Cat pump losseing pressue at startup.

[Smith & Sons]

Got a 4000 PSI 3.5 GPM Cat Pump that when I fire up after refueling you can feel the pressure is low. I can shut down then restart and have all of my pressure back. This has happened more then once. I have left the machine running for a time with lower pressure but it never come back until I shut down and restarted What can be causing this? Is my unloader going bad?

 

[Dirt Fighter]

It looks like you have a clog somewhere. Check your filter/inlet...Try to flush everything and don't use any tips...I hope it's simple as that.

 

[Clean County PW]

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It could be your unloader. Check like Igor says above first. That's the first place to check. After that if it's still not working right check to see if there is air getting into your water feed line to the pump. If air gets in there your pump will lose power..

Let us know what happened after you tried these first couple of easy ideas.. Russ Johnson, Jerry McMillen and Paul K. are just a few in here who can give you the whole breakdown as to what other things could be causing this problem for you.
Good luck.

 

[Smith & Sons]

I have checked my filters and they are clean. It only happens once in a while for no reason at all. I just shut down and restart 2 sec latter and have full pressure.

 

[Christopher]

There are a lot of things it could be like: Belts slipping some, unloader going bad, trash in the check valves, trash in your gun, trash in the spray nozzle, trash in the filter screen, etc.....

Need some more info, are you running from a tank?
If so, was this originally from a garden hose setup or originally setup with the tank?

Are you running from a water hose to the pump?

Is it belt drive, direct drive or gear drive?

 

[Clean County PW]

There are a lot of things it could be like: Belts slipping some, unloader going bad, trash in the check valves, trash in your gun, trash in the spray nozzle, trash in the filter screen, etc.....

Need some more info, are you running from a tank?
If so, was this originally from a garden hose setup or originally setup with the tank?

Are you running from a water hose to the pump?

Is it belt drive, direct drive or gear drive?

Good questions. We need some more info Richard.

It sounds like your unloader is sticking and maybe starting to go bad. But more info is needed.

 

[gear junkie]

Had the exact same problem once and it was because of clogged nozzles. I clean mine with oxyacetlyne tip cleaner from HD.

 

[Paul Kassander]

I was thinking unloader but if you have a chemical injector on the unit try taking that off there may be some debris floating around in it.