Why Need To Adjust Unloader Valves?
First, let's go over why we need to adjust these unloader valves. These valves help control and regulate the pressure in your pressure washer to keep it at the right level. If your washer is running at too high or too low of a pressure, tweaking these valves can help fix that. It also can limit the pressure range of your pressure to avoid damage when you wash. The high pressure not only damages the washing's surface but also damages the internals such as the pump, engine, hose,…
Another reason is if you just replaced some parts of your washer, like the pump or the high-pressure hose. Replacing components can sometimes change the pressure, so we may need to readjust the valves to account for these changes. Unsuitable pressure is also the reason why leaky pressure washer hose.
When using different nozzle tips on your washer can affect the pressure as well. So we may need to adjust the unloader valves to compensate for the different tips and keep the pressure steady.
Tool Required
Few of the tools I'm going to use to set the pressure on your unloader. A lot of people have a lot of trouble, trouble with this when they're not getting the pressure they believe they should be.
2 Adjustable wrenches
1 Screwdriver
1 Socket wrench
1 PSI gauge
How to Adjust the Pressure Washer unloader valve
For some cases, pressure washer valve adjustment without a gauge can be done in this way however we recommend using a PSI gauge so that the pressure can be properly controlled to avoid damage during use.
Okay, let me walk you through adjusting the unloader valve on your pressure washer in three simple steps:
Step 1: Empty the pressure inside the machine
Shut off your pressure washer's engine. Pull the plug or switch to kill the power.
Detach the hose from the washer unit completely.
Press the trigger on your spray gun a few times. Keep squeezing and releasing the trigger until no more water comes out. This removes any built-up pressure.
Give the pump time to discharge any remaining pressure inside the washer fully. Better safe than sorry!
Step 2: Locate the unloader valve
It's usually found on the pump head or near where the water comes out of the pump. With the prepared tools above, you can turn to change the pressure.
Once you spot the unloader valve, unscrew it. Inside, you'll see a threaded piston rod, a thin washer, a spring, and two locking nuts. Take off the spring and washer so you can adjust the locking nuts which control how low is unloader valve can go down.
Step 3: Adjust the locking nuts to increase or decrease the pressure
To increase pressure, adjust the positions of two locking nuts
If you want to build pressure a little higher, you have to lower them.
If you want to restrict the amount of pressure your machine, you should bring them up
Lock the two locking nuts together. Put the spring, washer, and black adjustment knob back on.
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Fire up your pressure washer again and press the trigger on the spray wand. Slowly tighten the spring down using the adjustment screw. Keep tightening until the pressure stops going up with each turn. This is your washer's maximum pressure.
TIP: Don't overtighten past the maximum pressure, or the pressure spike when releasing the trigger could get too large and become dangerous.
