What's new
Car Wash Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

No BUG Remover/Presoak/ Tire Cleaner getting to wand

Car Washer

Member
New car wash owner here...
I have a 5 bay that runs the presoak, bug remover, and tire cleaner as one chemical on 3 different switches in the bays. I am not getting any chemical at the wand on all three switches in one bay. I tried looking through other threads, but could not find this issue there. I did find that it is most likely a check valve and most likely above the boom. Would this be on the roof or in the bay?
 
Most likely its a problem with the chemical pump(s).
If they're air-powered - check the air supply.
If they're motorized - check for power to the motor.
 
Most likely its a problem with the chemical pump(s).
If they're air-powered - check the air supply.
If they're motorized - check for power to the motor.

Sorry... not sure I explained that right. I am getting HP Soap, Wax and HP Water to the wand. Just not BUG Remover/Presoak/Tire cleaner at low pressure (all the same chemical on 3 separate switches in the bay) to the wand.
 
Last edited:
If you have some pictures of your setup or tell us what brand of equipment your running it would help out tremendously.
 
It is the check valve located on top of the boom assembly in the attic or crawlspace. The check valve prevents the high pressure from going back through the lines and blowing something up. They sometimes fail in the blocked off position. You can thank me later.
 
It is the check valve located on top of the boom assembly in the attic or crawlspace. The check valve prevents the high pressure from going back through the lines and blowing something up. They sometimes fail in the blocked off position. You can thank me later.

Thanks! It started working again when the temperature went above freezing. Not sure that it was the freezing temps, but thankful it started working again. But I now have a similar problem. Ill keep the question here as it may be the same issue. Will post new question below...
 
New problem...similar to OP so Ill keep it here. I noticed while checking all the bays (SS) to make sure everything was working before heading home that the Foam Brush was not working in one bay. So I turned through all the positions to see if anything else was not working and the Bug Remover/Presoak/ Tire Cleaner (again all same product on different positions ) were all coming out at high pressure with no product. They are set to low pressure, but the psi is 2000+ instead of low pressure. HP Rinse worked as well as HP Soap. I looked over and realized the Foam Brush was Kinked. I unkinked it and it started working, but the Bug Remover/ Presoak/Tire Cleaner had no product and was still at 2000+ psi.

Would this still be a check valve issue?
 
Thanks! It started working again when the temperature went above freezing. Not sure that it was the freezing temps, but thankful it started working again. But I now have a similar problem. Ill keep the question here as it may be the same issue. Will post new question below...
You should find and replace the check valve anyway. The problem will almost certainly return.
 
New problem...similar to OP so Ill keep it here. I noticed while checking all the bays (SS) to make sure everything was working before heading home that the Foam Brush was not working in one bay. So I turned through all the positions to see if anything else was not working and the Bug Remover/Presoak/ Tire Cleaner (again all same product on different positions ) were all coming out at high pressure with no product. They are set to low pressure, but the psi is 2000+ instead of low pressure. HP Rinse worked as well as HP Soap. I looked over and realized the Foam Brush was Kinked. I unkinked it and it started working, but the Bug Remover/ Presoak/Tire Cleaner had no product and was still at 2000+ psi.

Would this still be a check valve issue?
No. Need more info about your equipment, but it could be anything from an electrical problem to a bad solenoid.
 
New problem...similar to OP so Ill keep it here. I noticed while checking all the bays (SS) to make sure everything was working before heading home that the Foam Brush was not working in one bay. So I turned through all the positions to see if anything else was not working and the Bug Remover/Presoak/ Tire Cleaner (again all same product on different positions ) were all coming out at high pressure with no product. They are set to low pressure, but the psi is 2000+ instead of low pressure. HP Rinse worked as well as HP Soap. I looked over and realized the Foam Brush was Kinked. I unkinked it and it started working, but the Bug Remover/ Presoak/Tire Cleaner had no product and was still at 2000+ psi.

Would this still be a check valve issue?

Can you post some pictures of your equipment room? Try to get us a picture of your pump stand, your low-pressure setup, tanks, and hose routing out of the control room. Most on here have enough experience to diagnose from the pictures and give you some items to check.
 
Back
Top