How do you winterize your pressure washer?

[rvr6000]

Started to winterize my pressure washer the other night (just got it in April) per the manufacturers recommendation.....use a scrap piece of garden hose, fill it with rv antifreeze and pull the engine over until the antifreeze starts coming out the discharge. This was about 90% pain in the *** as I pulled on that cord til I couldn't feel my arm anymore and I never did see antifreeze come out.

So I improvised a little. I filled the hose with about 12oz of rv antifreeze then used a valve stem (which I usually use for blowing out pipes) on the end of the hose to force the antifreeze into the pump with about 80 lbs of air behind it.

It pushed that small amount of antifreeze thru pretty quickly so just for good measure I repeated the process one more time but with a little less air to make sure some of it stayed in the pump.

I'm confident the pressure washer will be fine for the Minnesota winter coming up but wondering if you guys do anything different.

 

[Keep]

Well I forgot one year and popped all the plugs. Now I just pull them all and put them in a plastic bag.

I am sure there is more to it but its worked so far. Though after finish insulating the garage it does not get freezing cold in there anymore.

 

[longezo320]

I use an aerosol can I got from TSC that contains a lubricant and antifreeze. Just connect the hose from the can to the water inlet on the washer, depress the handle on the wand, depress the button on the aerosol can until the lube comes out the tip. Release the button on the can and wait until the flow stops from the wand tip before you release the handle on the wand. If you don't you will get hosed when you disconnect the can's hose. DAMHIK

Next spring just run water thru the washer until it is clear then enjoy your de-winterized power washer.

These can probably be found at a Lowe's, HD or other store that sells washers.

Sam

 

[jhelrey]

Keep it in your unfinished basement. Haha

That's where the 25 HP Merc goes

 

[fitz11]

I use an aerosol can I got from TSC that contains a lubricant and antifreeze. Just connect the hose from the can to the water inlet on the washer, depress the handle on the wand, depress the button on the aerosol can until the lube comes out the tip. Release the button on the can and wait until the flow stops from the wand tip before you release the handle on the wand. If you don't you will get hosed when you disconnect the can's hose. DAMHIK

Next spring just run water thru the washer until it is clear then enjoy your de-winterized power washer.

These can probably be found at a Lowe's, HD or other store that sells washers.

Sam

What he said but I remove the hose and wand and just do the pump. I do this and then put rubber caps on the inlet and outlet to keep the junk out

 

[theoldwizard1]

I made an adapter from air quick connect to male garden hose. Install the high pressure hose and gun, connect the inlet to the compressor with the adapter and let it run for 3-5 minutes with the trigger locked open.

 

[BigAl62]

I also use a can of pressurized "winterizer". I also make sure there is no gas in it. In the spring I flush the pump, change the oil and fill it with fresh gas.

 

[jayoldschool]

I put mine in the basement.

 

[magilla]

I put mine in the basement.

this

 

[sberry]

You can blow it out with air or take a bucket with couple gallons of anti freeze **** it thru the intake with the wand off till it just comes green,,, when you want to use it again hook water to it, push anti freeze back into bucket just till its purged out, can re use it. Handiest way is probably blow it though.

 

[Metalcat]

I made an adapter for the inlet and outlet of the pump so that I can run a bit of straight automotive antifreeze thru the pump. This protects the pump from frost and corrosion, it also allows me to recover any excess antifreeze.
The pistons/plungers in my pump are not ceramic so this is important for seal longevity.

At this point I will also change pump oil, change the engine's oil, and after a short run with clean oil I'll drain the fuel.
It's important to store the engine with clean oil. Used oil holds combustion by-products and acids in suspension where if left over time these components can and will attack bearing surfaces, piston rings and cam and lifter surfaces.
If you are going to change oil this is the time to do it.

 

[osu69]

Store the wand with the valve tied in the open position and hang it so it gravity drains. ..retained water will destroy the valve if it freezes.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Mine is in a building where it generally never gets below freezing. After each use, winter or summer, I carefully roll up the hoses in such a way that the water drains out as I'm rolling it up. The wand is set on its rack on the pressure washer with the trigger open so it drains out. Hoses and wand inlet are capped to keep out dirt daubers and insects. I run the motor at idle for about 15 seconds with all hoses off, till it blow out the water in the pump, then plug the inlet and outlet with plastic caps or plugs.

Charles

 

[4Tigers]

keep mine in the shop average temp 68-72 degrees

Got it originally from a friend who froze it Installed a new pump and ready to go

 

[Wanna Ride]

keep mine in the shop average temp 68-72 degrees

Me too, I keep mine at 50 degrees or more, all winter.

 

[sberry]

Mine is never out of service, flip 1 switch for water and another for hot water, roll hose back up inside when its below freezing. If I ever have to replace this one it will be LP fired vs diesel.

 

[buening]

Karcher Pumpguard, which can be found at pretty much any place that sells pressure washer accessories (got mine at Walmart).

 

[sberry]

Probably expensive anti freeze with a pinch of oil.

 

[rlitman]

Probably expensive anti freeze with a pinch of oil.

Probably, but the bottle comes with the hose fitting, and a convenient valve.
When I empty mine, I'll refill the bottle with RV antifreeze. You just squeeze the bottle till it comes out of the pump. Not quite as convenient as the aerosol version, but you can refill it for real cheap.

 

[Greatbear]

For two gas engines ones I have, I first close the fuel supply and let the carbs run dry of fuel before shutting down.

I use compressed air to blow all water from the hose, wand/gun, attachments like turbo nozzles and floor cleaners, and the pumps themselves. I use the aerosol antifreeze in the pumps, spraying enough to displace any remaining water. I close the inlet valves on the pumps and they are good to go.

