April 19, 2023

Gas Pressure Washer: Why is smoke coming from the pressure washer's exhaust?

Smoke blows from the pressure washer's exhaust if the engine is overfilled with oil. Place the pressure washer on a level surface and check the oil level using the dipstick. If the engine is overfilled with oil, drain oil to within the proper range.

An improper fuel/air mix can also cause the engine to smoke. Check the engine choke for the proper setting. A choke that won't open causes excessive smoke. Check your carburetor system and rebuild or replace the carburetor if necessary.

Tune up the pressure washer engine to help eliminate exhaust smoke. A tune-up includes changing the oil, checking the ignition system and adjusting the throttle and choke controls.

gas pressure washer

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR GAS PRESSURE WASHER PROBLEM

JC-PW-Clean-and-rebuild-the-pressure-washer-carburetor

Clean and rebuild the pressure washer carburetor

Rebuild kits are available for most carburetors. The kit contains essential components such as jets, pins, seals and gaskets for overhauling the carburetor. You can sometimes fix a fuel supply problem by disassembling, cleaning and rebuilding the carburetor.

Clean and rebuild the pressure washer carburetor

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-PW-Replace-the-pressure-washer-carburetor

Replace the pressure washer carburetor

Over time, varnish from stale gasoline builds up in the carburetor, decreasing the amount of air/fuel mixture reaching the engine. Replace the carburetor if it's severely clogged with varnish or if the orifices are clogged with debris and can't be cleared using carburetor cleaner and compressed air.

Pressure washer carburetor

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-PW-Tune-up-the-pressure-washer-engine

Tune up the pressure washer engine

A tune-up restores the pressure washer's engine to its peak operating condition. A tune-up includes changing the oil, cleaning the engine, replacing the air filter, checking the ignition system, inspecting the carburetor, adjusting the throttle and choke controls, and adjusting and lubricating all moving parts.

Tune up the pressure washer engine

Find the required part specific to your product.

Symptoms for gas pressure washers

Choose a symptom to see related pressure washer repairs.

Main causes: using a high-pressure spray tip when applying detergent, clogged siphon tube, chemical injection system fai…

Main causes: overfilling engine with oil, improper fuel/air mixture, choke system problems, dirty carburetor, engine nee…

Main causes: broken recoil spring, damaged recoil starter…

Main causes: dirty air filter, stale fuel, clogged or dirty carburetor, bad unloader valve…

Main causes: insufficient water supply, clogged water inlet screen, clogged pressure hose, faulty pump check valves, stu…

Main causes: damaged recoil starter, oil inside cylinder, locked up engine piston…

Main causes: faulty unloader valve, bad pressure regulator…

Main causes: stale fuel, gummed up carburetor, engine needs tune up, throttle and choke controls need adjustment, bad re…

Main causes: pump running for more than 5 minutes when the spray wand isn't being used, faulty pressure relief valve, ba…

Repair guides for gas pressure washers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your pressure washer.

How to install a pressure washer check valve kit

How to install a pressure washer check valve kit

Air in the inlet water supply can damage the check valves. If the pump won’t build up pressure due to damaged check valv…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 120 minutes or less
How to install a pressure washer O-ring kit

How to install a pressure washer O-ring kit

O-rings seal fittings on the pressure washer pump. Damaged seals allow water to leak from the pump. Follow these steps t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to install a pressure washer chemical injection kit

How to install a pressure washer chemical injection kit

The chemical injection valve draws detergent into the pump. If it’s not drawing detergent, use a repair kit to replace t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your pressure washers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your pressure washer.

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