Shark pressure washer troubleshooting

Improper use, poor quality of water, power surges can cause damage to high-pressure cleaners. We offer the troubleshooting system, with the help of which you will be able to determine the cause and make a simple repair yourself.

Shark 4-011201S pressure washer troubleshooting

PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSES	SOLUTION
NO SAND BEING DRAWN INTO SYSTEM	Rugged sand pot, probe or hose	Remove obstruction.
	Wet sand	Use only dry sand.
	Rugged spray nozzle	Remove nozzle with 9/16″ socket and clean.
	Air leaks at hose connection	Keep connections tight and in good repair.
	Valve on wand open	Close valve.
	Cone or probe closed	Turn cone to open position.
	Sand probe not imbedded in sand	Keep probe in sand.
LOW SAND FLOW	Low water pressure	Check pump and nozzle for improper operation.
	Collapsed hose	Replace hose or remove obstruction.
	Clogged hose or probe	Clear obstruction.
	Air leaks at hose connections	Keep connection tight.

Shark SMT-354037E pressure washer troubleshooting

PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSE	SOLUTION
LOW OPERATING PRESSURE	Faulty pressure gauge	Install new gauge.
	Insufficient water supply	Use larger supply hose; clean filter at water inlet.
	Old, worn or incorrect spray nozzle	Match nozzle number to machine and/or replace with new nozzle.
	Belt slippage	Tighten or replace; use correct belt.
	Plumbing or hose leak	Check plumbing system for leaks. Retape leaks with teflon tape.
	Faulty or mis-adjusted unloader valve	Adjust unloader for proper pressure. Install repair kit when needed.
	Worn packing in pump	Install new packing kit.
	Fouled or dirty inlet or discharge valves in pump	Clean inlet and discharge valves.
	Worn inlet or discharge valves	Replace with valve kit.
	Obstruction in spray nozzle	Remove obstruction.
	Leaking pressure control valve	Rebuild or replace as needed.
	Slow engine RPM	Set engine speed at proper specifications.
	Pump sucking air	Check water supply and possibility of air seepage.
	Valves sticking
	Unloader valve seat faulty
BURNER WILL NOT LIGHT	Little or no fuel	Fill tank with fuel.
	Improper fuel or water in fuel	Drain fuel tank and fill with proper fuel.
	Clogged fuel line	Clean or replace.
	Plugged fuel filter	Replace as needed.
	Mis-adjusted burner air bands	Readjust air bands for clean burn.
	Little or no fuel pressure from fuel pump	Increase fuel pressure to specification and/ or replace fuel pump. Test with pressure gauge.
	Faulty burner transformer	Test transformer for proper arc between contacts. Replace as needed.
	Disconnected or short in electrical wiring	All wire contacts should be clean and tight. No breaks in wire
BURNER WILL NOT LIGHT	Flex coupling slipping on fuel pump shaft or burner motor shaft	Replace if needed.
	On-Off switch defective	Check for electrical current reaching burner assembly with burner switch on.
	Heavy sooting on coil and burner can cause interruption of air flow and shorting of electrodes	Clean as required.
	Improper electrode setting	Check and reset according to diagram in Operator’s Manual.
	Fuel not reaching combustion chamber	Check fuel pump for proper flow. Check solenoid flow switch on machines with spray gun control, for proper on-off fuel flow control.
	Clogged burner nozzle	Clean as required.
	Thermostat faulty or slow engine speed	Increase engine RPM to increase voltage.
	Flow switch malfunction	Remove, test for continuity and replace as needed.
	Flow solenoid malfunction	Replace if needed.
FLUCTUATING PRESSURE	Valves worn	Check and replace if necessary.
