Pressure Washer Won't Start? How To Figure Out The Issue and Fix It Yourself!

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Pressure Washer Not Starting? Don't Panic! Discover How to Diagnose and Fix Your Carburetor Issues with this Easy DIY Guide.
We do a full diagnosis and repair on Craftsman CMXGWAS021022 pressure washer with Briggs and Stratton 190cc engine with the idle down feature. This is the issue we see the most after pressure washers (and everything else) have been sitting for a while after not being used.
We go through the complete process with tips and tricks along with the entire idle down spring assembly set up for best results.
This idle down assembly that is shown is one of the most complex out there that they make, so many moving parts that interact together.
We go over a full detailed view of all the linkages and springs.
Get it back up and running well using these instructions. In the video we did not clean the carburetor out extensively because there really was no gum or varnish.
If yours is gummed or varnished really bad you will want to pay more attention to every small orifice and crevice and make sure all of this is gone before re-assembly.
You can use pieces of a wire brush to get the small jets, you can also use torch tip cleaners, staples, safety pins or whatever else you can fit in them to make sure they are clean on these plastic carburetors.
Pay special attention to the emulsion tube jets and the brass jets as shown in the video.
Like and subscribe to see more helpful videos like this one! Save some money by doing it yourself!
#craftsman #carburetor #pressurewashermaintenance #carburetorcleaning #smallenginerepair #individualizedrepair #smallbusiness #diymaintenance
About Us:
My name is Martin. I have been repairing tools and small engines for almost 20 years. We operate a small engine repair shop in Illinois. We service / repair Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki, John Deere, Cub Cadet, Toro Tecumseh, Loncin, Honda, Craftsman, Husqvarna, MTD, Troy Bilt, Simplicity, John Deere, Exmark, LCT, Generac and many more brands. We work on riding mowers, walk behind mowers, snow blowers, zero turns, generators, pressure washers and much more. We normally repair about 3,000 pieces of equipment every year and look at many more that are beyond an affordable repair. Hopefully our videos will save you some money and give you the information you need to work on your own equipment or figure out the issue at hand.
Disclaimer: Links included in the description are affiliate links. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. There will be no additional charge to you for purchasing here. We appreciate your support, which allows us to continue to provide original content!
Please be careful when repairing any piece of equipment and follow all possible safety measures. This video is for entertainment purposes only.

[@OffLeashK9TrainingLehighValley]

Excellent video with all the detailed steps, thank you!

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@vreyes1975]

Tha detail and instruction where 1st class .. thank you ...

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that!

[@weps2097]

Your video was right on the money! I was cursing Craftsman and Briggs and after following your instructions the culprit was actually crappy gas that provided the buildup in the jets. Makes me wonder about all the negative comments on starting issues. Enuff soapboxing, great vid! 😊

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching! Many bad reviews on equipment are because people use bad fuel or leave them sitting thinking it is ok. Glad you got it going!

[@THEGIPPER34]

Thank you! No one had anything showing the springs going on! Took mine apart and they went flying so I didn't know where that back one went! Took me 2 hours to find this video and once I did had it working in less than a minute!

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!!

[@alblake1165]

Dude, you are very good with the details. I can't think of anything that hasn't been addressed! well done, was very helpful.

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@nataliepotter3635]

Have now used this to clean house siding and it performed well kzbin.infoUgkx43QMbQqu67IZadu9ou8Sg1BdrunMRNqX I also bought some wand extensions which enabled higher washing without needing a ladder. I recommend both. This unit arrived quickly, was easy to assemble (only had to attach the handle), and arrived in perfect condition. The only very slight downgrade from a perfect score is the design has a low handle and requires pulling from the side. My old washer was an upright model, while this one is more horizontal. Other than that, it's perfect for my needs. It has a great deal of pressure and more easily cleaned the house siding, porch rails and concrete than did my older model. The engine is a bit louder, as well, but the total time to clean was reduced by the more powerful spray. Did I mention it starts on the first or second pull every time?!! I am definitely happy with this model.

[@IndRepair]

Good to know! Thanks for watching!

[@KimKoehler-sl3us]

Primed the carb with gas. Started right up. Thanks!😃

[@IndRepair]

Awesome job!

[@SALMANDER33]

Got mine up and running! Thanks for creating this video 📹 🙌

[@IndRepair]

Great job! Thanks for watching!

[@thestigg16]

Thank You for making this video. I too was having the same issue untill I discovered your video. I really loved the close up of the spring locations. Thanks Again

[@IndRepair]

Awesome! Glad to help. Thanks for watching!!

