Simpson ALH3228-S First Startup.

[@ctaz9476]

same Machine same problem took over a hundred pulls to finally get it started, I probably flooded it first

[@Pontisteve]

Update! It's been 7 months now, and this thing has worked great ever since. I keep it full of non-ethanol fuel when I'm not using it, and I spray pump protection foam into the pump when I let it sit. It fires right up on the first pull or two usually, if I open the fuel valve, turn the on/off switch on, set the throttle to full throttle, fully close the choke, purge the air out of the water for 30 seconds, and hold the wand trigger open with one hand while pulling the rope with the other. For that initial first startup, I do recommend Jimmy Warren's advice. Leave the high pressure hose disconnected and let the water run out the pressure fitting as you do that initial startup. This will keep you from killing your arm like I did. I dont' know why that initial startup was so hard. Also, make sure every time you start it, including the initial time, that the fuel valve is open, the choke is set to full, the throttle is set to wide open, and the ignition on/off switch is set to on. As soon as it starts, turn the choke off immediately. Now that I use this process, the machine has been great. It starts right up, works like a horse, and is light. I try to use it in the grass so it doesn't wear the vibration pads out, and leave marks on hard surfaces. I leave a 6" piece of coiled short hose on it so that it's easier to connect the garden hose, and so the water filter never gets lost or falls out (thanks Doc!). It's efficient on gas. I keep it full of non-ethanol fuel when sitting, and it fires right up. The oil level should basically be up to or into the threads for the dipstick. There is a small controversy about the proper way to check the oil, whether it's screwed all the way in or just pushed up against the block to check it. The Honda manuals tell the proper way.

[@TommyBoy11746]

Appreciate you're video.. plan on getting the exact unit.. Saved me the aggravation how to first starting up.. Thanks again..

[@Pontisteve]

Just go full choke, full throttle, and hold the trigger wide open. Or don't connect the hose to the outlet of the pump, just let the pump spray water out. After that initial startup, things got much easier. But still, you have to hold the trigger open while pulling the rope. Which is a bit of a pain.

[@JC-vq2vv]

Steve- I tried the techniques below but still can't fire it up on 1st start. I sprayed 30 seconds and a bit longer , holding it down and still won't fire up. I waited a few minutes and took the wand off and tried that it didn't fire up , mess around with the choke as well. Tks for the video.

[@dragradialperformance3540]

Remove the wand or pressure hose, and turn the water on. Make sure the oil level is correct, and it's got fresh, straight gasoline in the tank. Turn the ignition switch to on. Push the fuel cutoff switch to on. Slide the throttle to full throttle. Turn the choke to full on. Try to pull start it 5 or 6 times. If it fires up, immediately shut the choke off. If it doesn't start, Turn the choke off, and pull start it until it starts. If it still doesn't start, check or replace the spark plug, and check for spark.

[@jeffm8882]

You need to keep the hose trigger pulled almost always or you’re going to ruin the pump. Never let the pump build up pressure for more than a few seconds.

[@ivanmatala]

To start smoothly, better to release the pressure on the wand by holding it and start it at the same time. Quite a challenge to do with 1 person

[@boskosdoghouse]

If you have a ball valve at the end of the hose it would go like this prime the pump with water....then turn off the ball valve at end of hose Then start then motor with the hose turned off, you have 30 seconds to turn it back on to re prime the pump to start working. Chances are, once the motor fires you turn the water back on right away and the pump only runs for 5 to 10 seconds. I have done this for 14 years with no issues...

[@benjaminleslie3155]

It's always a learning curve, those Hondas are meant to be on full throttle when starting, ya just got to squeeze the wand trigger in one hand and pull the cord in the other. I would advise leaving the tips off the wand since you'll need to bleed the lines of air anyway. 👍

[@Pontisteve]

Now that I've gone thru this difficult first time, this thing fires right up for me. Turn the fuel lever on, turn the choke on full, put it to full throttle or close to full throttle, purge the air out of the lines for 30 seconds or so (with the pressure nozzle removed for now), and give it a pull. It usually fires right up. If it doesn't, squeeze the handle to remove any new water pressure, and pull again. I keep the fuel tank full of ethanol free fuel when storing it, and use a shot of pump protector in the pump. As soon as it fires up, shut the choke off. If it doesn't fire up, you should shut the choke off after just a couple pulls anyway, or it will flood.

[@michaelwilson486]

Did you turn kill switch on

[@dragradialperformance3540]

Yes. The problem with it not starting was two fold. First, it was new. It seems to work much better after that first event. Second, I should have left the pressure hose off and just let it run water out on the ground. Or, I could have held the trigger the entire time while cranking. I followed the instructions to the letter on purpose, and it didn't work out. They need to add that the choke needs to be on full, throttle on full, and trigger held the entire time. For the first ever startup, I would leave the pressure hose off, and make it easier to start the first time.