	Blockage in valve	Check and replace if necessary.
	Pump sucking air	Check water supply and air seepage at joints in suction line.
	Worn piston packing	Check and replace if necessary.
MACHINE SMOKES	Improper fuel or water in fuel	Drain tank and replace contaminated fuel.
	Improper air adjustment	Readjust air bands on burner assembly.
	Low fuel pressure	Adjust fuel pump pressure to specifications.
	Plugged or dirty burner nozzle	Replace nozzle.
	Faulty burner nozzle spray pattern	Replace nozzle.
	Heavy accumulation of soot on coils and burner assembly	Remove coils and burner assembly, clean thoroughly.
	Misaligned electrode setting	Realign electrodes to specifications.
	Obstruction in smoke stack	Check for insulation blockage or other foreign objects.
	Low engine RPM	Increase RPM
LOW WATER TEMPERATURE	Improper fuel or water in fuel	Replace with clean and proper fuel.
	Low fuel pressure	Increase fuel pressure.
	Weak fuel pump	Check fuel pump pressure. Replace pump if needed.
	Fuel filter partially clogged	Replace as needed.
	Soot build-up on coils not allowing heat transfer	Clean coils.
	Improper burner nozzle	See nozzle specifications, (page 30)
WATER TEMPERATURE TOO HOT	Incoming water to machine warm or hot	Lower incoming water temperature.
	Fuel pump pressure too high	See specifications for proper fuel pressure.
	Fuel pump defective	Replace fuel pump.
	Detergent line sucking air	Tighten all clamps. Check detergent lines for holes.
	Defective temperature switch	Replace.
	Incorrect fuel nozzle size	See specifications for proper fuel nozzle
	Insufficient water supplied	Check water G.P.M. to machine.
	Restricted water flow	Check nozzle for obstruction, proper size.
PUMP NOISY	Air in suction line	Check water supply and connections on suction line.
	Broken or weak inlet or discharge valve springs	Check and replace if necessary.
	Excessive matter in valves
	Worn bearings
PRESENCE OF WATER IN OIL	Oil seal worn
	High humidity in air	Check and change oil twice as often.
WATER DRIPPING FROM UNDER PUMP	Piston packing worn	Check and replace if necessary.
	O-Ring plunger retainer worn
	Cracked piston
	Pump protector	Lower water supply pressure. Do not run with spray gun closed longer than 2 minutes
OIL DRIPPING	Oil seal worn	Check and replace if necessary.
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN DELIVERY LINE	Irregular functioning of the valves	Check and replace if necessary.
DETERGENT NOT DRAWING	Air leak	Tighten all clamps. Check detergent lines for holes.
	Restrictor in float tank is missing	Replace restrictor. Check for proper orifice in restrictor.
	Filter screen on detergent suction hose plugged	Clean or replace.
	Dried up detergent plugging metering valve	Disassemble and clean thoroughly.
	High viscosity of detergent	Dilute detergent to specifications.
	Hole in detergent line(s)	Repair hole.
	Low detergent level	Add detergent, if needed.
PUMP RUNNING NORMALLY BUT PRESSURE LOW ON INSTALLATION	Pump sucking air	Check water supply and possibility of air seepage.
	Valves sticking	Check and clean or replace if necessary.
	Nozzle incorrectly sized	Check and replace if necessary
	Unloader valve seat faulty	Check and replace if necessary.
	Worn piston packing	Check and replace if necessary.
BURNER MOTOR WILL NOT RUN	Fuel pump seized	Replace fuel pump.
	Burner fan loose or misaligned	Position correctly, tighten set screw.
	Defective control switch	Replace switch.
	Loose wire	Check and replace or tighten wiring.
	Defective burner motor	Replace motor.
RELIEF VALVE LEAKS WATER	Relief valve defective	Replace or repair

