Oil for my pressure washer

[seven_magnum]

I need some help picking oil for the pressure washer I bought at a public auction. Its a 13hp, 4gpm 3500 psi Karcher with a Honda engine. It doesn't appear to have been used hard, but I want to change the oil in it to be safe

It did not come with any manuals so Im not sure what it should have in it, but I am also going to add a twist- I'm going to be using it to power an at home snow maker. Because of this, it's going to be running for up to 8 hours strait in weather as cold a -10 degrees f. What oils do you think would be the best for this application? (engine and pump) Also, what would be the best for the summer months as a car washer? I thank you for your time!

 

[Tom NJ]

Best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. To get the owner's manual, go to this site, then click on Product Manuals.

http://www.honda-engines.com/engines/gx390.htm#

Tom NJ

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: seven_magnum
I need some help picking oil for the pressure washer I bought at a public auction. Its a 13hp, 4gpm 3500 psi Karcher with a Honda engine. It doesn't appear to have been used hard, but I want to change the oil in it to be safe

It did not come with any manuals so Im not sure what it should have in it, but I am also going to add a twist- I'm going to be using it to power an at home snow maker. Because of this, it's going to be running for up to 8 hours strait in weather as cold a -10 degrees f. What oils do you think would be the best for this application? (engine and pump) Also, what would be the best for the summer months as a car washer? I thank you for your time!


Mine calls for a 5W30, I run 5W30 PP in it. You can use a 0W30 as well, I run that in the snowblower. Make sure you use a pump oil for it or a 30 grade non detergent oil if you decide to service the pump.

Since yours is going to be used in hot as well as cold I would use a 0W30 oil in it year round, although any 5w30 conventional or synthetic will serve you well. HTH

 

[Craig in Canada]

Although the application is used in the winter, the OP states it will be used for 8h straight in the winter. Once the engine is warm, it is up to temp regardless of winter or not. Also, at 8h per day, he's going to need an OC every week. I don't think that's a reason to waste fancy 0W synthetics that the OPE might shear or dilute to death.

While GC would probably be up to the task (I use it in my snowblower), with relatively little cold start operation compared to the time it is running, I would probably go with a 5W40 syn or syn blend HDEO from Walmart, if it were mine.

You will need to be very sure that the pump is in good shape and the pump case isn't taking on water. You'll suddenly find that the pump is full to the top of slurry soup halfway through your 8h run time.

Also, I'm not sure if anything from Karcher is intended for 100% continuous duty like you plan to use it. I don't know anything about home snow making, but consider running well under max pressure setting on the pump, and don't dilly-dally on the unloader circuit any longer than necessary. If the pump is non-serviceable, you may run it into the ground in short order - as long as you're prepared for that.

 

[roadrunner1]

most power washer pumps call for hydralic fluid, not motor oil

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: roadrunner1
most power washer pumps call for hydralic fluid, not motor oil


If that was directed at me, my comments on choices were all about the oil for the engine.

If the pump in question is even serviceable, many call for a non-detergent 30 weight. There may be hydraulic or compressor oils in various synthetic product lineups that may also fit the bill.

If it's taking on any amount of water, however, a fancy-pants synthetic pump oil would probably be a waste since it will be replaced so often to purge the water.

 

[lexus114]

I use the Briggs & Straton Synthetic pump oil from Lowes.It works great in my [censored] Faip one season wonder pump.I think its the only thing that has kept that pump going.

 

[roadrunner1]

the op was looking for recomendations for both engine & pump, i didn't want to confuse him.
as far as engine oil i use either 5w30 or 10w30 jd turfguard depending on operating temps of course, and my powerwasher pump calls for jd hyguard hydraulic fluid which is about 30wt (58 cst)