Pressure Washer won't start

[Country Lady]

We have a gasoline powered pressure washer that's 2 months out of warranty. With the weather cooling off a bit, we have lots of pressure washing to do. DH got it out and can't get it to start. He replaced the spark plug, removed the air filter and sprayed carburator cleaner in the carburator. It will fire for about 2 seconds and die. To leave it at a local small engine repair shop will take about 3 to 4 months for them to get to it. Does anyone have a suggestion what DH can do to get this thing started???

[arabian knight]

Have you looked to see it there is a shut off valve on the gas line? Sounds like it is not getting gas, could also be a air leak in the gas line, or the hole plugged at the gas cap.
Or also by squirting in carburetor cleaner in you may have "washed" the oil from the sides of the cylinders so no compression to fire the plug.

[EDDIE BUCK]

What brand engine does it have? Does it have a finger rubber pump bulb to pump fuel to the carb to start it? Also was gas left in it from last year? Also check muffler for mud wasps nest.

[golden]

Has it been sitting? Have you drained/replaced the gas in it?

Is the choke stuck? Has he checked the throttle? DH says that's sometimes the throttle gets stuck in a low throttle position and the engine will die.

If all that's good, try checking the pump (water) for calcium build-up.

Finally, you could try turning on the water fully and holding the handle (trigger) and cranking it at the same time.

If none of these suggestions works, it could be a timing issue.

[TnAndy]

Briggs/Stratton engine on it ?

Depends on model but they often use a rubber diaphram deal for a fuel pump ( driven by engine vacuum ), and they fail pretty regularly with age. Look for a small hose running from the engine manifold ( some models, no vacuum hose....vacuum pulled directly on the inside of the cover the way it's mounted..) along with a fuel hose running to the same "cover" looking plate.

Remove cover, rubber diaphram is under it, with small spring. Get a replacement kit from a small engine place.

Other engine makers often use the same kind of thing...small, vacuum driven fuel pump. If the engine on you washer has the fuel tank BELOW the carb level, it most likely has some kind of "pump".

[MississippiSlim]

If it has set up with gas in it likely it has some polymer/varnish in the carb. Try taking the carb off and cleaning the bowl/ float assembly and making sure fuel is getting where it needs to be. I have too do this to my equipment everytime I foget to burn all the gas up before storing for any period of time.

[Country Lady]

Thanks for your replies. DH has read all them. I'll let you know when (and if) he gets it started and what worked.

[agmantoo]

If gas was left in the machine and since it runs only for a brief time my guess is that the float and the needle/seat valve are gummed up with residue. For those that do not feel comfortable dismantling a carburetor I suggest dousing the inside of the carb heavily with carb cleaner and then let the machine set for a day or so then try to start it. I repair items for my friend that owns a pawnshop. These items sit in pawn for months and have a problem common to what you are experiencing. I got tired of tearing carbs down and I have have good luck using what I suggested above. I also put a little gas in a spritzer bottle and once the engine hits I spray a little gas into the intake and keep it running for a few minutes. Most of the time this is enough to get the engine going. In the future do not leave any gas in the machine and let the engine run until the gas is used that was in the carb.