[@thestigg16]

@IndRepair I have a problem maybe you can create a new video or a solution you can share. I have a similar Craftsman pressure washer that you used in your carb cleaning video. The washer runs with one pull. When you pull the pressure wand, the engine dies. I replaced the unloader valve with a new one and I'm getting the same result. Any ideas why it's dying? Thanks

[@1nf1n1telove4]

Thanks!

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that!

[@davidfusick9785]

I have the same pressure washer with the same issue. Thanks so much for the video!!

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!! Glad to help!

[@yamel13j]

Sweet!!!! I was able to fix mine. Saved me a ton of money on a new one or repair

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@MrWfreese]

Finally a video that matches my exact model. Great stuff! Any reason my oil would have a strong gas odor? I'm going to change the oil. I watched your video, got the carb cleaned out, linkage matches your close ups, new spark plug, fresh gas, but when I try to start it up, it just sputters for a few seconds and turns off. Any ideas on what to try next?

[@IndRepair]

You are probably completely flooded out! I would change the oil and flush additional fuel from the cylinder. Should fire up relatively easily at that point I hope! Thanks for watching!

[@vreyes1975]

Thanks u so much..

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help!

[@rickthomas467]

Thank You !!

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!!

[@stevearbogast8556]

I have this exact same pressure washer. Wouldn't start after 3 years. My bad though, i don't think i treated the gas with stabil last season, even though i did bring it in for the winter as i always do. Took off the carb, broke it down just like you did, ultrasonic cleaned it, rinsed it off with Brakleen, dried it out, put everything back together and back on, fresh gas, and it wouldn't start still. It popped a few times, but never took off. I let it sit for a day, went to bed disgusted thinking I'm gonna have to buy a new one because i need a pressure washer. I took off the air filter the next day, and looked at the carb butterfly position. It appeared shut, but further inspection, it looked like there was an approximate .002" - .003" gap. It barely moved when i used a small standard screw driver to gently see if it did move, but thought it might just be enough, that its getting too much air. I loosened the bolt clamp on that automatic idler cable, and pulled on it (it barely moved, but it did move back) and re-tightened the bolt clamp. First pull, it popped and stalled. Second pull it fired right up. Shut it off, pulled again -fired up first pull. Shut it off again, and again - fired on first pull. It's crazy how sensitive that adjustment needs to be. I'm not complaining. I got my washer back! Thanks for the video man!!

[@IndRepair]

They sure are finicky! Great job!

[@user-rk3ku4ue7j]

I could be wrong, But I thought the large allen head plug in the end of the bowl also had a vent hole in it. Some older Carburators that have a metal bowl have a steel hex plug with a small hole in it.

[@IndRepair]

No vent hole in the hex plug on these but some designs have a different design

[@johncoulter9287]

Great job!! Thank you

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@nwcemetery4681]

Great video thank you very much.

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@ronheiden2750]

Very informative video! Thank you

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@nater49ers36]

W man's right here

[@IndRepair]

Not sure what you are saying but thanks for watching!

[@jamesdodson9417]

Old guitar strings are perfect for cleaning the jets

[@IndRepair]

Great tip! Thanks for watching!

[@ScotBurtwell]

Thanks for posting this video! After replacing the carb, magneto, plug, and pump head I finally got mine running again. Adjusting the throttle cable is what finally got it started up consistently. However I do have to put a clamp on the handle to keep it on so it will start? The pull to start hangs up and it actually lifts the front of the pressure washer up and tips over if I don’t? Lastly when I put in the zero degree tip and pull the trigger it just shuts off immediately? Any help would be appreciated. So glad I found this video for this specific model!!!

[@IndRepair]

It sounds like the unloader on the pump is not working properly causing this issue. Back pressure from the pump itself

[@ScotBurtwell]

@@IndRepair thanks I’ll have to try and look into it sometime this week. Appreciate the responce

[@ScotBurtwell]

I finally had some to dig into this again. I had to adjust the choke cable from the water pump and also adjusted to set screw on the back of the loader valve. Starts easier now and stays on with the 0 degree tip on it! Thanks again for posting this video!

[@IndRepair]

@@ScotBurtwell Awesome job!

[@MrEricdgreat]

I have the same washer will not stay running not sure if leakage is correct an you send picture??? Never mind I seen the video to the end thank you 😊

[@IndRepair]

Awesome! Why I made it, couldn't find a good one when I was trying to hook it up myself after someone had it jacked up

[@MrEricdgreat]

@@IndRepair looked all over happy a came across it thank you again.

[@IndRepair]

@@MrEricdgreat Glad to hear it helped

[@steveriggenbach90]

It helps to hear your thoughts as your going over it. That gas was way to clear. Did you try lighting it? When you’re not familiar, do you use an IPL? Thanks and take care.

