How to Troubleshoot Honda GCV190 Pressure Washer?
Among the pressure washers, Honda is quite familiar with their product and their engine. Oftentimes, other company uses Honda’s engine inside their product. But no matter how reliable a machine is, there will always be a time it needs troubleshooting after extensive use or not using it for some time.
Here we will go over some of the common problems you may face and how to solve them. So that next time you face any problem you can troubleshoot it by yourself. We are focusing on the GCV190 but the processes are similar all across the other machines. Thus even if you don’t own a GCV190 it may be helpful to you.
Engine Related Problems | How to Troubleshoot Honda GCV190 Pressure Washer
Several things need to be checked if your machine has a problem with its engine. Before doing anything make sure you are trying to start the engine with the correct procedure. This actually varies a lot from machine to machine when they are of a different model.
Stalled Engine of Honda GCV190 Pressure Washer
If the engine starts but it doesn’t run to its top speed or just stalls when you try to spray the water, it is known as a stalled engine. It can happen mainly because of a blocked air passage. Cleaning or in the worst case, replacing the air filter will solve the problem.
If that doesn’t solve the problem then the carburetor may need some adjustment. This is a delicate area of the machine. So if you don’t have any experience it is better to take it to a service center and get it fixed.
Honda GCV190 Pressure Washer Engine Doesn’t Start
Unlike the stalled engine, if an engine doesn’t start there can be many reasons behind it. Some of the reasons and how to solve them are listed below.
Flooded Engine
If you have a flooded engine it will not start. To check it, try cracking the engine with the choke in. If you can smell the gas then it is flooded. To solve that, simply wait 10 min and let it drain out. Try to start the engine after 10 min and it should work just fine.
Dirty Air Filter
The dirty air filter can cause the engine to not start too. So open the air filter compartment and check if it is dirty. If the filter is dirty then clean it with compressed air, water, or soap depending on the manual of your machine.
Spark Plug Malfunction
If you are using the machine for a while there is a chance the spark plug is corroded or needs cleaning. Remove the spark plug and check it along with the terminal that it is attached to.
If there is any clogging clean them out, also check if you need to replace the spark plug or not. If the plug is corroded then replace the plug with a newer one.
Carburetor & Old Fuel Needs Cleaning
If you are trying to use your machine after some time and you forgot to drain the fuel then you need a thorough cleaning of the fuel tank, fuel line, and carburetor. That is because, over time, the fuel collects moister if no stabilizer is added.
It can also create unnecessary particles inside the fuel which makes the engine not run. So if you want you can try to clean it but it is better to take it to a service center for this. Since there are a lot of moving parts to clean the fuel line and carburetor an expert is recommended for the job.
Sprayer & Nozzle Related Problem | How to Troubleshoot Honda GCV190 Pressure Washer
Before starting the engine you should always check if you are getting a steady flow of water through the sprayer or not. If not then check the water source and if the source can provide the necessary amount of water. If that is fine then check the sprayer and nozzle to see if there is any block.
You will still be able to get a steady flow of water even if the nozzle is blocked. But the pressure won’t be as high as you expect. In this case, clean the nozzle with water to get rid of the block.
Soap & Pressure Related Problem | How to Troubleshoot Honda GCV190 Pressure Washer
Low pressure can be an effect of a blocked nozzle as we have discussed in the previous section. Other than that kink in the hose line can also cause the pressure to fall off. So always make sure the hose line doesn’t have any kink.
A leaking hose can also cause the pressure to fall off. So if you have any leaks in the hose then fix them up or change the hose and the pressure would go back to normal.
If you don’t get any soap with the water then check if the nozzle is at the correct settings. Having it on the wrong setting or too much pressure will not take any soap with the water. Also, make sure the soap injector is turned on. If none works then clean the soap injector of any blocks it may have.
How to Troubleshoot Water Leakage of Honda GCV190 Pressure Washer
If the water is leaking from the hose it is pretty easy to spot. You can try fixing it or replacing the hose for better performance. If you see the water is leaking from the inside then some of the internal plastic parts may have been broken. If that’s the case you need to take it to a service center and get the parts replaced.
FAQ
- Why Does My Honda Pressure Washer Keep Shutting Off?
Ans: It can be because of a clogged carburetor. But many other reasons relate the problem to engine and fuel too.
- Is It Ok To Start a Pressure Washer Without Water?
Ans: It can cause the pump to run dry and cause burn out thus damaging it. So you shouldn’t start it without water.
Conclusion
There are many reasons for a machine to need troubleshooting. But with proper maintenance, the frequency of troubleshooting necessary can be deceased. But even if you need to troubleshoot it is fairly easy to do on your own and figure out the problem.
