. At slow speeds, like when pulling on the starter cord, the exhaust valve is held open slightly. After it starts, centrifugal action eliminates this from engaging. If the valves need adjusting, sometimes the valves are loose enough that the decompression doesn't work as it should. Or, maybe the mechanism is broken or stuck?