Hey guys need some help. I have a Power Line Truck Mount unit. Runs great, great heat, new hypro pump 3000 psi. Here is my issue, I did a job a couple days ago and ran the water tank dry. I filled it up the next day. Started it up and no water pressure. I checked and re checked everything. Then I disconnected the hose to the tank to the pump and put the garden hose to it and fired it up. It ran fine and had pressure. I reconnected it back to the tank, still ran fine. That was last night, this morning started it up and same thing again, no presure! Primed it again and it worked again! So what can I do to fix this issue. Thanks Ron
Ive had this happen a few times. I find doing these few things will always get it back in shape: Fill the water tank 100% full (just to make sure and puts some pressure behind it) Fill the Injection solution tank full with anthing, i use water. Turn on the machine full throttle and pressure slightly above normal. Hook up bleeder hose. Then I do these things over and over: Open Bleeder and close over and over. (usually it will shoot a quick shot of pressure then die) Let the pressure build and repeat. Same with the chem injection. I open it all the way while i do the previous steps over and over. then ill close it and repaeat. These few things usually clear it out in a few min.
Yes the water box is lower than the pump. The hose connects at the bottom, on the van floor, the goes up to the pump. Hope that helps
fill your tank....on the supply side of the pump put a "T" in it with a shut off....hook a hose to the "T" and start the machine..open the valve until you have good pump pressure then slowly close the valve and the pressure will pick up the tank...make your fittings permanent....that way if you ever have the problem again you can get it going real fast.....everyone should have one in line...you can also do the same thing with your chemical jug...just use your solution line fittings and a quick connect....if you are having trouble priming the line..just quick connect your solution line to the suction side and it will pick up prime real fast...............
Thanks Guys! Its about 8:30 pm here in MI and I'm going to put the "t" in Jim. BUT if it doesnt work I'm bringing my 1995 Ford E350 with 125,000 miles on it with the unit in it to you AND we are just going to trade TRUCKS! I really wanted a really nice box truck! Wife said NO! But I'm sure will will go for this "deal"! All kidding a side I thank you guys for the help. I feel like I'm part of the TMF Family now.
OK I rode down to Lowes and installed it. So far it works now im going to see in the morning. I have a job set at 1pm tomorrow so i'll update you guys then. Thanks for the great idea. so far $20 fix! Gotta love that.
keep a hose on the truck and if you have the same problem just hook up to costumers house and prime the pump again.... air locks dont like to play nice and sometimes can take a bit before you get them out...
Let me briefly tell you what is happening. When the water box is below pump, all the water on the inlet side is falling back down into the tank because gravity is making this happen. In order to prevent this occurrence some "engineers" install a low cracking psi one way check valve. Your check valve right now is leaking down. This is why you are loosing prime. My suggestion would be to raise your waterbox above the pump. This would gravity feed your pump and save you money and headaches in the future. Sorry to say but it is extremely poor engineering to have the water box below the pump. I guarantee you will be purchasing lots of seals for your pump if this issue is not addressed.
Ok guys just got home a few hours ago. A carpet cleaning job with one couch turned into that plus tile and grout cleaning and Color Seal! So I got up today started it up withe the bleeder hose on it, turn the pump on and BAMB it WORKED I HAD PRESSURE! Now Jim I am going to leave the "T" in and I have hose on board so were r good to go! As far as engineers go, I work at Ford Motor Company for 18 years now. I work at the Dearborn Truck Plant, we build the mighty F150! So I put in 4 10 to 12 hour days, T -F night shift. So I have 3 days to do my business. Anyway engineers are really nice people, if the would only learn to listen to the person doing the job or even common sence we would not have half the recalls that we do! Believe me I work in the Quality Dept! That said I cannot put the water box above the pump, not even possible if you send a window licker engineer here to do it! So Jim THANK YOU! if I make to AZ I'll buy you a beer.....then steal your box truck!!! Lol! You guys are great, I hope I can help somebody one day! Ron
Glad it worked....now you are set up in case you ever have this problem again.... When I replaced the tank on my old Vortex...I had a hard time getting the air lock out so I plumed a "T" into it and she picked right up.... By reading your post that explained the problem...everything was fine until you ran it dry...so there is really no need to re-enginer the thing...I have installed a "T" into truck mounts with the water box way above the pump because of the same issue...and getting them to burp can be very difficult sometimes.... If you want to re-enginer something...install a low level water shut off float on the water supply tank...put it about 4 inches above where the suction line plumbs into the tank.....this will prevent the pump from running dry and help protect it.....if your tank runs low enough to drop the float it will shut the pump off....fill the tank and the pump is still primed.... If you run a metal tank I would take it in and have the fitting welded on.....if you have installed the after market plastic tank...a bulk head fitting will do the trick....
I'm just trying to help. I know from experience exactly what is happening. And I can tell you that you most likely have your chemical feed plumbed into the bypass of your pump. So what will also happen is when you run out of soap you will draw air into the system and because the check valve is leaking you will loose prime to your pump. (It may not loose prime every time but the chances are very high) And if your not carefull it will blow your seals. So if you cannot gravity feed the pump like it should be... Then I suggest keeping lots of spare check valves around. Installing a water level shut off does not help when the check valve is leaking down.
