Common Pressure-Washer Parts To Fix "Leaks Water"
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Inlet Seal
The inlet seals function is to seal the water intake inlet. When a hose is attached, it is screwed into the inlet coupling which holds the hose firmly and seals the connection so water does not leak out. Over time, this coupling (and the seal inside of it) can wear or break. If your power washer leaks water from the connection between the hose and inlet, the seal and possibly the coupling on the inlet are likely broken and will need to be replaced. This seal and coupling should be fairly easy to remove and replace.
Piston Seals
If your power washer is leaking water directly from the pump, and there is no noticeable damage (such as a crack) on the pump, it is likely that the internal piston seals are worn or broken. The pump has pistons inside of it that create pressure to pull the water from the intake and force it out of the nozzle. These pistons must remain sealed in order for the pump to properly pressurize the water. A leaking pump suggests that one or more of the seals on each piston has broken or worn and is letting water escape. If this is the case, remove the pump from its housing and open it to inspect the pistons and o-rings that seal the pistons inside. If any o-rings are broken, worn, or out of place, they should be replaced with new ones or fit back into place if they are in good condition.
Pump
The pump on a power washer can crack open if water is left inside of it and freezes. The frozen water expands and causes damage to the pump, compromising its seal and ability to pressurize the water. If the pump on your washer is noticeably cracked, it will need to be replaced. A cracked pump should be replaced rather than repaired.
Outlet Seal
The outlet seal seals the connection from the pump to the high-pressure hose, which sends water to the trigger wand. If the outlet seal is broken, you will likely notice water leaking directly from its connection to the hose. If the outlet coupling is cracked or broken, replace the entire coupling. If the coupling is in tact, replacing the o-ring inside of it should fix the problem. Installing a new o-ring is a very simple and cheap repair.
Thermal Release Valve
The thermal release valve keeps the water in the pump within a safe temperature range to prevent overheating, which can be caused by the recirculating water within the pump system. When the washer is not spraying water, it is recirculated within the pump system to keep it under pressure, which also causes the water to heat up. If the water inside of the pump is allowed to become too hot, it can compromise the seals inside of the pump and cause serious damage. Most power washers are equipped with a thermal release valve at the bottom of the pump system, which is designed to expel water from the pump system when it becomes too hot. If the thermal release valves’ seal is compromised, it may continuously leak water and cause the washer to lose pressure. The thermal release valve is a fairly cheap component, and can be easily replaced by unscrewing the old valve, and screwing in a new one. The seal on the thermal release valve, like most seals on the pump, will wear with regular use.
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