Engine Degreasing Wand

[rcecale]

Picked up a degreasing wand and wanted to try using it to clean some of the harder to reach areas. Didn't want to use my pressure washer so I got this thing instead.

For some reason though, the thing doesn't seem to want to work right. Am I doing something wrong?

I've started with about 60 psi and the siphon hose set inside a bucket of soapy water. Nothing but air coming out of the wand.

Figured 60 psi wasn't creating enough of a draw, so I've gradually increased psi to 90, and still no flow.

I've adjusted the mixtures screw, both in and out, but have not been able to get anything but air to come out of the wand.

Any ideas? There were no instructions that came with the thing...

Randy

[Jandrews]

Randy,

Does it need to be primed somehow? Sounds to me like it is sucking air, but I just don't know enough about those things to know how it is supposed to work. Do you have some pics you can post?

JA

[rcecale]

It seems like a simple enough tool. Hook up the compressed air, place the siphon hose in the bucket, pull the trigger and off you go...but unfortunately...no go!



Randy

[trconway]

Nice idea. Once you get it to work should save time. Where did you buy it?

[ossiblue]

Just a thought, could the siphon opening inside the gun housing be clogged? Can you blow through the siphon hose and feel/hear air coming out the gun? What happens when you blow through the siphon hose and turn the adjusting screws? Any changes?

This seems a puzzle because the physics is basic--same principle as a spray gun, lawn fertilizer, etc. If it was me, I'd have the whole thing disassembled by now, and have lost some important part.
Good luck.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

It's simply a huge Paasche (or Iwata, or Badger...) airbrush--sprays soapy water instead of paint. Doesn't need to be primed, you're doing everything right, something's clogged or mechanically wrong.

[cab83_750]

I have the same unit from Home Depot. No issues with siphoning or priming on mine.

Something must be wrong with yours.

[rcecale]

I picked this thing up from Home Depot a while ago. I actually bought it to use on my deck furniture. I think I paid $10 or so for it. Figured some bleach/water mixture, sprayed onto the White PVC would make short work of the task.

We used to use a similar sprayer to clean certain parts of aircraft while I was in the Marine Corps.

Anyway, I did take the thing apart as much as possible. I removed the Mixture Control Screw and disconnected the Siphon Hose. I was able to see clearly through from the hose barb, out the screw orifice...no clog there.

Next, I blew through the Siphon Hose and found that, while I was able to blow though it, it seemed a little restricted. It took a little force to blow though it. From the way it was packaged, there were a few kinks in the hose that may have caused enough restriction to the air-flow to prevent siphoning.

I think I'm going to try replacing the hose and see what happens.

Thanks for the ideas, I'll let you know how it works out.

Randy

[mthomas58]

I had a similar problem with a sandblaster. Problem was my 4 gal shop compressor did not move enough CFM. Just a thought.