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Can a Pressure Washer Overheat? (All You Need to Know)

Pressure washer is famous for its usability and magnificent cleaning ability. It is considered as one of the easiest methods of cleaning many things and surfaces. However, one will have to be cautious when it comes to cleaning a pressure washer. 

Today, we are going to discuss and find out whether a pressure washer can overheat or not. 

Pressure washer overheating:

According to appliance experts, it is possible for a pressure washer to overheat due to a number of reasons. Faulty carburetor, faulty air filter, presence of dirt and debris, lack of rest and insufficient water supply – all of these can make the pressure washer overheated.

Let’s look at different types of pressure washer and see if they tend to overheat. 

Gas pressure washer:

The main feature of a gas pressure washer is that its functions happen with the help of a gas engine. That is why most people prefer using gas engine powered pressure washers for big scale duty. 

A gas pressure washer is capable of producing a lot of water pressure during the cleaning procedure. 

It is believed by experts that it is hard to beat the capabilities of a gas pressure washer for other kinds of pressure washers. But the important thing to remember here is that a gas pressure washer needs a lot of water.

It has been noticed that gas pressure can overheat due to a number of reasons. First of all, if you fail to maintain your gas pressure washer, then it will start overheating after using it for a short time. 

There are also other things responsible for the overheating of gas pressure washers. The list of reasons include excessive dirt and debris, careless use of the gas pressure washer, and excessive workload on the gas pressure washer. 

Electric pressure washer:

The key difference between a gas pressure washer and an electric pressure washer is that the electric pressure washer does its job with the help of an electric motor. The main power source of an electric pressure washer is its electric motor. 

But despite the structural difference, an electric pressure washer is no different from a gas one in terms of functional activities. An electric pressure washer is also good at washing many different surfaces and objects. 

The important thing to remember here is that electric pressure washers also get overheated when they are not taken care of. You will need to be very careful about how you use your electric pressure washer if you are worried about its durability. 

Additionally, if you do not clean your electric pressure washer regularly, its durability will come under scrutiny due to dirt and debris. Overheating can cause damage to the lifespan of an electric pressure washer. 

6 reasons that cause pressure washer overheating:

There are a lot of reasons why a pressure washer starts to overheat. Let’s discuss in detail about some of those reasons. 

Problem with maintenance:

At the end of the day, a pressure washer is just a machine that needs to be taken care of. Only then a pressure washer will be able to give its best by providing excellent performance. 

But if you do not manage to take care of your pressure washer in the best possible way, then it will start to overheat. 

Problem with gas cap:

One of the major reasons why your pressure washer might be overheating can be due to a faulty gas cap. For example, a pressure washer whose gas cap is not loose enough will cause trouble in terms of gas supply into the engine. 

This will eventually result in the overheating of the pressure washer. It is not wise to tighten the gas cap too much and let it breathe a little. 

Excessive dirt and debris:

Failing to clean the pressure washer on a regular basis can result in excessive dirt and debris. Dirt and debris can be responsible for the poor performance of your pressure washer by overheating it. 

The several parts of the pressure washer responsible for the functions are affected by the presence of dirt and debris. The excessive dirt and debris can make those parts overheat in a matter of seconds. 

Due to overuse:

It is important to know when to stop using the pressure washer. If you keep using the pressure washer without giving it a rest, then it will start overheating naturally. 

Experts have suggested sticking to the user manual when it comes to the working duration of a pressure washer. The pressure washer should be given enough time to recover its lost energy. 

Unfavorable conditions:

The pressure washer should not be used in all conditions. You will need to know about which surfaces and what conditions you can use the pressure washer. 

If you use the pressure washer on surfaces and conditions that do not support it, then it will begin overheating very quickly. You will have to make sure that the conditions and surfaces are not too rough and hot for the pressure washer. 

Problem with carburetor:

A faulty carburetor can sometimes cause a pressure washer to overheat. That is why experts have emphasized on the importance of regular inspection done on the pressure washer. You will have to replace the carburetor if it is the reason behind the overheating. 

How to keep pressure washer from overheating?

Keeping a pressure washer from overheating might seem like a difficult task if you have no prior experience regarding the matter. However, there are some steps and methods you can follow to accomplish the task. Let’s discuss in detail about some of them. 

Store it properly:

The place you store a pressure washer can often dictate its condition. If you continuously keep storing your pressure washer in a hot place, then it will overheat quickly upon starting. So you will have to provide a cool and safe environment for your pressure washer. 

You can even try to place your pressure washer in a shady  place if the pressure washer starts overheating in the middle of a cleaning process. 

Clean it regularly:

You will be required to regularly clean your pressure washer. Because a pressure washer can be the perfect place for dirt and debris to cling onto. That is why experts suggest cleaning your pressure washer on a daily basis. 

Moreover, dirt and debris can hamper the functional capabilities of a pressure washer and contribute to its overheating. 

Give it a rest:

It is necessary to give your pressure washer a rest after a certain amount of time. For example, you can use a gas pressure washer for half an hour without giving it a break. On the other hand, an electric pressure washer will require a break after every one hour. 

Without an adequate amount of break, the pressure washer will start to overheat due to incredible loss of energy. 

Optimum water pressure:

You will need to make sure that your pressure washer is receiving enough water for its functions. Without an optimum level of water pressure, your pressure washer will begin to malfunction. This will cause the pressure washer to overheat in a jiffy. 

Excessive amount of water pressure can also make the pressure washer overheat just like lack of water supply. 

Replace the carburetor:

Sometimes the carburetor of a pressure washer can be the cause behind the overheating. In that case, the carburetor will have to be replaced by a new one for the overheating issue to be solved. 

Replace the air filter:

A faulty air filter can be responsible for the overheating of a pressure washer. You will need to check the air filter and replace it with a new one if there is something wrong.

How long can you continuously run a pressure washer?

How long you can continuously run a pressure washer often depends on the type of pressure washer. It is believed by experts that it is possible to run a gas pressure washer continuously for at least half an hour

When it comes to electric pressure washers, the maximum amount of time you can run it continuously is considered to be exactly one hour. On the other hand, the hot pressure washer can be used continuously for fifteen minutes at best.

How long does it take for a pressure washer to cool down?

A pressure washer needs to rest for a bit if it starts to overheat. The resting period can last up to five minutes depending on the nature of the overheating. Five minutes break will be sufficient for the pressure washer to cool down if it is overused. 

On the other hand, if the overheating is happening due to faulty parts, then the 5 minute rest will not do any good.  

Final Thoughts

A pressure washer can start overheating because of technical reasons. So a gas pressure washer needs a break after half an hour and an electric pressure washer needs a break after every one hour as a prevention against overheating. Five minutes is enough for the pressure washer to cool down.