What kind of pressure washer pump do I have here?

[Chris B.]

I inherited a Excell/Divilbliss Honda powered pressure washer that I believe is a heavy duty commercial unit based on what the local OPE shop told me about it. I'm doing some maintenance on it and had a few questions. What kind of pump is on this unit and is it any good? The shop had the below oil and said it was the correct oil for the pump. I just want to confirm because the bottle says it is for triplex plunger pumps but I cant find that printed on my pump anywhere. Is this the correct oil for this pump?
Also should I use the sight window on the pump case to check correct fluid level or the dip stick? The reason I ask is because if the sight window is up to the middle line there will be no fluid on the dip stick. I have to fill the pump case till the sight window is 100% full till I get a fill reading on the dip stick. What is the correct and safest reading of the fluid level?
Last question: is German Castrol 0w30 a good choice for the engine? I figured it was like a Honda mower engine and GC 0w30 is good for them! Thanks for the help!!!

 

[oilboy123]

I had that brand of pump on my 5.5 Honda pressure washer. My brother blew the pump out a few years back. I bought a Cat pump to replace it. I always used Amsoil 10w-40 engine oil in the pump. It specified a motor oil right on the tag. I should mention I bought the pressure washer in the early 90s, and it always worked great. My brother has a way of breaking things though. He should be a durability tester for consumer products.

If you go to the MFGr site. You should be able to verify the correct fluid. I would think the site glass would take precedence. But don't quote me on it. I would verify the info with their tech support people. But that's just me.......

I found an Amsoil pump oil that will work for my Cat pump. It takes some finagaling. The pump MFGrs would like you to believe that their pump oils are special and magical. They are always overpriced, and inferior to the better products that you can find.

click on pumps on the left. Then go to page (6) It will show that pump.

http://www.annovi-reverberi.com/AR-PUMPS/servicedealers/SD California.html

 

[demarpaint]

I have the same pump as well on an old Honda powered power washer. It just started leaking water into the pump, which is mixing with the pump oil and turning the oil into a mix which looks like coffee with a lot of milk. I will be replacing it as well with a Cat pump.

A few things to keep in mind. Some of those pumps don't have a pressure relief mechanism, so if you're moving the machine around on a job site either shut it off, or trigger the nozzle on the wand at least every 30-60 seconds. The pump uses non-detergent straight 30 grade oil, or pressure washer pump oil. They strongly advise against using multi-grade engine oil with detergent in it, although some people do.

Your pump is low on oil. Check the sight class on level ground, and fill it to the center between those two points in the metal on the sight glass.

If you're storing it during the winter months in freezing temps, shut the engine off and pull the starter cord, it will spit out water. Rig a hose to the water intake with a funnel fill it with RTV Anti-Freeze and pull the cord until it spits the anti-freeze. Cap it off. I use a 1' length of garden hose with a male end on it to fill it with A/F, then fold the hose over and clamp it. Done deal with the pump for the winter.

 

[oilboy123]

Are you sure there is not water in the pump oil? Looks kind of weird from the site glass pic?

Those are good tips demarpaint, pretty much what I do.

My pump started getting water in the oil as well. I think he just left it running too long before he pulled the trigger, and it overheated the pump. If you peruse the MFGr websites, you can find a ton of info about the pumps. I ran 10w-40 Amsoil in my old pump head. It worked very well.

Yes I set my new cat pump up with a pop off valve, and thermal relief valve. I am trying to break proof it in case my brother breaks it again.

 

[bubbatime]

Yes that is a triplex pump. Yes that is the correct fluid. Use the sight glass between the two "arrows". Currently, your pump is low on fluid.

As for the engine, pressure washers run with an incredible load. I like 40 weight in them myself. 5W40 if you like synthetic or 15W40 if you prefer conventional.

GC 0W30 is a fine oil, but I'd prefer a heavy duty engine oil such as Rotella syn blend 10W30 if you prefer a 30 weight.

 

[i6pwr]

That's an AR pump.....very good pump. I just replaced an old pump on my Karcher with a 4000 psi AR, I love it.

I would just order a bottle of oil online, they are avail and it's better to go with the manufacturer's oil.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Are you sure there is not water in the pump oil? Looks kind of weird from the site glass pic?

Those are good tips demarpaint, pretty much what I do.

My pump started getting water in the oil as well. I think he just left it running too long before he pulled the trigger, and it overheated the pump. If you peruse the MFGr websites, you can find a ton of info about the pumps. I ran 10w-40 Amsoil in my old pump head. It worked very well.

