You can clean just about anything, as long as you know what soap to use for your pressure washer.
However, suppose your pressure washer soap injector stops working.
In that case, it can be pretty stressful because two things are happening: you aren’t maximizing this feature, and some stains won’t entirely be removed.
Don’t fret, though. We’ve created this article to help you get that soap injector fixed so you can get back to work.
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Fixing a soap injector in 4 steps
If you want to skip the lengthy part of this article, we’ve summarized all the steps you need.
Here’s how to fix your pressure washer soap injector:
- First, check that the nozzle you are using is for soap application. You might laugh, but this is sometimes the root of the issue.
- Next, look to see if the nozzle or valve is clogged.
- Then, check to see if the pressure at your inlet is high enough.
- Finally, if all previous steps come up short, start testing other parts one at a time to locate the source of the problem.
If you need help on what to check and which nozzle or parts to replace, we recommend reading the full article for a step-by-step guide.
Quick questions before starting
We’ve compiled a list of questions to help give you an idea of how much work is involved.
How difficult is this to do? The repair is easy once you’ve identified the source of the problem.
How long does it take? You can do this in approximately 10 minutes.
How much do materials cost?
- Chemical Filter: $6 to $8
- Chemical Injector Kit: $11 to $20.
- Black soap nozzle: It is normally included with your unit, but if it breaks, you can replace it for around $10.
Items needed to fix a soap injector
We’ve quickly touched on the difficulty, time, and materials required to fix your soap injector. We’ll explain each of these items if you’re unfamiliar with them.
- Black nozzle: Every pressure washer comes equipped with a black nozzle when you buy one. It will cost you about $10 for a new one. If yours is faulty and keeps you from drawing out soap, you’ll need to replace it.
- Chemical filter: This is an optional but beneficial item you can add so that dirt particles don’t get into your siphon tube and cause clogging, which would stop the soap from coming up. One costs between $6 and $8.
- Chemical injector kit: This kit has a chemical injector, ball bearings, springs, and O-rings. If these parts are worn out after troubleshooting and may be clogged, you can replace them for $11 to $20.
Knowing other parts is essential because a bigger problem in the system could cause a broken soap injector.
Continue reading for a more in-depth explanation of each step mentioned above.
How to fix a pressure washer soap injector
Before you go out and buy replacement parts, do a full sweep of your pressure washer.
You’ll never know if you’re using the wrong nozzle or if it simply needs cleaning.
Here are all of the possible reasons why your pressure washer soap isn’t working:
1. Confirm that the nozzle you are using is for soap application
You may be using 0 or 15-degree nozzles, which aren’t compatible with the soap injector, as it only works when low-pressure is used.
Some use the low-pressure 40-degree nozzle, but the black soap nozzle is made for soap application, so it’s good practice always to use this.
2. Look to see if the nozzle or valve is clogged
Dirt and debris may have clogged the nozzle or valve.
Find the affected area by checking the nozzle, valve, or tube. Cleaning the area could fix your soap injector. A mesh filter will help prevent any blockages caused by dirt or debris.
3. Check if the inlet pressure is high enough
The water pressure entering your inlet hose may not be high enough, similar to the nozzle problem.
You can adjust the water pressure, and perhaps your soap injector will release detergent.
We recommend this video for a visual aid.
4. Find out which parts are broken or worn out
Blockages aren’t always caused by dirt; it’s possible that some parts of your pressure washer have worn out and need to be replaced.
First, check if the chemicals are drawn out by removing the hose from the pump. If it is, you may need to replace the chemical injector kit.
If this does not work, there may be a bigger issue in the system causing the soap injector to fail.
While the engine is still running, remove other parts until detergent comes out. Then, one by one, add all the removed parts, such as the soap injector, nozzle, valve, and other components, to determine which part is causing the problem.
Safety considerations
Here are some safety considerations to remember while working on your soap injector.
Work on this outside
Managing the repair outside prevents you from damaging surfaces inside your home with soaps and chemicals.
Wear proper clothing
You don’t want the cleaning solution to come into contact with your eyes or body, so always wear protective gear when working on your pressure washer.
Always point your wand at a safe area
As with the first safety tip, avoid pointing your wand at other people, animals, or plants because the soap or chemical ingredients may be toxic.
Frequently asked questions
The following are some frequently asked questions homeowners have about soap injectors.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact us and someone from our team will be happy to get back to you.
How does a pressure washer soap injector work?
Soap is sucked out of its container by suction when the soap injector restricts the water flow through the nozzle, lowering the water pressure.
What’s the difference between a chemical injector and a soap injector?
There isn’t much difference between them; chemicals or soap, or a combination of both, are sometimes added to detergent tanks, and they can be referred to as chemical or soap injectors depending on how they are used.
Conclusion
When your pressure washer soap injector fails, there are four possible causes: the nozzle you’re using, dirt-filled blocked parts; faulty and worn-out parts; or too much pressure from the water supply.
If you know how to maintain and inspect these safely, you’ll always be able to fix it.
Nonetheless, you can always get back to basics and learn how to use soap with a pressure washer.
Thanks for reading!
