pressure washer runs for about 10 seconds then stalls, the pull string was rock hard afterward?

This is typically caused by a build up of pressure in the pump. Depending

on the pump on the washer, that build can be caused by a bad unloader or

even a stuck check valve. Please do not run the unit without the water

running, doing this can cause the internal parts of the pump to overheat

and possible become damaged. I would recommend contacting the manufacturer

of the pressure washer for a parts break down on the pump. Typically the

unloader and the check valves are simple to replace.

Pressure washers develop lots of pressure. The final pressure is controlled by a pressure relief valve that is set to open at and above it's designed pressure. If the relief valve sticks it will usually stall out the motor. To prove that all you needed to do was squeeze the trigger on the wand. That would have produced a spurt of water, then you could have pulled the start cord again.

Occasionally my PW will do that. Not sure why, but I would guess and say it has something to do with hard water and mineral deposits. So when starting my PW I sometimes have to hold the trigger on the wand. Once the motor starts I can release the trigger. If the motor comes near to stalling then I squeeze the trigger again. After a few times like this it usually works.

I have an older style "Duplex" pump. That means with two pistons. Newer models have a "Triplex" pump (3 pistons). Whatever type you have you might have cracked the housing (which sucks). If that happened then the pump is shot. You CAN buy a new pump for the machine but it often costs nearly as much as a whole new machine.

I got my PW for $10.00. It had a bad pump. I got another PW for free that had the same duplex pump, on that machine the motor was bad. Mixed the two together and I have a PW for $10.00 and the work to build it. Replacing parts is stupidly easy. Just watch Craig's list for someone who has one that doesn't run. If he wants a few bucks for it - grab it. Chances are that if it doesn't run it's because he left gas in it over the winter. Simply cleaning the carburetor will solve that problem. But if he left it over the winter without having winterized the pump then chances are there was water in the pump that froze and broke the pump. The motor may be good but the pump may be shot. Still, you may be able to remove the pressure regulator and swap it with the one you have. Just be sure to set it to the proper pressure. The best way to do that is by taking your regulator and screwing the regulating screw all the way in, counting the number of turns. Then REMEMBER that number.

Remove the regulator and disassemble it so you have the spring. That's important because different springs can have different weights. Remove the other regulator and disassemble it. Swap out the spring for the one that came on your pump then reassemble it. Completely close down the spring then back it out the same number of turns when you first counted the turns from the original setting.

But before you waste your time on this make sure the pump housing is not cracked. If it is then you're either going to have to buy a new pump or a new machine.

Hope this helps.

'')

I've found, over the years with different pressure washers, that you want to start them without the water turned on. Start them and let them warm up a bit then turn the water on. If they die, shut the water off and hold the trigger down to release the pressure before attempting to restart them. That hard pull rope is because you're trying to pull it against 2000 psi+ or what ever the pressure yours is rated for.