[@IndRepair]

Yeah it would light but was definitely stale. Always use parts lists when things are unknown. Thanks for watching!

[@DrJoshStone]

I have a brand new pressure washer and I can’t seem to get it started. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It seems difficult to pull, too. Love this video.

[@IndRepair]

Many times the backpressure from the pump will stick during startup and make it almost impossible to pull. Release the high pressure in the hose/wand by pulling the wand trigger and try again. Thanks for watching!

[@DrJoshStone]

@@IndRepair sure enough...never knew...now I know. Beautiful.

[@IndRepair]

@@DrJoshStone Awesome!

[@david9783]

Yours seems to be the ONLY documentation of the confusing sping system on these carbs. Mine doesn't "idle down", so it's a lot simpler to maintain. I call it "ol' one pull". Fires right up!

[@IndRepair]

Awesome news glad your works well!!

[@MrEricdgreat]

Now just a small surge ???

[@marieortiz698]

Thanks 🤙🏼

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@slideordie240sx]

Any way you could post a top pic of which springs go where and how the hook on everything?

[@IndRepair]

Start at 21:47 this should show you all you need

[@slideordie240sx]

@@IndRepair so for whatever reason, I don't have the holes to mount the other 2 springs. I've got a decent picture but I'm not sure how to post it on here

[@IndRepair]

@@slideordie240sx If you do not have the springs your unit may not be an idle down version?

[@privacyfig]

I can get mine to start with an alternative fuel supply, but it only runs for a few seconds and then dies again. I've cleaned the carburetor, but it didn't change anything. I got a spark and compression. If I open the carb drain, the fuel is dripping through, so up until the carburetor, there doesn't seem to be any obstruction in the fuel line. Oh, and the gas is new too. What else can I check?

[@IndRepair]

If it is getting to the carburetor but still not starting there is either a massive air leak between the carburetor and engine or the main jet is clogged

[@IndRepair]

Fuel should be flowing fast from the drain if fully open not just dripping

[@privacyfig]

@@IndRepair Thanks for the pointer, I got it working now. I did indeed miss the jet because I have a Ruixing 127 and its main jet is not inside the bolt at the bottom of the bowl. Plus it also has a pilot jet that needed cleaning too. Once I cleaned them both, there was no more problem starting up.

[@IndRepair]

Awesome job!

[@jacobmclendon5192]

I was wondering, how would you drain the oil from this model? Also, what if the water pump isn't making any pressure?

[@IndRepair]

Remove the dipstick then tip it over on the side so the oil tube is closest to the ground (air filter will be facing up)

[@IndRepair]

If the pump isn't making pressure check water supply for air and make sure all connections are right to begin with. If not water is coming out at all you likely have a blockage in the hose or wand most times

[@myfakeguuglaccount8307]

What's the big silver spring at 22:30 called? I can't get my washer started, and after watching your video, I noticed mine is missing that spring.

[@IndRepair]

That is the choke return spring. Without it the choke stays open and normally won't start

[@myfakeguuglaccount8307]

THANK YOU! I don't know how the heck it disappeared since I last used it. In fact, I realized from watching your video that the front part of the air filter mounting bracket is bent INWARD instead of outward (toward the front or the washer), causing interference with all those moving parts. Your video is massively helpful!

[@myfakeguuglaccount8307]

Ordered a new spring. In the meantime, I bent the little frame back towards the front, rearranged all the levers/arms per your video, and slapped a small rubber band where that spring should go. Started right up!

[@jnstrcklnd]

I have a similar model, and it stalls when I squeeze the trigger. Not all the time but frequently.

[@IndRepair]

I would say most likely a carburetor issue

[@jnstrcklnd]

​@IndRepair I changed out the red nozzle for the yellow and it's working great now. 😂

[@IndRepair]

Haha nice

[@jamzempire]

I have one that runs for like 10 minutes then shuts off. Any idea why?

[@IndRepair]

It could be a partial clog in the fuel filter inside the tank, the lines or at the carburetor inlet likely. Sometimes ignition coil will heat up and stop working also

[@milankrstic3621]

Do you know which carburstor is exact replacement for this one? I see new ones are going for $25-$30 so maybe it’s easier to just get new one. Ty

[@IndRepair]

This is one of the more expensive ones with no aftermarket replacement, if I remember correctly. This one is going to be better off to clean in my opinion. Thanks for watching!

[@TheLightworkz]

Great video!! do you know the part number for main jet so I can order on Amazon!!!

[@IndRepair]

597331 is the part number but there is not one available on Amazon that I see

[@IndRepair]

Thank you!

[@Sagemeister007]

tthe black wire on mine is dangling. where is it supposed to connect to?

