Shortly the answer is, yes! Not only the pressure washers, every product that has a power source to run (like a motor, or engine) can overheat suddenly. If you could understand why this overheating happens, certainly you can avoid stop it from happening.
Why does Pressure Washer Overheating Happen?
There are a few conditions, for why the pressure washers may be overheated. If you know the reasons in details-you may avoid struggling with your pressure washer while it is overheated. However, all those reasons are-
Improper Usage:
It is the first reason why your pressure washer overheats. Let me clarify what I am trying to explain by the term improper usage. Running the pressure washer for a long time with a high speed could be an improper use. It is better to take an interval while you are running the pressure washer for a long time. Improper usage also leads to other damage to the whole pressure washer. So before you run the machine, please know how to run it well.
Improper Cleaning Routine:
An improper cleaning routine also could mislead the machine to generate overheating inside. If the machine is not properly cleaned, there is supposed to be dirt and debris accumulation inside the various portion of the machine. Ultimately this could force the machine to get overheated.
To prevent this, clean the pressure washer after every use of it. Also do not forget to store the machine in a dry, well-ventilated, and secured area. Not only the debris, but if the inside item of the pressure washer becomes rusty, it also misleads the whole unit to become overheated.
Surrounding Temperature:
It is not the machine insider problem. Suppose you are working in a desert with a surrounding temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. So in that case-the pressure machine, itself will be hot automatically. Besides the overheating, also there would be surrounding air floating debris, which also clogs the machine filter and makes it overheat.
Type of the pressure washers:
Astonished to see this point? Thinking how the types of the unit could impact its heat generation? Wait let me explain. There are two types of pressure washers recognized for our regulars or industrial pressure washing.
These two are-gas pressure washers and electric pressure washers. Gas pressure washers overheating happens due to the improper opening of the fuel valve. The fuel valve problems could lead the gas not to reach the engine. When the engine will not get proper gas or proper airflow, the engine heat will increase thus the whole unit will overheat.
Again the electric pressure washers overheat may face the cloggy air filter. So, minimization of the airflow in the whole unit occurs for this. This also causes overheating of the pressure washers. Gas-powered pressure washers also may face some other internal issues, engine problems, pressure washer pump rating, etc.
An Electric pressure washer is relatively overheated lower than a gas pressure washer. And using a hot water supply instead of cold water also could increase the chance of overheating the machine.
Improper Maintenance:
If you do not clean or inspect the pressure washer timely, it can overheat. If the pressure washer, (not only the washer, any engine operated machine usually) does not work for long time, it could go with several cloggy, dirty and rusty inside portions. So in that case, if you run the machine-it will not perform well, and will start to overheat.
You have to clean the machine after each use. When you clean the surface, the loosened dirt from the dirt area can return back to your pressure washer to make it dusty. So, if you do not clean the pressure washer after each use-these dirt will stuck in the thermal valve, air filter, fuel valve, and also in other all portions of the machine.
In future, the pressure washer will not get the equal power distribution inside. So, a misdistribution of the power will force the pressure washer to become overheat after some time.
What Can Happen When Pressure Washers Overheat?
So you now know a pressure washer can overheat, Now the second question comes, what can happen when a pressure washer overheats? Does the overheat really a problem? What you could take as necessary action to stop the overheating?
Firstly overheating can damage the machine hugely. All the insider components (even the outsider as well) will need to be replaced if the machine continuously overheated. This replacement process is expensive a bit. And then comes the next point, firing! Yes, a pressure washer overheating also could cause firing in the worst case as well.
When firing happens, it not only damages the machine or the surroundings. Also, it could damage your body part, and can lead to severe injury to your body! From a Pressure washer safety point of view, firing is the most dangerous situation it even might cause your death as well.
How to stop the Pressure washer from overheating?
There are a few things that could come to your help if the pressure washer overheats. Taking some preventive action also could help you to face future problems. If the machine is stopped for a long time, do not directly take this to the working area. Let the machine go with one trial in a shady area for one or two minutes before the final action.
However, check the water supply then. The water supply should not be too high or too low. A too-high water supply also could lead the pressure machine to be overheated. And too low will minimize the cleaning efficiency. The pressure washer speed also should increase according to the high-speed water supply.
Then, check the machine manually. The machine should not contain any dirt components. Clean the machine well and ensure there is no dirt buildup inside it.
Finally check the oil level. If the pressure washer has a too low an oil level, it will lead the pressure washer to overheat. Use the specific oil type for your pressure washer model. It will also make the machine cool for a long time.
Pro tips to make your pressure washer cold always:
Certain things you could do as a preventive action for your pressure washer. These are-
- Try to change the oil every 2 days.
- Do not use an air filter after 35 hours. After this time, either replace the air filter or clean it properly.
- Spark Arrestor and Muffler should mandatorily clean after 75 hours of each usage.
- O-rings lubrication is a must!
- If there are any degraded-rings, just replace those!
- Inspect all repair components (for example, the screen filter, nozzle, air gun, and so on)
- Try to change the oil of both the water pump and the pressure washer’s engine so that the whole process becomes efficient.
Finally,
Let me tell you one preventive action. Follow the user manual to operate, clean, and store the pressure washers.
If you follow the Manufacturer’s fuel pressure recommendations correctly, overheating will rarely happen. Secondly, do the maintenance of the pressure washer on time. Finally do not overload the machine by crossing the limit it is intended to use.
Oh, one more thing, if it is possible, take your pressure washer to a technician once every 6 months.
So that’s all on whether can pressure washer overheating or not. So follow all the tips and preventive actions aforementioned here to take care of it for a healthy service life. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