[@John_D2]

Don't idle it when you're not using it , that will burn up the pump ,even if the water is hooked up. Honda's require very little choke , if any.

[@Pontisteve]

Yeah, I know. I was just so focused on that thing not starting that I almost forgot about that. Thus the comment at the very end.

[@francisfaustino]

I received mine yesterday and it has been an absolute pain in the ass. I removed the pump to make sure the engine is working. I finally got it to start by running water through the pump but no pressure hose connected to the pump's output. I ran it for around a minute like that and after that, it starts on one pull. I think the pump internals is just a bit tight from the factory and needs a bit of breaking in.

[@bradhendrickson7067]

You don't need to to CHOKE a warm engine

[@Pontisteve]

It wasn't warm. It was brand new, and cold.

[@bryanbahling2877]

Do yourself a favor next time and take the wand off so it flows freely while starting. Once started shut off engine and reattach wand then start again and you're good.

[@Pontisteve]

Yep, good advice!

[@jimmywarren6685]

Next time...REMOVE THE PRESSURE HOSE WHILE PULLING THE ROPE UNTIL IT STARTS...then turn it off and put the pressure hose back on and restart the machine.

[@Pontisteve]

The instructions didn't say anything about doing this, but it would have made my life much easier on that initial startup. Ever since that first time, I've had no trouble with starting it by just holding the trigger open while pulling the rope with one hand.

[@davec5511]

take the tip off zip tie the gun pistol open keep gun open then start pulling ez pulls maybe help ya in future cheers

[@darthnatas953]

Uh, hold the trigger open while you pull to start.

[@ivanmatala]

Have u tried putting it on full throttle and see if it shakes violently? How do you plan to use it ? Full throttle or just middle or 1/3?

[@Pontisteve]

I haven't messed with the throttle too much. But the faster you run the engine, the better it is going to run. The slower you run the engine, the less pressure it will probably build and the easier it probably is on the pump, as long as you are only using the water in short bursts or for light duty things like washing a car.

[@michaelwilson486]

Just hold it

[@ralph5450]

Ask Karl.

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

I Have One Here New, I Only Used One Time And I Got Frustrated Like You, Not Starting Anymore I Donot Know Why Government Allow To Sell Garbage 😢 Amén.

[@Pontisteve]

Life will be easier for you if you do everything I did, except instead of connecting the hose to the wand, just leave that quick connect off, letting water just spray. Or, use the wand and have someone hold the trigger the whole time. Turn the RPM all the way up, and turn the choke on full. Once it starts up, you can almost immediately shut the choke off. After the initial startup, which was hard and frustrating, it's been great ever since.

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

@@Pontisteve You Never Has A Starting Problem Anymore ??? Thank You For The Advice But Mine Still New And Not Working With 100 Tricks.

[@Pontisteve]

@@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152No, I have not had any more problems. It was hard to start that first time, mostly because I wasn't easily able to release the pump pressure. I needed to either leave the wand hose off, or have someone hold the trigger for me. Once that initial start up and run was done, it was never a problem again... partly because I now know to hold the trigger while I'm starting the machine. Otherwise, the pump creates too much pressure and prevents you from being able to pull the starter easily enough. It's a good machine! Just pull the trigger while starting it.

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

@@Pontisteve Thank You My Friend.

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

Chose Kohler Engines Are Better Than Honda. Kohler Has No Games, They Start In The First Time And Honda Who Knows. Amén.

[@pchelandenny]

I've had great success with Honda yard equipment motors for the past 30 or so years. My little Karcher K2400 PW that I purchased from Costco many, many years ago, still fires up on the first or second pull, even after wintering. Same with my Honda mowers. Have never heard that about Kohler engines.

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

@@pchelandenny Yeah You know About Kohler Engines, If You Have A House, Look Your Lawnmower The Best Lawnmowers Has Kohler Engines, I Owned Honda, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Karcher, Petrol, Etc I Have A Lot Of Machines, The Best Kohler, Honda Mmm Famous Brand Only But Starting Problems.

[@bradhendrickson7067]

@@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152 SMALL ENGINE SHOP says Stay away from KOHLER.. at least the newer ones... Granted I have a Kohler on a Dixon thats 22 years old.. Starts like day one

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

@@bradhendrickson7067 I OWN Brands And I Fix Them Too, Honda = Garbage.

[@loveasmr686]

Dude you see it building pressure and then you release it but then you put the wand back down Im sitting here saying to myself how many times is this guy going to do this untill he realizes if he hold the trigger on it is easier to pull but hey common sense isn't for everyone