On a ControlMax HEA sprayer, an uneven pattern usually means a worn or clogged tip. Spitting points to a blocked filter. Failure to prime points to the inlet valve, inlet filter or suction tube, and pressure loss to a worn tip first, then the inlet or outlet valve. Leaks come from the tip seat, hoses or return tube. Check those in that order.
Start with the symptom table
Most ControlMax problems are not pump problems. Work down the table, spend nothing on the first check, and open the fluid section only once the checks above it have failed. The part numbers are from the site's ControlMax diagrams, and cart models (1700 Pro and 1900 Pro) and stand models (1500 and 1700) do not list quite the same parts.
ControlMax HEA symptoms and what to check
| Symptom | First check | Parts if the check fails |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven or streaky pattern | Clean the tip, or replace it if worn | Tips 353-515, 353-517, 353-413, 353-619 |
| Spitting or pulsing | Gun, swivel and inlet filters | 353-705 swivel filter, 0580155 inlet filter |
| Will not prime | Clean the inlet valve, check the inlet filter and suction tube | 580154 filter housing, 0580159A suction tube, 580395 prime valve kit |
| Loses pressure | Worn tip, then the inlet and outlet valves | 0580391 inlet valve kit, 0580072A outlet valve, 0580393 or 0580493 (cart) |
| Leaks | Tip seat, hose, return tube fittings | 661-020 tip seat kit, 353-706 hose, 9885553 fitting, 0580208 return tube |
Relieve pressure with the PRIME/SPRAY valve per your manual first. See the injection warning below.
Start with the tip
A streaky or uneven pattern is a tip problem until proved otherwise. A worn tip has a wider orifice, so pressure falls, the pattern turns coarse and more paint is used. Clean the tip first, and replace it when cleaning does not restore the pattern.
HEA tips are meant to run at roughly half the pressure of a traditional airless tip, according to Titan's ControlMax HEA site. So when you swap in an HEA tip, set the pressure for that tip and do not stay at the old setting. The site lists the 353-515, 353-517, 353-413 and 353-619 tips. Pick the one for the coating on the ControlMax HEA parts page and in your manual.
Spitting or pulsing: filters
Partly blocked filters cause pressure loss, pulsing and spitting. A ControlMax has them at the gun, at the swivel and at the inlet. Clean each after every job. The 353-705 swivel filter is on the spray gun side and the 0580155 inlet filter is on the suction set. See the spray gun page and the suction set page.
Won't prime
The ControlMax manual says to clean the inlet valve when the pump will not prime or loses pressure. Do that before you buy. Beyond the valve, look at what feeds it. The 580154 inlet filter housing and the 0580159A suction tube assembly are on the suction set page, and the 580395 prime valve kit is on the cart-model main assembly page. Stand and cart models differ here, so open the right page: cart models or stand models.
Pressure loss
Work in this order. First, the tip, because a worn tip is the most common reason pressure falls. Second, the 0580391 inlet valve kit and the 0580072A outlet valve assembly, which both models list. Third, on the cart models, the 0580393 piston/seal assembly or the 0580493 fluid section assembly. Titan says the fluid section is replaceable and rebuildable, but we do not describe the steps. Confirm what you need with our parts team.
Leaks
Find where the paint comes from before you order anything. At the tip, it is the 661-020 tip seat and seal kit, which comes as a 5 pack. At the hose, it is the 353-706 hose. On the return side, check the 9885553 return tube fitting and the 0580208 return tube on cart models.
Storage mistakes that cause the next problem
Latex left to dry in the pump and gun is the usual cause of a sprayer that will not prime the next time. The manual's routine for short-term storage with latex is to pump water mixed with 314-482 Liquid Shield through the system. For long-term storage it has a few drops of 314-480 Piston Lube or light household oil go into the gun housing. For oil-based coatings it uses mineral spirits and then soapy water.
ControlMax HEA parts to match the table above:
The Short Version
Tip first, filters second, inlet valve third, then the fluid section. Latex left to dry causes most repeat problems, so flush after every job.
Not sure which ControlMax part you need?
Call (713) 931-0006 with your model and serial number and our parts team will confirm the part before you order.
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