My pre soak soap is just spitting air.

[Rookie68]

I’m learning here.
Why are there 2 sets of valves ?
I assume we are mixing the air with product.
I bought this bad boy to replace the old one.
Am I on the right track or what else should I look at ?
Any tips on replacing the manifold and valves ?

 

[Randy]

If it's just spitting out air you've probably got a problem with the pump itself or your chemical concentration isn't high enough. It looks like you've got water in your tank

 

[Rookie68]

Interesting. So I have a large air compressor but only 1 flo jet hooked up. I believe they were waiting on these pumps to die before swapping em out for the flojets. Pros and cons of going with the flo jets vs what they have here ?
When I pull in the chain I see chemical and water go into the tank l, but only air comes out the wand. I like the idea of getting rid of the clutter that the pump and extra air tank add to the room.

 

[Keno]

What kind of pump is pushing your presoak to the bay? I didn't see it in any of your pictures, just the hydrominder to mix the chemical.

 

[Keno]

You need air for a self serve car wash to run flojets and mix with chemical to create foam

 

[Roz]

Your air gauge appears to read zero. Product value needs to be above air value. Often I use 30-70 psi for product depending on the product and 20-40 for air. Definitely need air to be above product value by 15-20 psi.

 

[Rookie68]

My mistake thought it was in the pic. It’s just a lil 1/2 or 3/4 hp electric motor with a pro on pump attached to it.

 

[Randy]

Is the motor coming on? If it is you've got a bad Procon pump head.

 

[MEP001]

Pour some soap in the "tank" and see if it quits sputtering. It looks like there isn't enough chemical.

 

[Rookie68]

Your air gauge appears to read zero. Product value needs to be above air value. Often I use 30-70 psi for product depending on the product and 20-40 for air. Definitely need air to be above product value by 15-20 psi.

yes. you are correct. I noticed this as well. Thank You.

 

[Rookie68]

Pour some soap in the "tank" and see if it quits sputtering. It looks like there isn't enough chemical.

Yeah. When I pull the ball chain the tub fills up with chemical and water. So at least that part is working.

 

[Rookie68]

If it's just spitting out air you've probably got a problem with the pump itself or your chemical concentration isn't high enough. It looks like you've got water in your tank

Yes. Consensus seems to be the pump and or motor that turns pump.
Thank You Sir.

 

[MEP001]

Yeah. When I pull the ball chain the tub fills up with chemical and water. So at least that part is working.

But the stuff in the tank looks like nothing but water. Try pouring some presoak into the tank, and if it works better you know you need to work on the Hydrominder.

 

[OurTown]

Looking at your chemical pick up hose going to your drum your foot valve may have failed. Also you need a siphon break hole in the Hydrominder discharge tube although it will make a mess with that shallow of a tank.

 

[Rookie68]

Hydrominder is working.
Replaced foot valve, no change.
Disconnected tank and drained it.
Tested again… same thing. It works for maybe 30 seconds then just air. And yet the gauge reads zero air pressure. I’m going to be a damn good plumber before I die. But still stumped here.

 

[Randy]

Hydrominder is working.
Replaced foot valve, no change.
Disconnected tank and drained it.
Tested again… same thing. It works for maybe 30 seconds then just air. And yet the gauge reads zero air pressure. I’m going to be a damn good plumber before I die. But still stumped here.

What color tip do you have in the Hydrominder?
It looks like your using a electric Procon pump, is it coming on?

 

[Martins]

Ahhh this all sounds so familiar (https://www.carwashforum.com/threads/chasing-gremlins-need-your-thoughts-please.20837/#post-170026)

Here are some quick thoughts and if you read the thread i linked you may find some of the same issues. Sadly my presoak is chem only however i was having a "dead heading" issue on the product side. it would work then just stop. few questions (sorry if you already answered)

When the product stops is the product pump still pumping?
have you pulled the product line from the sel when it stops flowing? making sure product is coming out of the sel.
your new sel block did you replace the product side or the air side.
have you checked that your getting signal to both air and prod sels when called? and when it stops working.

Long story short what i would do is for sure swap your air sel block for your new one (or a new one the rust can be an issue) and i can see the corrosion on the wiring connection points very Cleary. this can cause intermittent connection issues in the sel's and also short out your jumped common. (this was my issue) the wiring was broken inside itself from corrosion and causing the common to short it self causing the sel so stick open/closed, so the pump would run however the sel wasn't open. or was open jusstttttt enough to let some fluid pass through to keep the pump running after it was shut off.

also test your wires, if not just replacing the connections. look for continuity issues to rule out that. start with a new sel bank and see if that helps.

 

[Rookie68]

What color tip do you have in the Hydrominder?
It looks like your using a electric Procon pump, is it coming on?

Blue tip on foot valve.
Pump comes on to get up to pressure but never again.
So I am pretty sure its the solenoids.
Gotta get that baby replaced.
Working on gathering all the parts as I dont want to use those old crusty connectors.
Also scared to death of the wiring as the new Solenoids are not identical to old Ginsan ones.

 

[Randy]

I was talking about what color tip you have installed in the Hydrominder, I see what looks like an Orange tip screwed into the Hydrominder. I think you have a pump problem. Before you rip out and replace the solenoid valves. Disconnect the discharge hose from the pump, put a short hose into the discharge of the pump, put the hose in a bucket and then start the bay and see if fluid comes out of the pump, it should spray hard. If the pump motor runs and no fluid comes out of the pump, guess what you have a bad pump.

 

[MEP001]

So I am pretty sure its the solenoids.

Nope.