the pressure washer turns on and water comes out, but it won't build any pressure, just dribbles out like a garden hose

— asked by Casey

Quick answer: Yeah, this one's common. It's almost always because the high-pressure hose or spray gun isn't connected completely tight, letting pressure escape before it can build.

Diagnosis

Yeah, this one's common. It's almost always because the high-pressure hose or spray gun isn't connected completely tight, letting pressure escape before it can build.

How to Fix It

Turn the machine off. Check both ends of the high-pressure hose. Where it connects to the pump and where it connects to the spray gun, make sure it's pushed in all the way and the collar is fully twisted clockwise until it's hand-tight. You should feel it click or seat firmly. A half-turn loose is enough to kill all pressure.

If That Didn't Work

The next culprit is usually the spray tip itself. Make sure you've clicked one of the five nozzle tips (0°, 15°, 25°, 40°, soap) firmly into the end of the spray wand. If no tip is attached, or it's not clicked in fully, you get zero pressure.

Heads Up

Never run the pump for more than a few seconds without a spray tip attached or with the trigger pulled. It's called 'deadheading' and can overheat the pump.

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