Fixing A Tipped Pressure Washer

It's time to use your brand new Mi-T-M pressure washer! You've read the manual, and you're ready to start using it. As you attempt to start your pressure washer by pulling out the engine recoil rope, it only pulls out a short distance, and then will not pull out any further.

Unfortunately, the unit may have been tipped over in shipping, and oil got into the cylinder area. This video will show you how to remove the air filter and spark plug, so the oil can be pushed out of the cylinder area.

Before You Start → You'll Need These Tools

Since oil may stream out of the engine, it is recommended that this procedure be performed on a covered area, for ease of cleanup.

  • Tarp/Cardboard
  • 10 Millimeter Wrench
  • Ratchet
  • Spark Plug Socket (3/8 Extension)
  • Cloth for Wiping up Oil
  • Container for Excess Oil
  • Gasoline/Carburetor Cleaner
  • Extra Oil
tools you need

Air Filter → Locate and Remove

  1. Locate and remove the air filter cover wing nut.
  2. Pull off the air filter cover.
  3. Remove the air filter steel wing nut and the air filter assembly.
Locate and Remove Air Filter

Inspection → Separate and Check for Oil

  1. Separate the 2 parts, and inspect the foam filter for oil saturation. (A light oil film is normal.)
  2. Inspect the pleated filter for oil - there should not be oil on the pleated filter.
    Inspect the pleated filter for oil - there should not be oil on the pleated filter.

Disassembly and Repair → Drain and Check All Areas

  1. Make sure the gas lever is in the off position.
    Lever is off
  2. Remove the drain plug of the carburetor bowl with the 10-millimeter wrench.
  3. Drain any oil that may be in the bowl into a container.
    Remove drain plug and Drain oil into container
  4. Open the gas lever to allow some gas to flush the bowl clean.
  5. Turn the gas lever off, and install the carburetor drain plug.
    Turn Gas lever off
    drain excess into container
  6. Remove the spark plug cap and remove the spark plug by turning the ratchet counterclockwise
    Remove Spark Plug Cap
  7. Place a cloth covering over the spark plug port, since some oil may come out.
    Place cloth covering spark plug to prevent oil spillage
  8. Slowly pull 2-3 times on engine recoil rope
  9. Continue by pulling recoil rope 15-20 times as fast as possible - be aware that a stream of oil may come shooting out of the spark plug port.
    Pull recoil rope 2-3 times slowly and 15-20 times as fast as possible
  10. Inspect the tip of the spark plug for oil residue
  11. Clean it with gasoline or carburetor cleaner
    Inspect spark plug and clean if necessary.
  12. Re-install the spark plug by threading the spark plug by hand, or with a socket on a 3/8 extension, making sure not to cross thread and tighten until snug with the ratchet.
  13. Push the spark plug cap straight onto the spark plug until it snaps completely onto the spark plug.
    Re-install spark plug after push cap straight on to the spark plug until it snaps on to plug.

Check Oil Levels → Engine and Pump Oils must be full

  1. Check the engine oil level, making sure it is to FULL mark on the dipstick
    Check the engine oil level, making sure it is to <strong>FULL</strong> mark on the dipstick
  2. Some pump oil may have also been lost, so check the level, and add oil to the correct level, if necessary, according to your manual.
    Some pump oil may have also been lost, so check the level, and add oil to the correct level, if necessary, according to your manual.

It’s Time to Start it Up → Without the Air Filter Assembly on the Engine

  1. Move the throttle lever to the FULL throttle position, and move the choke lever to the CHOKE position.
  2. Turn the gas lever to the ON position, and turn the on/off switch to the ON position.
    Turn gas lever and on/off switch to ON position
  3. Connect the garden and high-pressure hoses to the pump and turn the water on.
    Connect garden and high-pressure hoses to pump and turn water on.
  4. Pull the engine recoil rope to start the engine.
  5. If the engine starts or fires, slowly move the choke lever to the OFF position.
  6. If the engine does not start after 2-3 pulls, move the choke lever to OFF and continue pulling the recoil rope until it starts.
    If the engine does not start after 2-3 pulls, move the choke lever to <strong>OFF</strong> and continue pulling the recoil rope until it starts.
  7. When the engine starts, let it run for approximately one minute.
  8. If the engine smokes out of the muffler, this is normal and should quit after 1-2 minutes.
    If the engine smokes out of the muffler, this is normal and should quit after 1-2 minutes.
  9. Turn the engine off. Clean the air filter base, reassemble the air filter, and place it back in position.
    Turn the engine off. Clean the air filter base, reassemble the air filter, and place it back in position.
  10. Replace the air filter wing nut.
    Replace the air filter wing nut.
  11. Place the air filter cover and the wing nut over the top of the air filter assembly.
  12. Make sure the base housing is centered so the cover fits properly, and tighten the wing nut.
    Make sure the base housing is centered so the cover fits properly, and tighten the wing nut.
  13. If the unit does not start after re-installing the original air filter assembly, you will need to replace it with a new air filter assembly.

Need Help?

Contact Mi-T-M if you're having issues with your pressure washer. You can also find a service center near you. You can count on our authorized service centers for Mi-T-M equipment maintenance and repair when you need it.