does this sound fishy to you

kmjt1021

kmjt1021

Member
I have a electric 1500 psi hot water hydrotech, cat pump, came with a flow switch that shuts the machine down completely when the water flow stops. It needed a burner tune up about a month ago, so while it was in the shop I told them to go over it to make sure nothing else needed replaced or fixed. The bill was around 200 hundred bucks, no problem burner works better than ever now.
Last week it started to shut down while we were spraying it, seemed like a problem with the flow switch to me. I dropped it off to be looked at, and they call me back the next day and said the seals in the pump were shot, they had to get them from the manufacturer. Estimated cost to repair $450. So now its been a week, I call and they tell me he putting it back together now, call in an hour, if it is working ok I can pick it up. I called back in an hour and they guy tells me that now he is having a problem with the flow switch, he has to leave to go on a service call and it won't be done till tomorrow. Am I getting the shaft here or what?
 
ron p

sounds like you found a parts changer, and not a mechanic, and he changed the wrong part.
On top of that he's not very bright. He could have eaten the cost of the flow switch and told you he broke it while working on the pump and never said a word. 50% your fault for not talking to MARK or the WIZ first. Also $450 to rebuild a CAT pump? Whats the cost of a new pump?
i can buy a ready to bolt on ts2021 with everything plumbed and new unloder, chem injection,guage,quick drains,new hardwear for mounting,saftey valve,easy start valve,chem filter,water filter, and pressure guage all installed for me for $540 plus $15 shipping.
This new not rebuilt.
If the unit shuts off when no water is passing the flo-switch, and the seals were leaking. Would'nt the unit keep running even when the trigger was not pulled? Not shut off when in use. Sounds like it was the flow switch. The passing water did not open the switch so it shut down.
Im no machanic but I sure think you were right in your thinking it was just the flow switch.
 
This is a reputable place, I have been dealing with them for years. They sell and service pressure washers all over the mid atlantic. Yes they are very expensive, but I have never had any problems like this before. I think that maybe they have had a problem getting good help, like everyone else in this area, and maybe the work isn't at the same level it used to be. I am going to say something to the owner, and see where it goes.
 
Sometimes bad things happen to good mechanics. Sometimes bad mechanics happen to good people.

It is possible there was a cascade effect that when one problem was solved it uncovered another. Depending on what needed to be done it is possible that $450 is reasonable for a complete rebuild; packings, seals and valves. Cat pumps tend to cost more than most but they also tend to be longer lived, hence their popularity in the car wash industry.

A flow switch can fail one minute after the machine has been repaired, it is a mechanical device! It is used to control the burner circuit but it can also be used to run the automatic stop. If it breaks why should he eat the cost? It needs to be done and you do not work for free so why should your supplier?

Usually a pressure switch controls the auto shutdown though. If the pump has been left in bypass too long by a failed auto shutdown then it could have caused the pump problems you experienced.

I think that you are receiving good value for the money because you do not seem convinced enough to complain merely to ask. As to squirt saying he can get a TS2021 for such a price that is entirely possible but it is not a Cat pump and you do not state which model it is. Direct drive DX or SF pumps will be more expensive than belt-drive TS pumps from General so it is a specious comparison.

I agree that you should talk to the owner and see what is up. If they are as reputable as you insist and a mistake was made then I am sure he will be forthcoming. The greatest problem in the pressure washer industry is a shortage of mechanics.

Hope this helps? Cheers.
 
ron p

MICHAEL, I want to learn not argue.
If the unit is set to shut off when the trigger is released and it was shutting down while the trigger was pulled. How could it run in bypass and hurt the pump? Is there even a bypass on this type of unit?
I want to learn more because im looking at that remote controled wand system. They take off the bypass and unloader and use a clutch on the pump.
If the flo-switch failed to shut off the wash unit then i could see it doing damage, but it failed and stopped the unit.
Is it possable that a piece of packing from the pump caused the switch to fail? Blocked the flow and it thinks you let go of the trigger.
I bet thats what happened and NO YOUR NOT GETTING SCREWED, and yes you will need to buy the flow switch.
The flow switch is after the pump, right?
I now understand what your CASCADE effect is.
Kind of like, if you get a broken metal part in your oil pump in your truck. Now you need to rebuild the whole motor because if you missed one little piece it will damage the whole motor.
 
Actually no the flow switch is at the water inlet. The machine never runs in bypass. The final bill was $650, I talked to the guy and he told me to stop by and we would discuss what was done. I have never really thought anything was done intentionally, just maybe the owner has been busy and not aware of things. The only reason I questioned it was i just had them go over it so this would not happen, but I do under stand things sometimes happen no matter. I will find out tomorrow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top