3 question for the price of 1 ! Envirospec machine

Window Washing PRO

Window Washing PRO

New member
Hi there

Quick questions, too tired to think straight tonight :fie:

1- I was doing a huge driveway today and machine kept shutting itself off, moved a lot of stuff, checked oil and everything was fine ... choke lever (or however the thing you move when start the machine cold is called) was moving due to vibrations and going to the open position causing the shut down. Is there a "proper" way to tight it up or should I wing it like I did today holding it in place with a clamp ? Machine has electric start

2 - 5.5gpm belt drive bought few months ago from Envirospec and with way less than 100hrs of use (most of my biz is window cleaning), and I was looking at the pump today through the glass window and the oil looked a little white-ish and someone told me once (I guess) that might be water in the oil .... how can that happens so fast? need to check/replace seals ?
I've changed the oil a couple of times already and it was stored inside during the winter (Southeast TX is not that cold anyway).

3 - I told you I was tired ... I don't remember the 3rd one right now lol ... will update when I regain mental stability :dance:


Thanks for any suggestions
 
Window Washing PRO said:
Hi there

Quick questions, too tired to think straight tonight :fie:

1- I was doing a huge driveway today and machine kept shutting itself off, moved a lot of stuff, checked oil and everything was fine ... choke lever (or however the thing you move when start the machine cold is called) was moving due to vibrations and going to the open position causing the shut down. Is there a "proper" way to tight it up or should I wing it like I did today holding it in place with a clamp ? Machine has electric start

Briggs Vanguard? Probably needs a new clip on the choke rod.

2 - 5.5gpm belt drive bought few months ago from Envirospec and with way less than 100hrs of use (most of my biz is window cleaning), and I was looking at the pump today through the glass window and the oil looked a little white-ish and someone told me once (I guess) that might be water in the oil .... how can that happens so fast? need to check/replace seals ?
I've changed the oil a couple of times already and it was stored inside during the winter (Southeast TX is not that cold anyway).

Sounds like someone left the gun shut off too long and messed up the pump. Do you bypass to your tank, or is it a closed loop return?

3 - I told you I was tired ... I don't remember the 3rd one right now lol ... will update when I regain mental stability :dance:


Thanks for any suggestions
Click to expand...

Get back to me, and we'll get it figured out.
 
Hey Russ, thanks for the quick answer.

Yes, it's a Vanguard. Is that clip replaceable without having to tear down the machine ?

About the pump, is a system is not bypassed, but the fact you mentioned about the trigger left unpressed for too long is not likely in this case. I work alone and that and oil changes is the only things I'm always on top. I turn off the machine several times, when I need to move patio furniture, plants and stuff like that. I'm really aware of the problems it can cause when you left the gun closed even for short periods of time and i try to avoid that even when it slows me down for avoiding it. When I bought it, one thing it caught my attention was that I left the gun close for 15-20 seconds and when I pressed again the water was kinda hot. I asked around here for that and I was told it shouldn't get how in such a short period. Maybe it was a sign something wasn't right to start with.

I don't PW everyday since we mostly do window cleaning, but I decided to invest on a better piece of equipment to look better and be more efficient, but seems like it didn't happen. I'm gonna try to get in touch with Paul at Envirospec to see what we can do, because I think everything should be covered by warranty being just a few months old.


Thanks again Russ !

EDIT: 18 BRIGGS WITH RW21 PUMP BELT DRIVE ON CART (details from the invoice) Purchased in march-2010
 
Mine kept shutting off today too. It must have shut off at least 20 times. Arrrg! Been doing it on and off now for about 2 weeks. Oil is fine, choke is fine etc...It runs for hrs and then starts giving me an attitude. Any idea what would cause that Russ? 4gpm 4k electric start.
 
Threadjacking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding, but it's really annoying trying to work and having to go back to check what's wrong.

I remembered another thing (the 3rd question) that happened today and it might be or not related to this whole thing.

My machine always makes an explosion when you shut it off, sometimes louder than others but always does it. It was discussed here and the verdict was to just leave it alone, but my muffler was spitting flames today too, medium-sized ones, and it's the first time this happens. Maybe carbon deposits inside the muffler? I think it's too new to have that but how knows .... let see what Russ has to say.
 
Window Washing PRO said:
Threadjacking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding, but it's really annoying trying to work and having to go back to check what's wrong.

I remembered another thing (the 3rd question) that happened today and it might be or not related to this whole thing.

My machine always makes an explosion when you shut it off, sometimes louder than others but always does it. It was discussed here and the verdict was to just leave it alone, but my muffler was spitting flames today too, medium-sized ones, and it's the first time this happens. Maybe carbon deposits inside the muffler? I think it's too new to have that but how knows .... let see what Russ has to say.
Click to expand...

