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

PROBLEMPOSSIBLE CAUSESSOLUTION
NO SAND BEING DRAWN INTO SYSTEMRugged sand pot, probe or hoseRemove obstruction.
Wet sandUse only dry sand.
Rugged spray nozzleRemove nozzle with 9/16″ socket and clean.
Air leaks at hose connectionKeep connections tight and in good repair.
Valve on wand openClose valve.
Cone or probe closedTurn cone to open position.
Sand probe not imbedded in sandKeep probe in sand.
LOW SAND FLOWLow water pressureCheck pump and nozzle for improper operation.
Collapsed hoseReplace hose or remove obstruction.
Clogged hose or probeClear obstruction.
Air leaks at hose connectionsKeep connection tight.

 

Shark SMT-354037E pressure washer troubleshooting

PROBLEMPOSSIBLE CAUSESOLUTION
LOW OPERATING PRESSUREFaulty pressure gaugeInstall new gauge.
Insufficient water supplyUse larger supply hose; clean filter at water inlet.
Old, worn or incorrect spray nozzleMatch nozzle number to machine and/or replace with new nozzle.
Belt slippageTighten or replace; use correct belt.
Plumbing or hose leakCheck plumbing system for leaks. Retape leaks with teflon tape.
Faulty or mis-adjusted unloader valveAdjust unloader for proper pressure. Install repair kit when needed.
Worn packing in pumpInstall new packing kit.
Fouled or dirty inlet or discharge valves in pumpClean inlet and discharge valves.
Worn inlet or discharge valvesReplace with valve kit.
Obstruction in spray nozzleRemove obstruction.
Leaking pressure control valveRebuild or replace as needed.
Slow engine RPMSet engine speed at proper specifications.
Pump sucking airCheck water supply and possibility of air seepage.
Valves sticking
Unloader valve seat faulty
BURNER WILL NOT LIGHTLittle or no fuelFill tank with fuel.
Improper fuel or water in fuelDrain fuel tank and fill with proper fuel.
Clogged fuel lineClean or replace.
Plugged fuel filterReplace as needed.
Mis-adjusted burner air bandsReadjust air bands for clean burn.
Little or no fuel pressure from fuel pumpIncrease fuel pressure to specification and/ or replace fuel pump. Test with pressure gauge.
Faulty burner transformerTest transformer for proper arc between contacts. Replace as needed.
Disconnected or short in electrical wiringAll wire contacts should be clean and tight. No breaks in wire
BURNER WILL NOT LIGHTFlex coupling slipping on fuel pump shaft or burner motor shaftReplace if needed.
On-Off switch defectiveCheck 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 electrodesClean as required.
Improper electrode settingCheck and reset according to diagram in Operator’s Manual.
Fuel not reaching combustion chamberCheck fuel pump for proper flow. Check solenoid flow switch on machines with spray gun control, for proper on-off fuel flow control.
Clogged burner nozzleClean as required.
Thermostat faulty or slow engine speedIncrease engine RPM to increase voltage.
Flow switch malfunctionRemove, test for continuity and replace as needed.
Flow solenoid malfunctionReplace if needed.
FLUCTUATING PRESSUREValves wornCheck and replace if necessary.
Blockage in valve
Pump sucking airCheck water supply and air seepage at joints in suction line.
Worn piston packingCheck and replace if necessary.
MACHINE SMOKESImproper fuel or water in fuelDrain tank and replace contaminated fuel.
Improper air adjustmentReadjust air bands on burner assembly.
Low fuel pressureAdjust fuel pump pressure to specifications.
Plugged or dirty burner nozzleReplace nozzle.
Faulty burner nozzle spray pattern
Heavy accumulation of soot on coils and burner assemblyRemove coils and burner assembly, clean thoroughly.
Misaligned electrode settingRealign electrodes to specifications.
Obstruction in smoke stackCheck for insulation blockage or other foreign objects.
Low engine RPMIncrease RPM
LOW WATER TEMPERATUREImproper fuel or water in fuelReplace with clean and proper fuel.
Low fuel pressureIncrease fuel pressure.
Weak fuel pumpCheck fuel pump pressure. Replace pump if needed.
Fuel filter partially cloggedReplace as needed.
Soot build-up on coils not allowing heat transferClean coils.
Improper burner nozzleSee nozzle specifications, (page 30)
WATER TEMPERATURE TOO HOTIncoming water to machine warm or hotLower incoming water temperature.
Fuel pump pressure too highSee specifications for proper fuel pressure.
Fuel pump defectiveReplace fuel pump.
Detergent line sucking airTighten all clamps. Check detergent lines for holes.
Defective temperature switchReplace.
Incorrect fuel nozzle sizeSee specifications for proper fuel nozzle
Insufficient water suppliedCheck water G.P.M. to machine.
Restricted water flowCheck nozzle for obstruction, proper size.
PUMP NOISYAir in suction lineCheck water supply and connections on suction line.
Broken or weak inlet or discharge valve springsCheck and replace if necessary.
Excessive matter in valves
Worn bearings
PRESENCE OF WATER IN OILOil seal worn
High humidity in airCheck and change oil twice as often.
WATER DRIPPING FROM UNDER PUMPPiston packing wornCheck and replace if necessary.
O-Ring plunger retainer worn
Cracked piston
Pump protectorLower water supply pressure. Do not run with spray gun closed longer than 2 minutes
OIL DRIPPINGOil seal wornCheck and replace if necessary.
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN DELIVERY LINEIrregular functioning of the valves
DETERGENT NOT DRAWINGAir leakTighten all clamps. Check detergent lines for holes.
Restrictor in float tank is missingReplace restrictor. Check for proper orifice in restrictor.
Filter screen on detergent suction hose pluggedClean or replace.
Dried up detergent plugging metering valveDisassemble and clean thoroughly.
High viscosity of detergentDilute detergent to specifications.
Hole in detergent line(s)Repair hole.
Low detergent levelAdd detergent, if needed.
PUMP RUNNING NORMALLY BUT PRESSURE LOW ON INSTALLATIONPump sucking airCheck water supply and possibility of air seepage.
Valves stickingCheck and clean or replace if necessary.
Nozzle incorrectly sizedCheck and replace if necessary
Unloader valve seat faultyCheck and replace if necessary.
Worn piston packing
BURNER MOTOR WILL NOT RUNFuel pump seizedReplace fuel pump.
Burner fan loose or misalignedPosition correctly, tighten set screw.
Defective control switchReplace switch.
Loose wireCheck and replace or tighten wiring.
Defective burner motorReplace motor.
RELIEF VALVE LEAKS WATERRelief valve defectiveReplace or repair

