Pressure washer care

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Just bought a Generac 3100psi with triplex pump. I keep seeing these 'pump saver' products and was wondering if they should be used. What should i do before storage besides the obvious engine maintenance? Want this to last me 10 years of homeowner use at least
 
Originally Posted By: swirlparanoid
Just bought a Generac 3100psi with triplex pump. I keep seeing these 'pump saver' products and was wondering if they should be used. What should i do before storage besides the obvious engine maintenance? Want this to last me 10 years of homeowner use at least


Use the pump saver. It dissipates the water and lubricates the pump. Even makes the cheapos last longer.
 
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Originally Posted By: swirlparanoid
Just bought a Generac 3100psi with triplex pump. I keep seeing these 'pump saver' products and was wondering if they should be used. What should i do before storage besides the obvious engine maintenance? Want this to last me 10 years of homeowner use at least


Use the pump saver. It dissipates the water and lubricates the pump. Even makes the cheapos last longer.

+1
 
+1 A neighbor had a (formally) nice Honda powered PW he allowed to sit wet (pump not drained)..for years. Inside is now all corroded. If you have an air compressor, I'd blow all the water out of the pump that's possible.
 
Originally Posted By: Blueskies123
Stale gasoline will be your biggest problem


Not really.
With pressure washers the biggest reason they are scraped out is pump failure. I use a pump lube and anti freeze additive after every use of my washer.
 
It somewhat depends upon where the pressure washer is stored in the winter.

A lot of pressure washers are damaged because people take a break leaving the engine running. The water gets super hot and damages the pump.

The pump saver is pretty cheap, I would consider it but not 100% needed if its stored in a heated basement.

As with any OPE, you need to mind the E10 gas situation.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
It somewhat depends upon where the pressure washer is stored in the winter.

A lot of pressure washers are damaged because people take a break leaving the engine running. The water gets super hot and damages the pump.

The pump saver is pretty cheap, I would consider it but not 100% needed if its stored in a heated basement.

As with any OPE, you need to mind the E10 gas situation.


What the corrosion in the pump. It's more than an anti freeze. It also lubes the pump when in storage.
 
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: Donald
It somewhat depends upon where the pressure washer is stored in the winter.

A lot of pressure washers are damaged because people take a break leaving the engine running. The water gets super hot and damages the pump.

The pump saver is pretty cheap, I would consider it but not 100% needed if its stored in a heated basement.

As with any OPE, you need to mind the E10 gas situation.


What the corrosion in the pump. It's more than an anti freeze. It also lubes the pump when in storage.


I did not rule it out, just that its not 100% needed. I am not sure its going to make one of the cheap pumps in a HD or Lowes pressure washer last a long time. I used it in my hot/cold pressure washer that is too heavy to get into the basement for the pump. For the coil, I just used pink RV antifreeze.
 
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
+1 A neighbor had a (formally) nice Honda powered PW he allowed to sit wet (pump not drained)..for years. Inside is now all corroded. If you have an air compressor, I'd blow all the water out of the pump that's possible.


How do you drain the pump?

I have an old B&S PW but it has a new, very nice, CAT pump on it. I use the pump saver, but it the protectant seems to shoot out the pump the very moment it goes in--- like it's bypassing the internals. I'm not sure if that's right or not--- and I'm sure the innards are still containing water.

I don't have a manual for the pump mechanism that's installed. Is there usually a water drain?
 
Originally Posted By: meep
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
+1 A neighbor had a (formally) nice Honda powered PW he allowed to sit wet (pump not drained)..for years. Inside is now all corroded. If you have an air compressor, I'd blow all the water out of the pump that's possible.


How do you drain the pump?

I have an old B&S PW but it has a new, very nice, CAT pump on it. I use the pump saver, but it the protectant seems to shoot out the pump the very moment it goes in--- like it's bypassing the internals. I'm not sure if that's right or not--- and I'm sure the innards are still containing water.

I don't have a manual for the pump mechanism that's installed. Is there usually a water drain?

I'd disconnect the output hose to drain it. If you don't have an air compressor, cup your hands around the output of a leaf blower and shoot air into the hose (water in) fitting. Have someone spin the engine over with the plug wire pulled off to clear the pump.

I've also used propylene glycol before to rinse out a pump before storage. My neighbors pump corroded so bad internally the metal (corrosion) was flaking off, clogging up the small filter screen in the wand, greatly reducing the pressure.

Once corrosion begins, there's no way to get rid of it, short of taking it all apart and cleaning her out. The bits of metal & corrosion are also very hard on the o-rings. Don't ever put her up wet.
 
Originally Posted By: meep

How do you drain the pump?


No need...get a gallon of pink RV anti freeze at WalMart and a funnel with hose and pour 1/2 quart in the water inlet until it runs out of the pump. It will lube the pump and never freeze. Cost: $4
 
Last edited:
RV antifreeze will winterize and remove the risk of freezing. It does not provide any lubricating qualities for the pump and seals.

That is why pump saver is a great product because it accomplishes both needs. One can lasts for ever because you simply spray enough until you see the water come out of the output and foam appears. I stocked up last year at a sale at Menards for $2.99/can
 
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: meep

How do you drain the pump?


No need...get a gallon of pink RV anti freeze at WalMart and a funnel with hose and pour 1/2 quart in the water inlet until it runs out of the pump. It will lube the pump and never freeze. Cost: $4


great idea. would you treat the high pressure hose and wand too, or just drain them?
 
Originally Posted By: henni
Does this short youtube explain best use of pump saver ?

Do you use pump saver between each use or only if stored for weeks or months ?

http://youtu.be/98cRRjQGyuY


I use it after each use.
It may be overkill but it has worked for me for years.
 
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