I was just waiting for someone to say that. I realized it after I posted. LOL...
 
Larry, unplug the yellow wire thats connected to the low oil indicator and see if the problem persists.

Window Guy, get a new unloader from Russ or change your current configuration to a bypass back to tank or bypass to the ground setup on your unloader
 
Chris Tharpe said:
Larry, unplug the yellow wire thats connected to the low oil indicator and see if the problem persists.

Window Guy, get a new unloader from Russ or change your current configuration to a bypass back to tank or bypass to the ground setup on your unloader
Click to expand...

I was thinking of doing that. Had the same problem on one of my older machines and it fixed the problem.
 
I don't have the room to setup a tank and I could not justify getting a trailer for the amount of PW we do. If you mean bypass to the ground is to leave a whip hose to discharge from the pump when the gun is closed, I'd look into that, but seems like a lot of wasted water and kinda messy depending where your machine is setup on the house.

If you can explain a little more what you mean I'd appreciate it.
 
Larry Millette said:
Mine kept shutting off today too. It must have shut off at least 20 times. Arrrg! Been doing it on and off now for about 2 weeks. Oil is fine, choke is fine etc...It runs for hrs and then starts giving me an attitude. Any idea what would cause that Russ? 4gpm 4k electric start.
Click to expand...

Change the Gas Cap
 
Window Washing PRO said:
Hey Russ, thanks for the quick answer.

Yes, it's a Vanguard. Is that clip replaceable without having to tear down the machine ?

Does yours have the ring to pull out or the black lever that pushes toward the back? Yes, it's easily fixable

About the pump, is a system is not bypassed, but the fact you mentioned about the trigger left unpressed for too long is not likely in this case. I work alone and that and oil changes is the only things I'm always on top. I turn off the machine several times, when I need to move patio furniture, plants and stuff like that. I'm really aware of the problems it can cause when you left the gun closed even for short periods of time and i try to avoid that even when it slows me down for avoiding it. When I bought it, one thing it caught my attention was that I left the gun close for 15-20 seconds and when I pressed again the water was kinda hot. I asked around here for that and I was told it shouldn't get how in such a short period. Maybe it was a sign something wasn't right to start with.

Symptom of a bad unloader. That will burn a pump up QUICK. You're going to need to rebuild the pump and replace the unloader..

I don't PW everyday since we mostly do window cleaning, but I decided to invest on a better piece of equipment to look better and be more efficient, but seems like it didn't happen. I'm gonna try to get in touch with Paul at Envirospec to see what we can do,

Paul doesn't work with Espec any more.

because I think everything should be covered by warranty being just a few months old.

If you can't get any satisfaction, I can get you the parts and talk you through the repairs.

Thanks again Russ !

EDIT: 18 BRIGGS WITH RW21 PUMP BELT DRIVE ON CART (details from the invoice) Purchased in march-2010
Click to expand...
..........................
 
offdutyfireman said:
Bingo, the new honda caps have a carbon filter in them. If they get fuel splashed up in them they will not allow the cap to breathe. Either gut the cap or find an old one.
Click to expand...

I've got a couple of the older caps on other machines that are not currently in use. I'll switch the caps out and see if that helps. If that doesnt work I'll try the oils sensor wire/plug. If that doesnt work I'm driving it over to the sunshine Skyway bridge and throwing it off the bridge. I'm SURE that will solve the problem. Hahaha!
 
Like Russ said about the unloader. If it was adjusted by someone it may be set too high and spiking over the max pressure rating of the pump. If this happens it will force the water past the seals and may cause it to get in the oil.

Solution: repack the pump and re-adjust or change the unloader to prevent it from happening again. Another thing to remember if you are storing your machine for extended periods of time it is a good idea to run antifreeze through he pump and unloader. It helps to lubricate the seals and prevents damage from the corrosive effects of water (even if it doesn't freeze in your area)
 
offdutyfireman said:
Bingo, the new honda caps have a carbon filter in them. If they get fuel splashed up in them they will not allow the cap to breathe. Either gut the cap or find an old one.
Click to expand...

Not to hijack the thread anymore than what I already have but,,,I just wanted to mention that I put and older cap on the new machine today and she ran like a charm. Didn't shut down once. Thanks for the suggestion on the cap Ron. You Da Man!!!
 
Packings are typically considered a 'wearable' item. I would put a gauge on the unit and see what the pressure is spiking at when it unloads. Several things are possible but my first thought would be to check the unloader. Perhaps an internal seal in the unloader wore out or became dislodged from its position and it is not going into bypass properly. It could be a bad piston or pinched seal in the pump as well.
 
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