Pressure washer won't start once engine is hot

Does your engine have a choke? I would try that first. You might also remove the tip from the wand and clamp the trigger, allowing the water to flow freely. That should make restarting a bit easier.

Yes, releasing pressure in the gun is the most common reason people can't restart pressure washers. If you squeeze the gun to release the pressure, then go back and follow the starting procedure, it should start easily.

Model number is 580.752530.  No, it does not have a choke.  It is a fresh start or fast start, whatever it is called.

I release the pressure in the gun every time I try to start it. 

Any more ideas? 

Any chance the overspray is soaking the plug wire? Try keeping the machine "up wind" when in use.

I bought one of these and have the same problem, am taking it back.  Starts right up on the first pull when it is cold, but once you have to stop to add gas or move the hose, you have to wait until it completely cools down to get it started.  I released the hose pressure every time I pulled the cord, didn't help.  It is a great machine when it is going but if you can't get the job done on one tank of gas, you are going to be spending a lot of extra time waiting for it to cool down.  I have purchased many Sears products in the past and have been happy, but this machine gets a big thumbs down.

This may sound silly, but if your pressure washer has a "stop" switch, is it set to "stop" or "start?" The starting procedure for pressure washers has more steps than most people are used to, despite the engines being the same as those for lawnmowers, and many times a single step can be accidentally skipped, leading to frustration.

I released the hose pressure every time I pulled the cord, didn't help.

Yeah it did, otherwise you can't pull the cord. Same advice, try to keep the engine dry, not soaking wet with overspray.

I have the same problem and it is frustrating.  It's a brandy new machine. It ran out its first tank of gas.  Then it needed to rest. 

I'm not getting the machine wet.  I always stand between the machine and what I'm washing.  There is no spray (or VERY minimal spray) hitting the machine.

I am following the starting instructions. The only thing different about starting when hot and when cool is that it doesn't start before cooling down.  

There is no choke.  I do release wand pressure while attempting starts. There are no user controls other that letting it cool down.

Sounds like either a vapor locking problem, or coil overheating.  On a lawn tractor I bought a number of years ago I had to call repair as it was brand new and the problem was similar in not starting when hot.  The repairman after chaning the coil, that it was the 3rd one he had changed that month.  Seems they had a defective batch. 

Agree with adamsrib.  Sounds like a coil problem.  Recommend having the coil replaced under warranty.  Sometimes, these things just happen.

Is there a pressure washer made in the $300.00 to $600.00 range that works every time? What is the problem with these machines? sounds like a basic design problem that no one wants to address and fix. I beleive the answer is a honda engine and a cat pump? its all about quality and time proven products. You always get what you pay for! The bitterness of poor quality and service is remembered long after the sweetness of a cheap price and empty promises has been forgotten!!! Are their any manufacturers  ouy there who give a dam?

Try this solution.  After you shut it of, kink the low pressure water line and then start it.  Reduces the starting load.

Tom, you've entered the great abyss of pressure washers.  You can have an flavor, so long is is Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry.  Three major engines, Vanguard, Kohler, Honda.  Each of these universally mount to three or so major pump manufactures, GP, CAT, and Comet.  Nine permutations and this is about it.  Just decide what you wan to clean, because no one, does it all well.  On can do on job well.  Balance out GPM verses PSI for cleaning units..  The stating problems are pressure related.

Craftsman pressure washers are made by Briggs & Stratton, who makes more small engines than any other manufacturer for the American market, and the pumps are very high quality. Very few have problems, though user error is common, as pressure washers are usually not used very often, and have different starting and maintenance procedures. And, many either don't bother or don't know to use Pump Saver, which can help prevent the need to replace the pump prematurely. That doesn't mean there are no duds, as every mass produced product is guaranteed to have a few, but the vast majority work just fine when used according to instructions.

I have a Craftsman pressure washer, model 580.752212. Starts easily when cold, WILL NOT restart when hot. Called the Sears pressure washer hotline a couple of times - they denied there was a problem, but told me to try loosening the gas cap to restart. No joy. Likewise, releasing the pressure doesn't help. Hotline tech (actually someone at Briggs & Stratton) suggested I take it to a B&S service center for repair. Called the recommended service center - they very reluctantly said they'd "take a look" at it, but I really ought to bring it to Sears. Suggestions? Other than just returning the doggoned thing?

If it's less than a year old, it's still under manufacturer's warranty. And, if you have a protection agreement, it may still be covered.

Actually, the pressure washer has a "Full 2- Year Warranty" - says so rignt on the box and in the owner's manual. But I only bought it about 74 days ago. Since Sears has a "90 day return privilege" I figure I've still got around 2 weeks to return it . . . and that's just what I'll do if I don't get a good response from either Sears or Briggs, both of whom I've contacted via email.

Funny thing is, before Sears removed this unit from their on-line listing (along with all the customer reviews) another user evaluation reported that Briggs told him that they knew "the wrong jets" were in the carburetor; when I brought this up to the techs at the pressure washer hotline, they flatly denied that was a problem. Hmmmm . . .

The manual has a shutdown procedure of letting the engine idle for 2 minutes before turning off. Have you tried that?

This is starting to sound like a needle and seat problem in the carb.  Letting it idle for 2 minutes will cool off the engine somewhat and may solve the problem. (other than running out of fuel)  When its running its getting a constant flow of fuel when you shut it off the fuel inlet closes off to prevent flooding, the heat may be causing the needle to stay in the closed position until it cools.

Try putting a little fuel in the carb when this happens and see if it starts.  If it does this will eliminate the coil as a problem.

These no-choke, no-throttle, no-primer engines are really great.... when they start.