 

Shark 808 pressure washer troubleshooting

PROBLEMPOSSIBLE CAUSESOLUTION
BURNER WILL NOT LIGHTDisconnected or short in electrical wiringAll wire contacts should be clean and tight. No breaks in wire.
Burner motor thermal protector trippedIf 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 shaftReplace if needed.
On-off switch defectiveCheck continuity through burner switch.
Heavy sooting on coil and burner, can cause interruption of air flow and shorting of electrodesClean as required.
Improper electrode settingClean and test according to diagram in operator’s manual.
Fuel not reaching combustion chamberCheck fuel pump for proper flow. Check solenoid flow switch on machines with spray gun control for proper on-off flow switch.
Fuel solenoid malfunctionCheck by placing screwdriver inside coil then turn machine on, open spray gun and check for magnetic pull.
Clogged burner nozzleReplace.
Water not turned onTurn on water to activate burner flow switch.
Flow switch malfunctionRemove, test for continuity and replace as needed.
MACHINE SMOKESImproper fuel or water in fuelDrain tank and replace contaminated fuel.
Improper air adjustmentReadjust air bands on burner assembly.
Low fuel pressureAdjust fuel pump pressure to specifications.
Air leaks in fuel linesCheck fuel lines for leaks or air bubbles. Tighten or replace as needed.
Plugged or dirty burner nozzleReplace.
Faulty burner nozzle spray patternReplace nozzle.
Heavy accumulation of soot on coils and burner assemblyRemove coils and burner assembly. Clean thoroughly.
Misaligned electrodeRealign electrodes to specifications.
Fuel filter partially cloggedReplace as needed.
Obstruction in smoke stackCheck for insulation blockage or other foreign objects.
Soot build up on coilsClean coils with soot remover.
Lime build up in coilsClean inside of coils using Landa’s coil cleaner.
LOW WATER TEMPERATUREImproper fuel or water in fuelDrain fuel tank and replace with proper fuel.
Low fuel pressureIncrease fuel pressure.
Weak fuel pumpCheck fuel pump temperature. Replace pump if needed.
Fuel filter partially cloggedReplace as needed.
Soot build up on coilsClean coils with soot remover.
Lime build up on coilsClean inside of coils using Landa’s coil cleaner.
WATER TEMPERATURE TOO HOTIncoming water to machine warm or hotLower incoming water temperature.
Fuel pump pressure too highLower fuel pressure.
Fuel pump defectiveReplace fuel pump.
Detergent line sucking airTighten all clamps. Check detergent line for holes.
Defective high limit switchReplace.
Insufficient water suppliedCheck GPM to machine.
Restricted water flowCheck nozzle for obstruction, proper size.

 

Shark 925A pressure washer troubleshooting

SYMPTOMPOSSIBLE CAUSESCORRECTIVE 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.