Flo jet pumps randomly pumping

[aca carwash 2]

In the process of tuning up an older wash I have replaced several flo jet pumps and old regulators. I have noticed that a few of the flo jet pumps periodically pump when the wash isn't even being used. Is this related to an air or chemical leak?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

It's most likely a leaking solenoid valve in the delivery to one of the bays. One bay might be giving a big burst of chemical when it first turns on. I would begin my search there. On a side note, a solenoid on the air supply to the Flojets minimizes the effects of a leaky solenoid to where it really isn't an issue at all. There are also other benefits to shutting off the air.

 

[2Biz]

I had this happen last week with PS. It is delivered through the HP gun so it was easy to find. The flojet was cycling about once ever 5 minutes or so. (Like IB says) I went bay to bay and sure enough, one bay gave a burst of PS when started, so it was easy to find the culprit. Come to find out, it wasn't a bad solenoid, but a sliver of "Something" between the seat and plunger.

If its your FB system causing problems, you may have to pull lines to see which solenoid is leaking by. Unless its bad enough to push liquid all the way out to the FB.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

+1, leaking solenoid.
On that subject, if anybody has a spare roundtoit I need one... adding that solenoid to the flojet air supply really is one of those little things...

 

[MEP001]

+1, leaking solenoid.
On that subject, if anybody has a spare roundtoit I need one... adding that solenoid to the flojet air supply really is one of those little things...

Order a bunch of expensive parts right now to do it. That usually gets me to complete a project.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Order a bunch of expensive parts right now to do it. That usually gets me to complete a project.

That's not a guarantee. I do that and leave them laying around until I forget I bought them, or just can't find them, and then order them again. In the case of not finding them, they always turn up the day the replacements show up.

 

[Stuart]

I have found it to be the plunger in the solenoid valve. The existing plunger looks perfect but when it is replaced the problem disappears.
On a related side note I have had situations of lower than normal air or liquid output in a single bay. I found the culprit in my tubing and connectors in the trough. They have developed a slow leak which was difficult to track down.

 

[aca carwash 2]

There is no round solenoid on the foam brush. I opened a round solenoid on a leaking pump on the tri gloss and found a piece of debri in it, removed it and it stopped the spermatic pumping. On the foam brush there is two block (I guess solenoids) one for air and one for chemical. Could it be one of them is bad or is it blocked upstairs somewhere? Incidentally I am getting foam brush leaking out of the brush in one of the bays. If it is the block solenoid, how can you tell which one is bad and can it be cleaned or should it just be replaced? It pumps once about every 45 seconds.

 

[cap732000]

I am currently in the process of rebuilding my second car wash and have had this problem many times and just like a couple of people have said on here it is really simply problem but sometimes not so simple to find. Simply put a flojet works by having resistance against the pump if anything leaks then it pumps which sounds like what you got going on. Boy it's frustrating though......

 

[aca carwash 2]

I guess the simplistic question is can the block solenoids be stopped up and how do you clean them?

 

[cap732000]

Well in my opinion get a rebuild kit I personally was have problems with little soap particles holding solenoid open just a bit but I cleaned with a multipurpose jet spray cleaner and just never had any luck getting them to completely seal right.

 

[MEP001]

The block solenoids are not much different from individual solenoids except that the parts are mounted on a machined block. They come apart the same, by removing the coil and the plunger/stem.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Make sure the coil does not get energized when it is off the stem.

Once you remove the coil the stem typicaly unscrews. Be careful not to lose the plunger and spring when you unscrew it.

HAve a spare handy just in case.

 

[aca carwash 2]

Thanks a million guys for your replies. I'm gonna pull this solenoid apart this morning. Would it be safe to say its the chemical solenoid and on the bay its leaking on?

 

[Randy]

If you have a problem with “Soap particles” in your system you’ve got a bigger problem, you shouldn’t have any soap particles at all. If you do you need to clean the entire system, install a 100 - 80 mesh strainer coming off the tank. You never want to use any spray chemical cleaners, Brake cleaner, Carburetor cleaner, Electrical contact cleaner on any of the plastics or rubber on car wash components, most aren’t compatible with plastics used.

 

[2Biz]

Would it be safe to say its the chemical solenoid and on the bay its leaking on?

That would be "Very Safe To Say"! You should only have one FB Soap solenoid for each bay...If you know which bay is leaking by, you've won 9/10's of the battle!

 

[cap732000]

Yes randy your dead on! I should have been more specific my soap particles was coming from when I was first trying to get the wash back online flushing the system and no petroleum based cleaners it just eats parts. Want to really go crazy get all the lines cleaned up replaced and run for a cpl of days and figure out they didn't drain water softener and it froze and broke the bladder whew that was brutal had to pull every single part part and clean.

 

[aca carwash 2]

So I disconnect the air solenoid to the foam brush completely to clean and the flo jet continues to pump every 45 seconds. I clean the air solenoid and put it back together (what exactly does this solenoid do anyway). Then I decide to replace the ck valve (between the chemical line and the chemical solenoid on the outgoing line leaving the flo jet pump). Now I have no foam brush product at all going to either bay, just air......any suggestions? I'm at my wits end, the hardest part is when this self serve bench was installed all these pumps and regulators are 6" from the wall and I can't even get to them.

 

[2Biz]

Pictures of your setup would make it easier for us to diagnose. Sounds like you put the check valve in backwards. The air solenoid on your FB system mixes air with the FB soap to make it foam...

If your Flojet is cycling, your FB soap solenoid is leaking by, not the air solenoid....

 

[MEP001]

You probably put the check valve in backwards, or it's defective. Take it off - there's absolutely no reason for one to be there anyway.