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Updated: Feb 09, 2023
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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
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
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
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
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.