Shark 808 pressure washer troubleshooting

PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSE	SOLUTION
BURNER WILL NOT LIGHT	Disconnected or short in electrical wiring	All wire contacts should be clean and tight. No breaks in wire.
	Burner motor thermal protector tripped	If tripped, check voltage, connections and extensions for cause. Check fuel pump shaft rotation for binding, causing motor to overheat.
	Flex-coupling slipping on fuel pump shaft or burner motor shaft	Replace if needed.
	On-off switch defective	Check continuity through burner switch.
	Heavy sooting on coil and burner, can cause interruption of air flow and shorting of electrodes	Clean as required.
	Improper electrode setting	Clean and test according to diagram in operator’s manual.
	Fuel not reaching combustion chamber	Check fuel pump for proper flow. Check solenoid flow switch on machines with spray gun control for proper on-off flow switch.
	Fuel solenoid malfunction	Check by placing screwdriver inside coil then turn machine on, open spray gun and check for magnetic pull.
	Clogged burner nozzle	Replace.
	Water not turned on	Turn on water to activate burner flow switch.
	Flow switch malfunction	Remove, test for continuity and replace as needed.
MACHINE SMOKES	Improper fuel or water in fuel	Drain tank and replace contaminated fuel.
	Improper air adjustment	Readjust air bands on burner assembly.
	Low fuel pressure	Adjust fuel pump pressure to specifications.
	Air leaks in fuel lines	Check fuel lines for leaks or air bubbles. Tighten or replace as needed.
	Plugged or dirty burner nozzle	Replace.
	Faulty burner nozzle spray pattern	Replace nozzle.
	Heavy accumulation of soot on coils and burner assembly	Remove coils and burner assembly. Clean thoroughly.
	Misaligned electrode	Realign electrodes to specifications.
	Fuel filter partially clogged	Replace as needed.
	Obstruction in smoke stack	Check for insulation blockage or other foreign objects.
	Soot build up on coils	Clean coils with soot remover.
	Lime build up in coils	Clean inside of coils using Landa’s coil cleaner.
LOW WATER TEMPERATURE	Improper fuel or water in fuel	Drain fuel tank and replace with proper fuel.
	Low fuel pressure	Increase fuel pressure.
	Weak fuel pump	Check fuel pump temperature. Replace pump if needed.
	Fuel filter partially clogged	Replace as needed.
	Soot build up on coils	Clean coils with soot remover.
	Lime build up on coils	Clean inside of coils using Landa’s coil cleaner.
WATER TEMPERATURE TOO HOT	Incoming water to machine warm or hot	Lower incoming water temperature.
	Fuel pump pressure too high	Lower fuel pressure.
	Fuel pump defective	Replace fuel pump.
	Detergent line sucking air	Tighten all clamps. Check detergent line for holes.
	Defective high limit switch	Replace.
	Insufficient water supplied	Check GPM to machine.
	Restricted water flow	Check nozzle for obstruction, proper size.

Shark 925A pressure washer troubleshooting

SYMPTOM	POSSIBLE CAUSES	CORRECTIVE ACTION
Gas engine will not run.	Out of gas.	Replenish supply. Use only recommended fuels. Refer to Before Starting under Operation.
	Fuel valve closed (if so equipped).	Open valve.
	Loose spark plug wire.	Reconnect.
	Choke or throttle set incorrectly.	Refer to Start under Operation.
	Engine ON/OFF switch in OFF position.	Place engine ON/OFF switch in ON position.
	Low engine oil level.	Replenish supply. Engine will not start or run if oil is low (on engines equip- ped with low oil protection).
Pressure washer runs but won’t spray.	Trigger of trigger gun released. Water supply not turned on.	Squeeze trigger.
		Open water supply valve.
	Clogged pressure nozzle.	Clean pressure nozzle opening.
Low spray pressure at nozzle.	Inadequate water supply.	Fully open faucet. Check for kinked or damaged hose. Use 5/8 inch mini- mum hose. Check for debris clogging inlet screen.
	Partially clogged or damaged pressure nozzle.	Clean or replace.
	Air being drawn through detergent inlet line.	Refill detergent container. Ensure that pick-up screen is fully immersed.
	Dual lance wand set for detergent application.	Set dual lance wand for rinse. Refer to Step 7 under To Clean. Washer will not create high pressure when set for detergent application.
Uneven spray pattern.	Partially clogged or damaged pressure nozzle.	Clean or replace.
Pressure washer will not produce hot water.	Burner switch in OFF position. Inadequate fuel supply.	Place switch in ON position.
		Refill fuel tank. Use only recommended fuels. Refer to Before Starting under Operation.
	Engine not running.	Engine must be running before burner will light.
	Inadequate water supply.	Fully open faucet. Check for kinked or damaged hose. Use 5/8 inch mini- mum hose. Check for debris clogging inlet screen.
Poor or no detergent flow.	Inadequate detergent supply.	Refill detergent container. Ensure that pick-up screen is fully immersed.
	Detergent screen or hose clogged.	Clean. Always start with a clean detergent container.
	Dual lance wand set for high pressure.	Set dual lance wand for detergent application. Refer to Step 1 under To Clean.
	Clogged detergent injector check valve.	Clean check valve at detergent injector inlet.
Poor cleaning.	Improper detergent concentration or mixing.	Mix detergent per manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that powdered detergents are fully dissolved.
	Wrong detergent for the application.	Select appropriate detergent.
	Rinsing with hot water.	A final rinse with cold water will reduce water spotting.