Operating a pressure washer requires proper care and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the equipment. The pump, in particular, is the heart of a pressure washer and perhaps the most critical component when it comes to maintenance. Properly caring for your pressure washer pump will prevent problems, minimize downtime, and extend the operating life of your equipment.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about maintaining your pressure washer pump.
An Introduction to Pressure Washer Pumps
Pressure washer pumps are designed to boost incoming water pressure to extremely high levels. They work by using an electric motor or gas engine to drive a piston or impeller which forces water through the pump at pressures ranging from 1500 to upwards of 4000 PSI.
The high-pressure water exiting the pump passes through a trigger gun and nozzle to blast away dirt, grime, and debris.
There are two main types of pumps used in pressure washers:
- Axial cam pumps – These pumps use an eccentric cam to drive pistons in a cylinder. Axial cam pumps are known for producing very high pressures for their size. They are common in smaller electric pressure washers.
- Triplex plunger pumps – Triplex pumps use three plungers and seals stacked together in a cylinder to produce smooth, consistent pressure. These durable pumps are often found in gas-powered pressure washers used commercially.
Regardless of the type, proper maintenance is crucial in preventing premature wear and failure.
Regular Inspection and Cleaning
The first line of defense for excellent pressure washer pump maintenance is regular inspection and cleaning. Here are some tips:
- Check for debris buildup – Carefully inspect the exterior and interior of the pump for any accumulated debris like dirt, leaves, grass clippings or mineral deposits. Blockages can lead to overheating and damage.
- Flush the pump – After every use, flush the pump by running water through it without the high-pressure hose attached. This removes any corrosive chemicals or debris lingering inside.
- Check and clean the water inlet filter – Clogged inlet filters starve the pump of water flow leading to cavitation damage. Rinse or replace them regularly.
- Inspect seals and O-rings – Look for any worn out or cracked pump seals and O-rings which indicate the need for replacement. We’ll cover this more later.
Develop a habit of checking over your pump before and after each use. A few minutes upfront can prevent expensive repairs down the road.
Proper Lubrication
Lubricating the seals and O-rings on your pressure washer pump maintains flexibility, prevents drying out or cracking, and reduces friction. Follow the manufacturer’s lubricant recommendations:
- Use the proper grease – For pressure washer pumps, a high quality lithium grease works best on seals and O-rings. Avoid petroleum based greases which can cause swelling.
- Apply lightly and evenly – Only a small amount is needed. Apply lightly to avoid pushing out the seals. Spread evenly to prevent uneven wear.
- Lubricate after cleaning – Lubricate seals after flushing out the pump rather than before. This washes away any debris that may potentially contaminate the grease.
- Check connections too – Don’t forget to lubricate o-rings on pump connections and swivels to prevent binding, wear, and leaks.
Proper lubrication prevents excess friction, wear, and water leaks leading to longer seal, O-ring, and overall pump life.
Replacing Seals and O-Rings
While cleaning and lubrication go a long way, seals and o-rings operating under extreme pressure water conditions will wear over time. Knowing when and how to replace these components is critical for maintaining your pressure washer pump.
Here are best practices for pressure washer pump seal and o-ring replacement:
- Use OEM or better seals – Stick with seals and o-rings designed specifically for your make and model of pump. Aftermarket components are not all made equal.
- Replace in sets – If one seal or o-ring needs replacing, it’s best to replace the entire set. The cost of an entire seal kit is minor compared to future repairs.
- Follow manufacturer’s procedures – Consult your owner’s manual for proper removal and installation. Don’t improvise seal or o-ring replacement.
- Check sealing surfaces – Inspect sealing surfaces for pitting, wear or grooving which necessitates replacement. Lightly polish surfaces if needed.
As you inspect and service your pump, don’t neglect this crucial replacement task. It goes without saying your seals need to… well, seal.
Proper Pressure Washer Pump Storage
How you store your pressure washer between uses is just as important as how you maintain it. Use these winterizing procedures before long term storage or freezing conditions:
- Flush thoroughly – Run plain water through the pump and hoses to remove any remaining chemicals which could freeze and cause damage.
- Drain completely – Tip the unit over to drain out any remaining water in the pump. Remove hoses to drain fully. Trapped water can freeze and crack the pump.
- Use pump saver – Add RV antifreeze to the pump and circulate through the system to lubricate and prevent corrosion over storage time.
- Store upright and sheltered – Keep the pressure washer out of the elements in a shed, garage or covered area to prevent exterior damage over time.
Properly winterizing and storing your pressure power washer keeps it protected and ready for rapid deployment next season when duty calls.
Troubleshooting Common Pressure Washer Pump Problems
Even well maintained pumps encounter problems from time to time. Here are some of the most common pressure washer pump issues and their likely fixes:
Problem – Low pressure output
- Clogged or worn nozzle – Scale buildup or debris can restrict flow through nozzle. Replace with properly sized nozzle.
- Stuck unloader valve – Valve should open fully when trigger is pressed. Remove and inspect unloader.
