You finally found some time to clean your driveway, car, or backyard. However, your once reliable and useful Troy Bilt pressure washer won’t start. What now? Don’t worry, I know from experience how frustrating this situation is, so I am here to help.
Pressure washer malfunction can happen due to a number of reasons. Continue reading to find out about some common causes and solutions to them. Luckily, chances are the problem is minor and you will be able to solve it in no time.
What Would Cause A Pressure Washer Not To Start?
Troy Bilt pressure washers are generally dependable. The manufacturer is one of the best out there, so you may be confused as to why your pressure washer suddenly doesn’t work anymore. Let’s look into some common reasons for this inconvenience.
1. Old Fuel
Stale gasoline is one of the possible reasons your pressure washer won’t start. Different types of fuels have different lifespans. If you use ethanol gas and you haven’t used your pressure washer for more than a month, you can expect that the fuel has already started degrading.
This happens because of oxygen, heat, and humidity coming in contact with the gas, which in turn leads to a lack of combustion, volatility, and the pressure washer’s ability to start or keep running.
Solution
The best way to deal with this problem is to replace old gas with new. You should drain the fuel tank and put fresh gasoline in. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use 84-90 octane unleaded gasoline that contains less than 10% of alcohol.
You can also consider using a fuel stabilizer in order to prevent gas evaporation, especially if you don’t use your pressure washer frequently.
2. Lack of Oil
Just like a car, your pressure washer needs oil to run smoothly. If your pressure washer doesn’t start, check if there is enough oil in the tank. If not, this is the most likely reason for your problem.
Another possible issue is not changing the oil regularly. Oil can start to degrade over time, which can cause problems with the engine.
Solution
If your pressure washer doesn’t start either because it lacks oil or the oil hasn’t been changed for a while, the solution is the same and simple. You should change the oil and ensure that the machine doesn’t run out of it again.
It is recommended that you change the oil in your pressure washer every couple of months. Follow the manufacturer’s advice on what type of oil to use for your specific model of pressure washer.
3. Dirty Air Filter
The air filter is an important part of your pressure washer. It keeps dirt, soil, dust, and debris from entering the engine and carburetor in order to prolong the life of the machine. However, the air filter can get dirty or clogged, which may be the reason your pressure washer won’t start.
Solution
Locate the air filter on your pressure washer. If it is dirty, wash and dry it thoroughly before putting it back. If your air filter is too dirty or even clogged, you should consider changing it. It is a cheap investment that will save you a lot of trouble in the future.
4. Defective Spark Plug
A spark plug is one of the crucial parts of gas-powered pressure washers. It helps power the engine by igniting the air-fuel mixture. A defective, dirty, or broken spark plug can be a reason for your pressure washer malfunction.
Solution
Locate the spark plug on your Troy Bilt pressure washer model. Compare it to the picture of what a functioning spark plug should look like. If it is any different, you should consider replacing it.
Generally speaking, you should change the spark plug every 100 hours of use, or around once a year, depending on how often you use your pressure washer.
5. Bad Ignition Coil
An ignition coil is a prerequisite for a spark plug to start the engine because it sends the voltage to the spark plug needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture. If the ignition coil is damaged, your pressure washer won’t start.
You can test how well the coil works by using an ignition spark tester. If there are no sparks, there is nothing to trigger the voltage, so your ignition coil is bad.
Solution
The only solution to this problem is to buy a new coil and replace the old one. This is not a particularly complicated process, but if you are not sure how to do it, hire a professional just to be safe.
6. Clogged Carburetor
We already mentioned that you should regularly change the gas in your pressure washer to avoid problems with it going stale. Another issue that can arise if the fuel goes bad is a clogged carburetor.
A clogged carburetor can prevent gas from going into the combustion chamber, which can be the reason your pressure washer won’t work properly or even start at all.
Solution
The first solution to this problem is to clean the carburetor. You should use a high-quality carburetor cleaner and make sure to do it thoroughly so the problem doesn’t repeat again soon.
If the problem persists, you should consider installing a new carburetor.
7. Broken Flywheel Key
Another possible reason your Troy Bilt pressure washer won’t start is because of a broken flywheel key. This small part of your pressure washer is necessary to protect the crankshaft in case of impact.
Solution
Replacing a flywheel key can be a difficult job to do if you are not experienced. If you are not confident in your skills, consider contacting a repair shop near you.
8. Bad Water Supply
If your pressure washer won’t start or if it doesn’t work properly, it may be due to your water source. The water pressure may not be strong enough or your garden hose is damaged.
Solution
In this case, switch to another water supply and make sure to use a high-pressure hose.
Conclusion
Troy Bilt pressure washers are generally durable and reliable. However, there are many reasons you may have a problem starting your pressure washer.
To avoid possible problems with your machine, ensure regular and proper maintenance. Usually, a simple DIY will do the trick, but sometimes you will need to be prepared to visit a repair shop.
If you have any questions about your pressure washer, feel free to drop them down below!