Is this pressure washer worth fixing?

[Sasquatch912]

Just bought this belt drive pressure washer for $60. Has a Honda GX160 5.5 HP motor with a General 1500 PSI 3.5 GPM Pump. The guy said the motor ran but needs a new pull rope as the old one is broke and the carburetor needs cleaning. The pump needs rebuilding or replaced.

I wasn't to thorough with asking him about the pumps PSI and GPM and assumed it was a higher PSI pump.

I see a rebuild kit for the pump is around $150-$200.

I was debating about fixing the motor and see if it fires up, but I have an old Generac pressure washer that was direct drive. The pump failed but the motor ran fine, but I havent started it in several years but it has been stored under the shelter. I am thinking its a bigger motor than the GX160 and am contemplating seeing if it will swap out the GX160.

Then next, I am looking for a 4000 PSI 4.0 GPM + pump to use. I found a CanPump that does 3500 PSI but does 5 GPM for $250.


What would be the best solution? Fix what i have, do the swap, or scrap it all? I know belt drives are $$$$ and are over $1000 brand new.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just bought this belt drive pressure washer for $60. Has a Honda GX160 5.5 HP motor with a General 1500 PSI 3.5 GPM Pump. The guy said the motor ran but needs a new pull rope as the old one is broke and the carburetor needs cleaning. The pump needs rebuilding or replaced.

I would not have paid more than $20 for a PW with a non-running engine and a pump in that condition !

I was debating about fixing the motor and see if it fires up, ...

For fun, sure, but don't spend more than $10 !

Then next, I am looking for a 4000 PSI 4.0 GPM + pump to use.

You are going to need a lot more than 5 or 6 HP to get that kind of pressure and volume !

 

[metlmunchr]

You are going to need a lot more than 5 or 6 HP to get that kind of pressure and volume !

For sure. My son has a 4 gpm 4200psi John Deere pressure washer. It has a 13 or 14 hp engine.

I've got a 3 gpm 3300psi washer and it has a 7hp engine. Power requirement goes up pretty fast when increasing both pressure and volume.

 

[demarpaint]

For sure. My son has a 4 gpm 4200psi John Deere pressure washer. It has a 13 or 14 hp engine.

I've got a 3 gpm 3300psi washer and it has a 7hp engine. Power requirement goes up pretty fast when increasing both pressure and volume.

I agree.

OP-I've rebuilt a few power washers over the years. If the engine is shot, and the pump froze and cracked, the cost to rebuild it can add up real fast. That engine is small for any difficult power washing tasks. I'd probably see if I could salvage the engine for another project, and scrap it if the pump froze and cracked.

 

[red]

Check youtube for rebuilding your pump.
Cousin gave me his PW after getting a quote to replace the pump for $150 (he was going to throw it out).
Replacement pumps were expensive (just under $100)
Found on youtube there's plastic check valves that break IF the Pressure Washer is exposed to freezing weather. Took less than 20 minutes to replace them. ($12 on ebay for OEM check valves)
Also replaced the hydraulic oil in the pump too.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I paid $300 for my ryobi 2900psi power washer. That will hopefully last the rest of my life. Its not a belt drive honda by any means. Take the pump apart and see what’s wrong. Might just need an o ring or 2 and some cleaning and lubricant. Menards caries a small can of winterizer with oil in it.

 

[Sasquatch912]

I would not have paid more than $20 for a PW with a non-running engine and a pump in that condition !


For fun, sure, but don't spend more than $10 !



You are going to need a lot more than 5 or 6 HP to get that kind of pressure and volume !

Yeah, I was kind of iffy about it but figured the belt drive and skid would be worth it since a new set up is way over $1000.


I was debating about a Harbor Freight 13 hp motor that sells for $299 (on sale) and that $250 pump. Swap over the belt drive parts and install on the skid and bam...I'm still less than buying a new belt drive washer.

 

[Sasquatch912]

I'll take apart the pump and put in some fresh oil and gas and pull rope and see if the Honda fires up.