[@IndRepair]

Should be pretty easy to see around 21:50

[@Sagemeister007]

The previous owner loaned a near new pressure washer to a neighbor after only one use. When he got it back it wasn’t working. He replace spark plug, carburetor, new oil and gas and wouldn’t start. He threw it out after many attempts so I picked it up. First I noticed there’s no spark as I tested as you’ve shown. I noticed the red wire was connected from the starter to ground. The black wire attached to switch but dangling. I watched your video and it showed the black is connect from starter to switch. The red wire from ground to switch. Now it runs perfectly and I got myself almost new pressure washer for free.

[@IndRepair]

Awesome! Great job!

[@royd.7054]

How or where do I get that fuel hose set up with the red ball valve?

[@IndRepair]

You can purchase one at amzn.to/4aqKXqL

[@BREEZYGAMING_TRUE_GAMING]

What if my choke stays open

[@IndRepair]

Thermal disc autochoke feature is bad or one of the springs is not in the correct location

[@lifeistoshorttolookback]

Question: If I add carburetor cleaning in the carb and it wants to start, does that mean it's the carb?

[@IndRepair]

If it starts on carburetor cleaner but dies after burning the cleaner off then there is a fuel supply issue (shut off, line or filter clogged) or the carburetor is gummed up (or has a stuck needle)

[@lifeistoshorttolookback]

@Individualized Repair I took the carburetor out and cleaned it, poked the little holes on it, and the same issue. The air filter is clean. What I didn't do it add new gas. That might be the issue. I will keep you updated.

[@IndRepair]

Sounds like a good plan

[@wahmmydakidd7435]

What would you do if someome put oil in the gas

[@IndRepair]

Clean and flush carburetor and tank

[@davidmulner8689]

Is the coil bad if I have no spark

[@IndRepair]

It could be unplug the kill wire from the coil and test the spark plug again with a new spark plug. If no spark then the coil is definitely bad

[@richardsilva5134]

Thanks for the video. I am trying to rescue this old craftsman 7.75 auto choke automatic throttle control engine on this power washer. I believe it's missing the spring that holds the choke closed when cold. I see where the spring goes into the choke actuator lever but I'm sure where the other end connects and also part number for the spring I need to purchase. Can you help me with this?

[@IndRepair]

Yeah, would need the engine information to be on the same page

[@richardsilva5134]

@@IndRepair Briggs & Stratton professional series 7.75 Auto throttle. It's for a power washer. Not much luck on finding a model number. I have since found where the spring connects to this is for the choke vein lever spring. But I'm sure about part number for the spring I researched it but cannot find. Any help is appreciated thank you.

[@IndRepair]

It is a different set up than shown here? I thought they were all like this on the auto throttle versions

[@richardsilva5134]

I think it's the same. I located both connection ends of the choke vane spring. I have several small springs but this one has to be more exact in tension and size etc. I'm hoping to find the OEM part replacement #

[@IndRepair]

I am not sure which one is missing but the video should show them all and exactly where they connect. If you have one specifically to question I can try to help there

[@user-my8tp5ok7f]

Is it okay to put those plastic carbs in the ultra sonic cleaner? Lmk.

[@IndRepair]

Yeah it is fine

[@victorio543]

Would you mind sharing how much a shop charges for a job like this

[@IndRepair]

$85 would be the normal charge for something like this if it was a standard job at our shop. Many places hourly rates are higher and I think we charged more on this because it took a bit to figure out what he had hooked up wrong himself. Thanks for watching!

[@greggoryconklin9828]

Clear 🤣 1:39 🤔 👀

[@IndRepair]

Lol

[@copperheaddesigns672]

what carb is this i can not find one anywhere

[@IndRepair]

Do you have the actual engine number from the pressure washer by chance? I am almost positive it is a 597327 which can be purchased at amzn.to/3udvr2b

[@davidmulner8689]

No spark

[@IndRepair]

N good

[@judykelly9887]

Why want pull string work locked up

[@judykelly9887]

Thank you

[@IndRepair]

Could have pressure against the pump may just need to pull the handle to release the pressure

[@PaloRodriguez-mp3kk]

No se ve dónde gancho, el resorte. Sus manos están emfrente

[@IndRepair]

I show a good spot in the video shows all the spring well

[@philliphall5198]

There just cheap junk and are made to only last a year if that long

[@IndRepair]

Put good gas in and service it and they will last quite a while...definitely far from bulletproof but everything is junk if not serviced and taken care of anymore

[@philliphall5198]

After I’ve done about 36 of them in two months there pretty good carb and easy to fix Biggest problem I see is no fuel filter or cut off valve

[@IndRepair]

Definitely!