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Kew Hobby 88 Pressure Washer Fault Diagnosis

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Gelf

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Mar 29, 2005, 5:24:11 PM3/29/05
to
I bought this at the car bootie last year. I guess it's a bit long in
the tooth, but it seems substantially built.
Naturally, it doesn't work properly (always the way!)
The pump runs but the water comes out in rapid pulsating spurts and
the pressure gauge fluctuates from zero to about 1/4 way round.
Any suggestions of likely fault before I strip it down and likelyhood
and source of any spares that may be needed?
TIA Gelf

raden

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Mar 29, 2005, 5:52:40 PM3/29/05
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In message <2skj41pdb8b689b0b...@4ax.com>, Gelf
<old...@freeuk.com> writes

Prostate trouble

--
geoff

Sparks

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Mar 29, 2005, 5:05:37 PM3/29/05
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"Gelf" <old...@freeuk.com> wrote in message
news:2skj41pdb8b689b0b...@4ax.com...

A pressure washer I used has this same problem, pulsating output.

It was the dump valve (It is supposed to dump the high pressure side back to
the low pressure side when you stop the output) but when you open the output
agin, the valve is supposed to stay shut; it wasn't staying shut due to some
crap in it.

Also, i had the same problem when the lance was partially blocked, the unit
ramped up to too higher pressure, the dump valve operated, the pressure then
dropped as the output was actually open, and then it just cycles like this.
(In my unit, taking off the nozzle at the end resulted in water spraying out
of 4 holes in the side, and one in the end - the one in the end was clogged
with crap, clearing this cleared the fault.

Sparks...


Sparks

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Mar 29, 2005, 5:06:45 PM3/29/05
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> Prostate trouble
>
> --
> geoff

Fix your clock!
It looks like I posted a reply to you before your wrote it!


Magician

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Mar 29, 2005, 6:16:54 PM3/29/05
to
Sparks

You are dead right in your diagnosis, although I'd check the nozzle
first!

Worth the effort, the KEW 88 is a legend amongst domestic pressure
washers.

Spares should be available. KEW is now called Alto and they are in
Penrith, Cumbria.

Dave

raden

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Mar 29, 2005, 7:17:48 PM3/29/05
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In message <4249df8b$0$38037$bed6...@news.gradwell.net>, Sparks
<th...@is.invalid> writes
That's what comes of watching Dr Who

It looks OK here


--
geoff

Dave Liquorice

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Mar 29, 2005, 9:07:50 PM3/29/05
to
On 29 Mar 2005 15:16:54 -0800, Magician wrote:

> Worth the effort, the KEW 88 is a legend amongst domestic pressure
> washers.
>
> Spares should be available. KEW is now called Alto and they are in
> Penrith, Cumbria.

Ooo, useful snippet. Sort of in the market for a pressure washer and
was probably going for a karcher if only beacuse of the market
penetration and bright colour.

But if Kew/Alto are in Penrith and they are still thought of as a good
buy that is a whole new ball game. Penrith is just 20 miles away, lot
better than trying to get to Germany...

--
Cheers new...@howhill.com
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

Peter Parry

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Mar 30, 2005, 4:27:59 AM3/30/05
to
On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 23:24:11 +0100, Gelf <old...@freeuk.com> wrote:

>I bought this at the car bootie last year. I guess it's a bit long in
>the tooth, but it seems substantially built.
>Naturally, it doesn't work properly (always the way!)
>The pump runs but the water comes out in rapid pulsating spurts and
>the pressure gauge fluctuates from zero to about 1/4 way round.

Quite often caused by insufficient inlet pressure or the presence of
a pressure limiting valve on the mains supply side. Try putting a
bucket of water about 4ft above the ground and taking a short length
of hose from that to the washer. If it works OK it is poor water feed
causing the problem.


--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

Magician

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Mar 30, 2005, 4:59:02 AM3/30/05
to
Hi Peter

>>>Quite often caused by insufficient inlet pressure or the presence of

a pressure limiting valve on the mains supply side.

Could be. On that point, avoid the hozelock 'auto stop' connectors
with pressure cleaners. These have a valve inside so you can
disconnect the fitting without turning the water off.