The electric goes into the basement after the same treatment, the canned antifreeze contains mineral oil that helps keep the seals in good condition and prevents mineral deposits in the water from adhering to the pistons and valves, creating problems later.

 

[Steevo]

Damn. You guys just keep coming up with **** I have to worry about.

 

[mrpowderkeg]

I take a 3 foot washing machine hose connected to the inlet, and pour automotive antifreeze into it until it's full while holding it up. When the pressure hose is disconnected mine is open to flow. I pull the starter cord with the engine so it cannot start until all the antifreeze is pumped through. I haven't had any issues with this in ND, and it can get well into the -30Fs.

It's worked for the last 10 years, so this is the last of my worries in winter or spring when I need to use it.

 

[1Garageman]

Damn. You guys just keep coming up with **** I have to worry about.

ya I have left mine in the garage for the past 2 years next to my snow blower!
I guess I should maybe take it down stairs this year?

EDIT:
It is a gas one thought, I wonder how much it weighs???

 

[Rickster55]

I give the one I have back to my buddy and borrow it again in the spring - then use it all summer. Repeat.

 

[TN_GARAGE]

I give the one I have back to my buddy and borrow it again in the spring - then use it all summer. Repeat.

That's right. Tell him you ain't got room to store all his **** over at your place.

 

[Rickster55]

That's right. Tell him you ain't got room to store all his **** over at your place.

EXACTLY!!!!!

 

[fireguy]

At one time, I used antifreeze. My first PW used a small beffer tank. I put antifreeze in the tank, started the pw and cycled the solution through the hose and back to the tank. When I got ready to use the pw, I started the pump and cycled the solution into a 3 gallon container. When the antifreeze got slushy, I kept the liqued and disposed of the slush. I could go all winter on less than 5 gallons of antifreeze.

Then I upgraded to a real pw, 5gpm, 3,000 psi hot water. I mounted a 5 gallon can on the wall of the step van. I used valves to drain the antifreeze into the PW and cycle that throught hte hose, pump, coil and unloader. Time to use the pw, I closed the drain valve and pumped the solution into the bucket.

Then I modidied my plumbing. I installed a drain valve at the lower end of the coil, installed a tee, valve and air fitting at the high point of the plumbing. I opened the drain valve, put an air hose on the air fitting and blew out the whole thing, pump, coil and hoses.

Now I am lazy. I ran hoses to the tank, unloader, pump, & both hose reels. I open the drains and slowly roll the hoses so they will drain. . I still have adaptors to blow the hoses, but have not used them for several years. I have done this for at least 3 years w/o problems. But it does not get cold here, we normally only have about 4 or 5 nights of -10°F. When it gets colder, I have a propane heater w/2 of the 10 gallon tanks to keep the trailer warm.

 

[RVDan]

I hook up my RV Winterizing pump to it and pump RV Antifreeze through it

At least I used to do that, now I just store it in the shop.

 

[santagary]

I put mine in the basement.

ditto

 

[seagravedriver]

****, I am a slacker. I have been draining it, wrapping it in rags and putting it in the shed. It is a rare time in Western Washington (State) that we are in the teens, though it does happen.

I add the stuff to the gas for long term storage, and then run it for a few. I have heard it said that it is better to leave that in the carb. than to run it dry, or worse of all, leave un treated fuel in it. What do you all think?

 

[saabman]

I keep mine in a heated garage all winter. I dont do anything special to it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I hope you arnt trying to put antifreese through the pump, hose, and nozzle using that method, you arm will want to fall off.

First i take the hose and nozzle off of the pump and blow it out with shop air and put it away. Then i attach a couple foot section of garden hose to the pump suction side. I shove a funnel in the other end and rest it up on the handle that you use to push it around. Then I pour RV antifreeze into the funnel and pull the chord a half dozen tomes or so until the RV antifreeze is coming out of the pump.

Chris

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Yup, drain hoses and hit the pump with the pump saver like above but a different brand.
Bottle is 4 years old and not empty yet. It just takes a very small amount to flush the pump of water.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Yup, drain hoses and hit the pump with the pump saver like above but a different brand.
Bottle is 4 years old and not empty yet. It just takes a very small amount to flush the pump of water.

Nope, take it out of the shed and bring it in to the heated garage.

 

[Firstram]

Probably frozen by now!

 

[bwringer]

I know this is going to seem almost perverted and sick, but...

I use the actual stuff made for this exact purpose and follow the instructions.

As recommended in the machine's manual, I buy a spray can of pressure washer storage glop and do the things it says to do. One can of glop lasts a surprisingly long time.

As noted above, the glop is not needed in the hose and gun.

If you're too paranoid to believe what the machine's manufacturer recommends and you simply MUST seek out some sort of weird life hack, then I dunno what to tell you.

 

[PCustoms]

I read this title as "how do you weaponize your pressure washer"....

As for winterizing, I drain the hose (so it's not dripping) and put it in the heated garage. It it freezes so did my house.

How the heck did and 14yr old thread get bumped?

 

[PassnThru]

Another zombie thread!
I'll play - I just remove the pump and put in the garage. It isn't heated 24/7 but never freezes. It's just 4 bolts - takes about 5 minutes and the pump is easy to find an out of the way place for.

 

[partsguy5768]

Keep in my shop..

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Another zombie thread!
I'll play - I just remove the pump and put in the garage. It isn't heated 24/7 but never freezes. It's just 4 bolts - takes about 5 minutes and the pump is easy to find an out of the way place for.

Not sure how this got brought back from the dead, I saw it after clicking on the "New Posts" tab....

Sorry guys