Maintenance of a pressure washer is extremely important. Without proper maintenance, pressure washers will break down more often and need replacement much sooner. These are expensive problems, especially if you need a pressure washer for work. In this article, we will be breaking down how to maintain a gas pressure washer for regular use, how to winterize a pressure washer for cold storage during winter months, and the general maintenance schedule you should be implementing to keep your equipment in order.
Regular Maintenance
The regular maintenance activities that should be done on a gas pressure washer are engine oil changes, pump oil changes (if applicable), air filter replacements, and fuel system cleaning.
Oil Changes
Oil changes should be done every 40 hours of engine use, but oil should be changed after the first significant use of the machine (or the break-in period). We recommend the use of SAE 10W-30 for pressure washer engine oil.
If oil is not changed every 40 hours of use or sooner, the oil can become low or too thick to become effective. This leads to premature wear on the engine and will cause engine performance issues quickly. Make sure to change oil regularly if a pressure washer is being used daily or weekly, if it is only used a few times a year, we still recommend changing oil yearly.
The break-in period requires such a quick oil change as the engine has not yet been used and during the first use of the pistons, rings, and cylinders, fine metal shavings may be created. Having fine metal shavings in the oil can cause significant issues down the line, so quick engine oil replacement after the first break-in is important. Generally, the break-in period is 5 hours.
Pump Oil Changes
Pump oil changes are only required on pressure washers with very high-quality and expensive pumps. At EcoWash, only about half of our current pressure washers require regular pump maintenance. Cheaper pumps may not require pump oil changes at all.
Pump oil is different than engine oil and requires a different product. Make sure to use a non-detergent oil. SAE 30 works well for us. Pump oil replacement is important as it prevents excessive wear on the pump. Pump oil should be replaced about half as often as normal engine oil, so put it on the schedule for every other engine oil change.
Air Filter Replacement
Air filters can become extremely dirty with regular use, especially in dusty areas. This restricts airflow to the engine and causes the engine to work harder during normal use. Clean off the air filter if possible, but replacement is generally a good option as these filters are cheap and easy to find. Inspect this at least once a year.
Fuel System Cleaning
Draining a fuel system with old, stagnant fuel is a good idea. This is easy to do, as the carburetor has a fuel line going into it that can be disconnected and used for draining the tank. Old fuel can go stale and clog your fuel system. If you forget to do this and the engine still runs, put an ounce of SeaFoam into the fuel tank (if the tank is more than half full) as it helps to clean the fuel line and remove debris. Do not overuse seafoam as it can degrade parts with overuse, but occasional use is a fantastic idea for cleaning any small engine. Use SeaFoam more regularly if you are using non-premium fuel.
Winterizing a pressure washer
To winterize a pressure washer, follow these steps: drain all water from the pump & hoses, add pump saver to the pump, stabilize the fuel, and change the oil while adding engine cleaner for the next use in the spring.
Drain all Water
Draining water from the hoses, guns, and pump will prevent cracking within the machinery from water expanding into ice. This is generally simple, but take care to ensure it is fully done.
Pump Saver
Pump saver is a fantastic product. It is an expanding foam that can be sprayed into the pump and will force out all water from your pump, eliminating issues from water expansion during colder periods. This is relatively cheap and a can of pump saver can be used multiple times.
Stabilize Fuel
Fuel stabilizers (such as SeaFoam) should be put into the gas to prevent gas from going stale. This also prevents the need to drain the fuel system completely and can help clean the fuel line during the next use.
Change the Oil and Add Engine Cleaner
Oil changes should always happen at the end of the warm season to prevent yourself from another chore to do during the spring. It also restarts your maintenance schedule so there is nothing to remember for the next year. Add some SeaFoam or similar products into the oil to help clean the engine during the first use in the spring.
Maintenance Schedule
Oil Changes: Every 40 hours, after first significant use, or once a year if used irregularly.
Pump Oil Changes: Every 80 hours or once a year, whichever comes first.
Air Filter Replacement: Should be inspected for every oil change and replaced when dirty.
Fuel System Cleaning: Add in SeaFoam to gas after the last use every season, or more often if desired.
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