The suction from the pump often causes the valve to operate and
restrict the water supply.

Dave

Magician

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Mar 30, 2005, 5:09:09 AM3/30/05
to
Dave wrote; Ooo, useful snippet

Nilfisk-ALTO
Division of Nilfisk-Advance Ltd.
Bowerbank Way
Gilwilly Industrial Estate
UK-Penrith, Cumbria CA 11 9BQ

Tel.: +44 1768 868995
Fax: +44 1768 864713
E-mail: sa...@nilfisk-alto.co.uk
www.nilfisk-alto.co.uk

The Wanderer

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Mar 30, 2005, 5:23:08 AM3/30/05
to

Got the same washer (I think), and yes it's (very) long in the tooth. I'm
guessing mine is 20+ years old.

Had exactly this problem, and it still crops up from time to time. It's
invariably a smallish bit of grit in the outlet lance, keeps blocking the
nozzle. Bit of a pig to clean out, I've found setting the lance to the low
pressure setting and 'jet' rather than fan spray so you can dribble some
water down through the nozzle, combined with some repeated tapping onto a
block of wood (don't damage the pipe & seal at the other end) will dislodge
the grit.

Don't try removing the nozzle. I tried it, buggered the 'fan' spray
deflectors and finished up buying a new spray lance complete. Quite pricey.


--
the dot wanderer at tesco dot net

Magician

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Mar 30, 2005, 6:12:33 AM3/30/05
to
The Wanderer wrote;

>>>>>It's
invariably a smallish bit of grit in the outlet lance, keeps blocking
the
nozzle. Bit of a pig to clean out<<<<

Best done with an airline IMO. Try not to poke things into the nozzle,
the size is crucial. We use 6 different sizes of nozzle and the
difference between the biggest and the smallest is 0.5mm.

Dave

Martin Evans

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Mar 30, 2005, 7:07:12 AM3/30/05
to
"Magician" <davi...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

I hope they have a better policy on spares pricing than they had 10
years ago. Not long out of guarantee a motor burned out on a 340 quid
unit. They offered a new motor at 270 quid or a 'reconditioned'
pressure washer on exchange with 3 months guarantee at 290 quid.

Needless to say I declined so I ground the weld out and split the
motor casing, pulled the armature and had it rewound for 20 quid. A
15 quid weld job later (on stainless) and it was as good as new.


--

Gelf

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Mar 31, 2005, 4:12:53 AM3/31/05
to
On 30 Mar 2005 03:12:33 -0800, "Magician" <davi...@blueyonder.co.uk>
wrote:

[op]: thanks for all your helpful replies. It looks like it's worth
saving.
I think I'll start with the dump valve - it looks favourite for me
Gelf

Daniel

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Jun 26, 2022, 9:30:39 AM6/26/22
to
Hi Martin, I have a Hobby 88 thats only producing 20 bar pressure. Did you take photos of the pump with the casing split open as I will be very interested to see what the innards look like.. Thanks

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/uk-diy/kew-hobby-88-pressure-washer-fault-diagnosis-165740-.htm

Andrew

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Jun 26, 2022, 10:19:52 AM6/26/22
to
On 26/06/2022 14:30, Daniel wrote:
> Hi Martin, I have a Hobby 88 thats only producing 20 bar pressure. Did
> you take photos of the pump with the casing split open as I will be very
> interested to see what the innards look like.. Thanks
>

17 years later, .....

Brian Gaff

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Jun 27, 2022, 4:19:40 AM6/27/22
to
Yes it will be in landfill by now.
Brian

--

--:
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...
bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Andrew" <Andrew9...@mybtinternet.com> wrote in message
news:t99pu4$1p2g$1...@gioia.aioe.org...

Peeler

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Jun 27, 2022, 5:16:18 AM6/27/22
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On Mon, 27 Jun 2022 09:19:34 +0100, Brainless & Daft, the notorious,
troll-feeding senile idiot, blathered again:

> Yes it will be in landfill by now.
> Brainless & Daft

More brainless & daft senile shit (as per usual) from the resident senile
"blind" mole!
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