Prochem Apex

I have a cleaner running a Prochem Apex that has an issue that Interlink can't seem to correct. The machine runs great and then for no reason will just shut off. It always re-starts right away, but will shut off again at some point.

He has gone hours without a problem and he has days where it happens every 10-15 minutes. Needless to say, he has replaced a lot parts in hopes of finding the problem, but it hasn't happened yet.

The machine has 3200 hours on it, so it isn't over-the-hill just yet.

The latest conclusion by the tech was that the fuel tap was the issue. More specific, the fuel pump is located too far from the fuel tap and would need relocated closer to the tank.

I suspect that isn't the case.....he is at the point of wanting to replace the machine now, but they will only give him $4000 for his Prochem so he is not happy.

I am not that familiar with that machine, so I don't have any good answers other than guessing some kind of bad ignition module or pump relay.

Any guesses?

Couple things I can think of besides what you've already mentioned.
An electrical wire shorting out..............
Maybe the ones going to the waste tank float shut off switch.

Eng oil level switch going bad, or a loose wire to it.

I thought vapor lock at first but I doubt it would fire right back up if that was the case.

Fuel pump going out maybe.

Another unneeded BS PC safety feature failing. lol

It would help if he was mechanically inclined and could do a little trouble shooting/process of elimination when the prob happens. To at least narrow it down to a fuel or electrical problem...

BTW the fuel tap/pump prob would be easy enough to test to see if it's the problem..........buy a $20 fuel pump at napa, get a gas can to feed from and go to work, then if it doesn't happen, he's narrowed it down to a tap or pump prob. Got to start going threw that process of elim.

with having only read the first parts my first thought was fuel starvation.

we had issues with getting the fuel pump in the right place on the Relia-Built, it would prime and run fine then shut off after a bit when it couldnt pull fuel well enough.


at the same time I have no idea how many sensors, computers, and other useless stuff that machine has so really cant say.


If its a judson or simple type machine I could tell you the problem in about 10 minutes of looking at it most likely.


If it was something like overheating and shutting off Im sure they would have found the problem so I would say that its very possible the fuel tap or fuel pump is having an issue. Have they pulled the fuel tap and looked at it?

What are the parts that he had replaced ? It could be fuel related, it also could be oxygen sensor on it's way out ?
I'm sure he had read the computer code when it shuts off, what did the code say ? It usually will say if it's fuel related or heat related, etc.

I had a similar condition with my kohlor. Can't remember the name of the part. I think it was a coil.?
There are 2 and one was bad.
Couldn't keep it running. Run for abit, then just stopped.

All good suggestions....I will relay them on.

I know he has had the nearly the entire fuel induction system replaced in the last 6 months after they gave up trying to figure it out.....great mechanic, couldn't find out so he replaced everything.

He is actually thinking about switching to a direct drive out of frustration.

Have him check his fresh water temperature too when the unit is shutting down, if the bypass doesn't work, the hot water temperature sensor would shut the unit down.

Will do.....I just find it odd that it will start right back up every time.

Now that I remember; it would act like the choke was pulled. Cough and sputter was what it started to do.

My old powermatic would do that but only in the hot summer months so I put an air mover in the van and pointed it at the machine.

When the weather was cool to cold it would never happen but as soon as it got hot in may/june the van would die on a job and I would remember "oh yeah time to hook up the air mover."

Look at the fuel pump it should be mounted in a straight up and down or 45 degree angle. Side to side will shorten the life of the pump. I have had several with this issue over the years. Fuel is the coolant for the pump side to side leaves a small air pocket inside at the diaphragm over time that spot wears and the pump want work properly then it loose prime gets hot cuts off, then cools off comes on and because there is no engine using fuel it primes itself and the process starts again. If it is side to side take on screw out of the pump mount and turn the pump so the outlet is pointed towards the unit at at least a 45 degree angle and try running and see if it runs longer if so that maybe the problem. It may stay running period if it does just know that the pump may be damaged internally and will stop at some point.

Now you tell me Ace....I mounted my pump on the TNT project horizontal.

Good information gang...hope it helps him out.

I'd check the fuel pump flow rate. It's possible the fuel filter is restricted. Have him disconnect the fuel line and run the fuel into a graduated container. He can also put his finger over the end and see if the flow is restricted. If it squirts hard move on. However my dad was a mechanic and would always suspect the electrical system first.

I had the same Father Rainbow and he always started with the electrical system as well. Must be the way it was taught back then.

Over looking the obvious!...its an employee playin games with him!....typical carpet cleaner gag!

Seriously though, I thought coil....10 to 1 its a safety feature malfunction.