gregative 18 Report post Posted August 24, 2008 Have an unloader problem. With the trigger open the machine is working good. When you let off and it goes to bypass it seems the machine is bogging down/having a hard time pushing the water. There is still some water flowing through the bypass but maybe not as much as it should. Casually observing I cannot see the hood on the unloader kicking up/down. Does this sound like an unloader problem? I'm thinking it is able to get enough through the bypass to keep the hose or something from busting yet not quite working. Do you think it's time to replace or can debris keep the unloader from opening/bypassing all the way? The unit is practically brand new. Suggestions please! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hummerbk 16 Report post Posted August 24, 2008 That sounds like an unloader problem. Do you keep a spare around you can switch it out with? Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Kassander 26 Report post Posted August 24, 2008 if you have a leak or weeping gun it may also cause this problem as it is forcing some through the gun and some through bypass. Also if the unloader is adjusted to too high of a pressure this will exaggerate the problem. Make sure it is set to unload no higher than your operating pressure IE. 3000 psi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted August 25, 2008 Have an unloader problem. With the trigger open the machine is working good. When you let off and it goes to bypass it seems the machine is bogging down/having a hard time pushing the water. There is still some water flowing through the bypass but maybe not as much as it should. Casually observing I cannot see the hood on the unloader kicking up/down. Does this sound like an unloader problem? I'm thinking it is able to get enough through the bypass to keep the hose or something from busting yet not quite working. Do you think it's time to replace or can debris keep the unloader from opening/bypassing all the way? The unit is practically brand new. Suggestions please! What kind of unloader? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Johnson 141 Report post Posted August 25, 2008 Take the outlet fitting off and check to see that the piston inside moves freely, and that the o ring is intact. Either will cause your unloader to act as a regulator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gregative 18 Report post Posted August 29, 2008 The outlet piston was stuck. After freeing it the bogging of the engine seemed to be resolved. I also took Paul's advice and fixed a couple leaks down the line. The problem now is that there are no leaks but the unloader is cycling every couple seconds. Any thoughts on this matter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted August 29, 2008 The outlet piston was stuck. After freeing it the bogging of the engine seemed to be resolved. I also took Paul's advice and fixed a couple leaks down the line. The problem now is that there are no leaks but the unloader is cycling every couple seconds. Any thoughts on this matter? Again, what type of unloader? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Johnson 141 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 The outlet piston was stuck. After freeing it the bogging of the engine seemed to be resolved. I also took Paul's advice and fixed a couple leaks down the line. The problem now is that there are no leaks but the unloader is cycling every couple seconds. Any thoughts on this matter? If you've made sure ALL downstream leaks are fixed, then check this... Back the knob off enough to move the spring up a bit. Put a wrench on the flats below the spring and take it out. Ther should be o rings on the piston at the end of the stem. If there aren't or if they're torn, a couple of quick coupler o rings will fit. Can't recall ATM whether the 1/4 or 3/8 fit, but one of them does. Grease it up and put it back in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PWkid 79 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 Mike, I am going to assume its a Flow type unloader, like a K-7. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 Mike, I am going to assume its a Flow type unloader, like a K-7. If that's the case, he may need to replace the orifice inside the bypass outlet, or replace it with one size smaller...I've had that happen twice, where the hole gets worn slightly larger. The first time, I actually fixed it by cutting the end off a nylon hosebarb and sticking that in behind the bypass outlet fitting. Restricted the flow enough to stop the constant cycling. I didn't have a replacement orifice, and I needed to work! Try crimping the bypass hose with a pair of pliars a little, maybe 1/2 way. If the cycling stops, that's your problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Johnson 141 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 No, it's trapped pressure...it's got an outlet piston... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PWkid 79 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 Russ, thats why you make the big bucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 Russ, thats why you make the big bucks. That's right! He already knew without having to ask! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gregative 18 Report post Posted September 9, 2008 Sorry so late responding, computer went down. The unloader is the al-607 that came with a 2600psi/5.6g cold machine from espec. Since I freed the outlet piston, it worked for a week before it stuck again and I replaced it. Everything working good except now I'm about 1000psi short. No debris in the line & everything else seems ok. What do u think? By the way, the construction on this cold water unit beats my local distributors hands down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
