Hello all - First post here and i’ve got two situations on hand.
Situation # 1 - Older Craftsman Power washer with Honda GVC190 engine. It was running great last week and all of a sudden lost pressure. After playing around with it for a while it now starts right up and when I turn the choke off it makes a screeching noise and shuts right down. I removed the pump and it starts right up and sounds great. Runs with the choke off and sounds nice. Pump on and choke off it screeches and stalls. I removed the unloader and thermal valve, cleaned up both and same thing. I also took the carb apart and cleaned it out nicely and same thing. When I removed the pump it seemed to be in good shape. It was turning and the parts were all moving nicely. Any ideas??
Situation # 2 - Newer simpson power washer with same Honda GVC190 engine that I picked up last night to replace this one and/or use for parts. Guy said he couldn’t get it started. I replaced the spark plug and cleaned out the carb and it started right up. It works great except for when I release the trigger it stalls out. I’ve read that it could be the unloader valve. I pulled the pin out and can’t get remove the unloader. Its stuck in there. I don’t want to damage the pump but does anyone know if that could be the cause, and if there are any tricks to getting the unloader valve out.
My last resort is to swap the motor on the older unit with the new power washer. It should fit because they look like the exact same motor.
The unloaders are totally different. The one on the simpson has the pin on the side and you can see the spring, and the craftsman was totally enclosed. I was able to finally remove the unloader from the simpson and ordered a new one. Pretty sure thats the issue. It was real difficult to get out. I’m going to try and sell the craftsman. The unloader for that unit is around $50 and i’m not putting any more money into it.
You can buy the whole 2.7 gpm pressure washer for around $300.
The pumps that come stock on homeowner units are basically throwaways. I’m sure the replacement pump you bought was better quality than what came stock.
I didn’t look hard but here’s a cheap replacement pump you’d find on a GC engine. It’s only 2.4 gpm though.
I had an old pressure washer with a Honda GC that quit working years ago. My sister wanted a pressure washer so I bought a new pump on ebay for like $70 and threw it on there. It works great for what she uses it for.
I’m not saying the $80 pumps are good quality but it’s a cheap replacement for a homeowner who is only going to use the washer a few times a year.
I was about to pull the trigger on a new pump off ebay for $75 but just wasn’t sure it was the pump. After removing the pump everything seemed functional and it looked in good shape. The PW also needed a hose and gun which was around $50. New 3000PSI setups are around $300 on sale so can’t see spending that on a used one. That said, someone picked it up today for $70 as is and I’m happy. Keeping my fingers crossed that the simpson PW i’ve got only needs this unloader which should be getting delivered monday. I have the hose and gun for that so I should be good to go. Appreciate the responses and help from everyone!
And totally agreed that for those of us who use the PW 5 times a year these pumps are good enough.
