Low pressure for 10 minutes and then reaches top pressure

Machine Repairs
1

DeWalt 3800 psi pressure washer. Owned many pw’s. This is one of the best.
Recently when I fire it up I’m getting low pressure for almost 10 minutes. Not enough to wash with. Also water blasting out where the pw hose connects to the machine. Seems like its bleeding out a lot of air through the nozzle.Then, as if on cue, the blasting stops and it suddenly has full pressure and then some. This thing kicks back ! Recently washed straight for 21/2-3 hours with the machine jamming the whole time following this type of start.
Today I started it up and waited and waited and waited and gave up. Never switched to “phase 2” when it kicks ass. Any ideas what the problem might be.
Kaveman

2

Check the o-rings on your connections.

2 Likes
3

Check o rings and put teflon tape and re wrench the suckers.

4

Very odd. I spun off the quick connect on the machine and the o-ring seems fine. It may be the male connector on the hose is worn down . I’m due for a new hose .
Thank You,

5

Put Teflon tape on the male end of the hose connector ?

Thats a good idea. I’ll try that today.

6

Pretty sure he is talking about the threads? You wouldn’t put it on QC ends! :slightly_smiling_face:

2 Likes
7

I definetly would’ve yesterday on the job site ! Anything that gets the job done. In this case there are no male threads on which to apply teflon tape. The spray is coming from the female quick connect on the machine and the male connector on the pw hose.

8
  1. I would probably replace the orings anyway.
  2. Where exactly is the water leaking from?
  3. I’ve never seen a hose that is permanently plumbed to a qc. I suppose it’s possible but would be highly unusual. Can you post a photo of the hose end?
9

I’m going to take it to my local repair shop in a few minutes. I’ll send a photo soon. The strangest thing to me is how it will run for ten minutes, engine strong but weak pressure then for no apparent reason “kick in” and provide “kickback” strength for hours. Will replace o-rings.

10

Might be the pump going? I haven’t run into that.

1 Like
11

Correct lolllll

12

Got the problem fixed and ran like a champ. Just ignorance on my part; though I’ve been using these machines for 25 years, I didn’t know what a damaged O-ring looks like. Also, the male end of my pressure washer hose was way past gone ! When the tech. held the new connector next to mine, it was shocking ! Poor machine would find a way to tighten up the seal during my 10-minute wait period. By the way, The pump on this machine is by AAA. Immediately poo pooed by the tech but, one of the best pumps I’ve used. That includes Ano Rev, Comet, etc.

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