Pump Saver for power washers ?

[foodie]

What brand do you guys/gals use? And do you use it after every time you use the power washer or just in the winter time before storage?
Also, because I am new at this,...I am concerned that if I use it every time I use the power washer,...what happens when you turn it on again the next time? Do you have to make a wash out of the contents? I am concerned that turning it on for the next use if there is still some left in the pump it will damage let's say the paint on my car. I don't want that liquid on my car or my patio.
You responses are greatly appreciated.

 

[Notgrownup]

Just for storage if I use it ...what’s on the shelf at lowes

 

[foodie]

Thanks notgrownup good to know...

 

[reader2580]

The stuff will flush out in 30 seconds or less. I only use the stuff for winterization.

 

[Showkey]

At Menards the same product is marketed by 3 companies with different labels with $3 variations in the price. Look at the ingredients before wasting your money.

Yes....the stuff will flush out in 3 seconds............

 

[foodie]

Ok thanks guys. I was concerned that there might be some residue in there and that would be mixed with the next use. I have read good things about the Briggs &Stratton brand simply because it has an injector. The other brands that you pour in have not worked as well. The only reason I have considered using it in between a few washings is because I have hard water. I have read that hard water can seize up the pump? I don't know if there is any truth to this.

 

[JRC3]

Just spray it in a bucket.

On my paint sprayer that gets used every other year I now use ordinary auto antifreeze.

 

[American Locomotive]

I use ordinary antifreeze in my pressure washer as well. I just pump it into a bucket.

 

[foodie]

So even though you use ordinary antifreeze, how can you be sure there is no residue that would gunk up your next job? Do you just run water through it until it becomes clear?. I realize that it flushes out fairly quickly, but is there any left inside the nooks and crannies so to speak that could mix with your soapy water when you want to clean something??

 

[JRC3]

The pump only holds a few ounces. It flushes out plenty quick enough and the hose inside diameter is pretty small so it pushes right out. Don't over think it too much.

How big is your power washer? Even on my big 10HP model it clears quick enough. A small one that pumps a gallon or two a minutes will clear even faster. If you want piece of mind try it with some food coloring.

 

[sberry]

It wouldn't hurt soapy water. You can actually use it over and over. Pull it thru till it starts coming out green with wand off, shut off. Then when ready to use put the hose in a bucket, run till it starts to turn clear. Use it over and over in the winter if you need to.

 

[rlitman]

I used to use the Briggs stuff, because it was an aerosol. It's certainly the easiest option.
I currently use a bottle that came with a ball valve and hose end sized cap threads. I screw it onto the pump, open the valve, squeeze the bottle, and pull the cord. The nice thing about the bottle is that I can refill it with RV antifreeze.

First, use RV antifreeze, NOT automotive antifreeze. Automotive antifreeze is toxic.
Second, no, there will be no residue left on whatever you're washing. Especially if you only use it to winterize the pump.

 

[JRC3]

Not sure RV antifreeze prevents corrosion and lubricates. It's meant for water traps and waterlines.

 

[American Locomotive]

Automotive anti-freeze is fine, and has far better corrosion inhibitors than most RV antifreezes. Just pump it into a bucket with the pressure tip off and save it for the next winter. My pressure washer has a suction feed pump that draws from a reservoir a hose connects to (has a float valve to regulate water level). So it's easy for me to just dump the antifreeze back into the reservoir and run the pressure washer a bit.

So even though you use ordinary antifreeze, how can you be sure there is no residue that would gunk up your next job? Do you just run water through it until it becomes clear?. I realize that it flushes out fairly quickly, but is there any left inside the nooks and crannies so to speak that could mix with your soapy water when you want to clean something??

You're way over thinking it. The pump holds like 50 CCs of liquid max. Any anti-freeze or winterizing liquid would be blown out within the first second or two of operation. Any "residue" would be so dilute it'd be undetectable by the most sensitive lab equipment in existence.

 

[sberry]

I have never used the saver but I bet its mostly RV ****. Not sure what there is in the pump to corrode? You can simply blow them out with air too, some units come pre plumbed with fittings for it.

 

[foodie]

Thank so much guys!!! You are life savers for this women wannabe doityourselfer!!
I just purchased a new Ryobi 1700 1.2gpm PW yesterday.

Yes JRC.. I over think everything,...thanks for the mental check I truly needed that.

Sberry good to know that the wand and unit should be shut off. Because I thought I read after you pour the stuff in, to turn it on to make it run. That is why I am so confused..

rlitman, thanks for the "use RV antifreeze", because I was thinking car antifreeze,..

 

[sberry]

You can take the wand off and run the unit to purge it thru. I don't deal a lot with thse type of units but ones with heating coils. They are steel and can or could corrode with sitting,,, I don't really worry about it.

 

[foodie]

Automotive anti-freeze is fine, and has far better corrosion inhibitors than most RV antifreezes. Just pump it into a bucket with the pressure tip off and save it for the next winter. My pressure washer has a suction feed pump that draws from a reservoir a hose connects to (has a float valve to regulate water level). So it's easy for me to just dump the antifreeze back into the reservoir and run the pressure washer a bit.

You're way over thinking it. The pump holds like 50 CCs of liquid max. Any anti-freeze or winterizing liquid would be blown out within the first second or two of operation. Any "residue" would be so dilute it'd be undetectable by the most sensitive lab equipment in existence.

Ok, great to know it is just a small amount 50ccs of liquid. That makes me feel better.

 

[sberry]

Some of the little ones can disconnect the hose and put them inside somewhere warm. My shop is heated, I use it all winter.

 

[rlitman]

Not sure RV antifreeze prevents corrosion and lubricates. It's meant for water traps and waterlines.

Pressure washer pumps need neither corrosion protection nor lubrication on the wetted side. If WATER is good enough for them, then they don't need any other additives. Or, to put it another way, anything that says it lubricates or protects your pump from corrosion is snake oil.

What kills pumps is when soap solutions are used and not rinsed out, and when they're allowed to freeze with water inside.

 

[sberry]

I never use soap thru them. Put it in a garden sprayer, whiz a little on where needed. Sometimes I have some with brush in a bucket. I have hot so I rarely use soap.

 

[foodie]

^^^^ good to know!! Because I would be the first one to fall for something like that, and buy extra things I don't need.