Yes I set my new cat pump up with a pop off valve, and thermal relief valve. I am trying to break proof it in case my brother breaks it again.


No Water in the pump. I just changed the oil before that picture was taken and it is blue in color.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Are you sure there is not water in the pump oil? Looks kind of weird from the site glass pic?

Those are good tips demarpaint, pretty much what I do.

My pump started getting water in the oil as well. I think he just left it running too long before he pulled the trigger, and it overheated the pump. If you peruse the MFGr websites, you can find a ton of info about the pumps. I ran 10w-40 Amsoil in my old pump head. It worked very well.

Yes I set my new cat pump up with a pop off valve, and thermal relief valve. I am trying to break proof it in case my brother breaks it again.


There's no water in the OP's pump, as he already mentioned. When in doubt you'll know the second you change the oil, it comes out like coffee with a lot of milk in it. I was a bit surprised when I changed mine out, the oil level was dead nuts on, but it looked just like the coffee I mentioned. It doesn't take much water to ruin the oil. I can't complain though, the machine is old but in great shape. My mistake was renting it to a follow contractor friend. I have a feeling they left the machine running while moving it around a house, and not gunning it every 30-60 seconds, or even better, shutting the [censored] thing off when they moved it. Lesson learned.

I strongly recommend not using engine oil in it that you'd use in your car. You do not want the detergent in there. Plain old straight 30 non-detergent is what you want, or pump oil. People do it all the time w/o issue, but there are better options.

Smart move in setting up the new pump that way! I plan on doing the same thing, after I blow this pump up. I want to see how long it lasts with water mixing in with the oil. We have a back up machine so I'm not overly concerned. I drained it a few weeks ago when I stored it for the winter.

 

[Chris B.]

If my pump ever goes, how difficult is it to install a new one? I assume the Honda engine will out last the AR pump??? My Pressure washer is 13 years old but has very few actual hours on it....like well under 100 or maybe even under 50.

 

[oilboy123]

I guess my eyes are lying to me looking at the site glass. The AR should be a good pump. I just thought I would try a CAT pump since they were supposed to be arguably the best. I got my CAT pump new on Ebay. For a pretty good price about 3 years ago. I spent a lot of time researching to set it up. I used one of these for a primary water filter, and hook the hose up to it. I used the 4" version though. I also installed a liquid filled gauge to set up the unloader setting.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OBERG-UFO-RACING-OIL-FILTER-SCREEN-FOR-426-HEMI-454-427-BBC-BBC-FORD-ENGINES-/161724261254?hash=item25a7846386:g:e9sAAOSwNSxVXD4C&vxp=mtr

I then used a thermal relief valve, and a pop off valve. I also added a radiator petcock valve at the pump inlet. I leave it open until water starts coming out after turning the hose on. Then I don't have to hold the wand for so long to purge air.

The most difficult part was buying the right parts, and putting them in the right spots. The pump bolts up really easy. I don't know how long my pump would have lasted. It never had a chance with my brother.........
My pressure washer probably has 250 hrs on it. The Honda engine is great, and starts up on the first pull every time. It's about 23 years old.

 

[Chris B.]

Any idea how many hours a pressure washer pump is supposed to last for on average? I'm guessing my 13 year old Excell has between 160-200 hours on it. Probably less in reality.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
If my pump ever goes, how difficult is it to install a new one? I assume the Honda engine will out last the AR pump??? My Pressure washer is 13 years old but has very few actual hours on it....like well under 100 or maybe even under 50.


Those pumps can be rebuilt my brother and I did a few, but from what I've heard its hit or miss. A new Cat pump is the way to go, they bolt right on.

You're right the Honda engine will easily out last the pump, at least that's how its been in my circle of contractors using them.

 

[cat843]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Are you sure there is not water in the pump oil? Looks kind of weird from the site glass pic?

Those are good tips demarpaint, pretty much what I do.

My pump started getting water in the oil as well. I think he just left it running too long before he pulled the trigger, and it overheated the pump. If you peruse the MFGr websites, you can find a ton of info about the pumps. I ran 10w-40 Amsoil in my old pump head. It worked very well.

Yes I set my new cat pump up with a pop off valve, and thermal relief valve. I am trying to break proof it in case my brother breaks it again.


It's hard to break proof a gas pressure washer. The main issue is when you let go of the trigger the pressure rises almost immediately. So the overload kicks in and recirculates the water, but now its starting to get hot. After maybe 5 minutes the hot water can melt some of the plastic/nylon internal parts of the pump. Mobile pumps on a trailer with a water tank push the overload water into the tank so it does not get hot.