- Worn seals or oil leak – Indications of leak allow pressure to bypass. Replace seals and inspect oil level.
Problem – Water or oil leaks
- Compromised seals/o-rings – Hard water chemicals and heat fatigue seals over time requiring replacement.
- Worn plunger pistons – Piston wear enlarges seal clearances causing internal bypass leaks.
- Oil seals failed – Age, heat and pressure take their toll. New seals needed to rebuild pump.
Problem – Pressure pulses or fluctuates
- Inlet restriction – Check screen filters for debris blockage limiting proper water supply.
- Air in system – Low inlet pressure allows air pockets causing pressure pulses. Increase inlet flow.
- Worn valves – Debris buildup under valves preventing full closure. Clean out system.
Learning to recognize pump issues quickens diagnosis and resolution to keep your pressure up!
Maintaining Triplex Pressure Washer Pumps
Triplex pumps with their durable forged brass heads and stainless steel valves are found on most heavy-duty commercial grade pressure washers. Their robust construction allows these pumps to withstand rugged, high-cycle cleaning jobs. However, they still require proper care and maintenance to live up to their full lifecycle potential.
Here are key maintenance best practices for triplex pumps:
- Daily inspection – Check pump oil levels at minimum. Top off if low to prevent damage. Watch for leaks.
- Regular oil changes – Old oil has worn metal, combustion byproducts. Change every 100 hours.
- Yearly valve replacement – Hard water minerals prevent full valve closure over time. Swap out annually.
- Detail strip downs – For intense duty cycles, complete tear downs every 500 hours keeps pumps ship-shape.
- Winterize thoroughly – Triplex pumps have tolerance gaps sensitive to freezing fluids. Drain, flush and store frost-free.
If the cost of a triplex pump overhaul seems high, consider the downtime and lost business revenue if your workhorse pump fails inopportunely. A bit of prevention truly pays off.
Axial Cam Pump Maintenance
Axial cam pumps utilize a compact, simplified design well suited for medium duty applications like small contractors or homeowner equipment. Here’s what you need to know for keeping these lightweight workhorses humming:
- Debris maintenance – Check and clean inlet filters. Flush regularly. Lack of proper water supply damages seals swiftly.
- Seal replacement – Seal kits are economical for these pumps. Swap yearly or if any dripping occurs which indicates failure onset.
- Lubricate routinely – Apply proper lubricant to keep seals conditioned. Grease sparingly to avoid seal contamination.
- Prevention over repairs – Consider adding a water softener attachment for hard water areas. Prevent scale and chemical damage proactively.
- Mind cold conditions – If freezing temps occur, pump saver additive prevents icing issues during storage. Don’t neglect winterizing.
Remember, axial cam pumps trade maintenance simplicity for overall ruggedness. Staying on top of caretaker duties avoids out-of-commission downtime.
Pressure Washer Pump Repair Options
If you have an older pressure washer pump beginning to show its age through chronic leaks, pressure loss or other unreliability, you may think your only recourse is to replace the whole pump. However, quality pump rebuilds provide a far more economical way to return faulty units back to full pressure potential.
Pressure washer pump repair facilities can diagnose issues and provide solutions including:
- Complete teardown inspections – Identify extent of internal wear to valves, seals, piston cylinders etc.
- Replacement of worn components – Swap out aged plunger assemblies, worn seal kits and degraded valves.
- Precision honing services – Carefully polish out uneven grooving in cylinder walls from erosion.
- Performance testing – Ensure pump integrity is restored to specs before redeployment.
The cost is a fraction of total pump replacement, and you still get warranty coverage equal to a new pump. If your existing unit has simply racked up the hours, rebuild is absolutely the best value maintenance option.
Pressure Washer Pump Best Practices
We’ve covered quite a bit regarding properly caring for the beating heart of your pressure washing rig – the pump. Here’s a quick recap of vital best practices to employ:
- Inspect and flush regularly
- Lubricate seals and o-rings
- Replace worn seals promptly
- Adjust pressures properly
- Check oil levels
- Clean inlet filters
- Winterize for storage
- Prevent scale buildup
- Rebuild rather than replace
Treating your pressure washer pump as an invaluable asset and practicing preventative maintenance gives you the best odds of attaining maximum duty cycles. Pay a little attention today and your pump will keep paying you back for years to come.
Conclusion
In the demanding world of pressure washing, a quality pump maintained well is what stands between you and income-eating downtime. We’ve covered everything you need for keeping your pump in peak operating condition.
To summarize:
- Make inspections and cleaning part of your regular routine
- Lubricate and replace seals before leaks occur
- Practice proper winterizing procedures
- Learn to recognize and troubleshoot common pump problems quickly
- Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for pump type maintenance
- Consider professional rebuilds rather than replacement
Knowledge plus discipline equals a pressure washer pumping profits instead of consuming them via neglect. Following these pump care best practices allows you to do more jobs per season and extends the lifecycle of your equipment for maximum return on investment.