We've been having to dump a lot more than usual lately, and we're not getting the heat we usually get. We also can't get much pressure....everytime we try to do tile floor cleaning with the spinner the pressure almost dies completely and the pressure drops just as much. I looked into the vacuum inlet on the machine and could see water shooting in from a vent in the side. The higher I turn the pressure valve, the harder the water sprays. When I turn the water pump off it stops spraying. Anyone know whats wrong with it?
Cheyne, Is it an XL or SE? The by-pass solenoid (if you have an SE) as James eluded to could be stuck open. Take it apart and clean it. Also check the temp by-pass valve; it could be leaking water back into the recovery tank. A way to test it is to take it out, close the valve completely and then blow throught it. If you can blow through it, it is bad. There are easier ways, but that is the easiest for me to explain. Also, check the thermal relief valve, that could be stuck open and dumping water into your waste tank. Hope that helps. Chris
Great Explanation Cheyne. I wish everyone was as thorough as you in explaining symptoms. Like James and Chris stated, definately the temp by-pass valve on the front of your machine. Maybe tell the guys you work with not to crank on it because thats how it gets damaged.
Thanks for the great responses everyone. Is there anywhere I can get a manual on this machine? I have no problems figuring problems out and taking things apart etc., but I'm pretty new to this and am not sure where to find each of these valves. I guess I could always order these parts and find the piece on the machine that matches up with it. OH, and it is an SE.
go to prochems website and on the lower left it says discontinued items i think there is where i got a printable version of the breakdown on parts for my legend hope that helps some,,, Documents - Prochem - Chemicals, Cleaning Machines and Truck Mounts that is the link above just click on it takes you to the page you need to be at, then just pick your machine...
Pulled the heat bypass valve off, closed it and could still blow through it. Glad that is figured out! Where can I go for parts? I need a few other misc parts too...
Jon Don is a pretty good place, there website is Jon-Don Carpet Cleaning Products, Janitorial Supplies and Restoration Equipment buy parts for our legends there, sorry don't have phone # handy but I'm sure its on website, hope this is helpful Steve.
If I may give you some advise... When you put the new one back on. Make sure not to put too much teflon tape on it or thread the brass fittings too tight. It will crack at the threads. On that part, I like to make one pass around with the teflon tape flat and also use a dab of high strength (red) thread lock.
It is the bypass valve I have the same machine. Call Steve at Sunbelt USA in Raleigh NC he can get you a new one 919-878-6517. If you are turned all the way to the right and you can still see water in the vac inlet it will need to be replaced.
Ok, I called JonDon and the temp bypass was 75 bucks. I went to Ace hardware and got a shutoff valve for 7 dollars and it fixed that problem. No more water dumping into the vacuum chamber. BUT, I still cant get my hard floor tool to work. When I hook it up and crank the pressure, I feel the pressure in the line. Then when I pull the trigger on the hard surface tool, the pressure line sorta pulses hard, then goes limp. Pressure almost completely dies, just falls flat on its face. The temp solenoid on the right side of the machine isnt dumping any water into the vacuum chamber, so I think that is fine. I have an extra though and will probably replace it anyways. Anything else it could be? Any high pressure pumps or anything that may not be able to handle the high pressure? Everything runs fine when running the wand and around 500psi. Could it be my floor spinner?
Yeah, check your tile tool and make sure it isn't clogged-up. Is the $7 valve you bought rated to handle the heat and pressure your machine generates? -Chris
^ Should? Or it is? People need to be very careful about the fittings/valves they use in their TM's pressure/heat system. Always know what the fitting is rated at before installing it on your machine, or you could be opening yourself up for pre-mature failures, safety issues, etc..
if you are getting pressure in the line to all the other tools or wands , the problem is on your spinner . start with your quick connect and work from there to the jets . check everything in between and you will probably find an obstruction hanmpering flow.
You need to be monitering that pressure gauge while this happens. If pressure is where you set it at than it could be anything from your tool to the machine. Check your QD's ,pressure lines for collapse, it could be anything. But that pressure gauge is your main diagnostic tool. Try putting a pressure gauge at the end of yout line and see what happens. I had a problem one time with my high pressure gun. The QD's didn't match up. I never thought that would matter but it did. Sometimes a cheap QD is exactly what it is a cheap QD. A nice Parker female on a standard male may create problems in high pressure situations.
