Picked up an Ex-cell Pressure Washer...

[NC Homestead]

Picked up an Ex-cell Pressure Washer... Pump DOA

OK so I have been looking around on Craigslist for a pressure washer and I came across an Ex-cell EXPRO2530. It is 2500psi @ 3gpm, just about perfect for the typical around the house stuff I am looking to clean. Has a nice Honda GX200 motor and a Cat Triplex pump (2SFX30GZI), all for $100. So what's the catch, the pump doesn't have pressure. The owner stated he had just bought it (Craigslist) and was using it the first time and everything was working well then it just lost pressure. He stopped using it and intended to get it repaired, but never got around to it. Well i figured what the hell I like to wrench on stuff and as long as the motor was good that was at least worth the investment.

So I went to check it out, sure enough the motor fires right up and the pumps spins (good sign, at least it is not locked up) Thinking it more than likely just needs some new seals. Well when I get around to taking the pump loose I notice that I don't see any oil in the sight glass (yeah I should have noticed that before, but I was in a hurry to meet my wife for dinner and I was running late)... I check the plugs on the pump and they are all loose, barely finger tight. That is no good, I hope he didn't run the thing dry. So I text him back and ask him if he happened to have drained the oil for winter storage, I get a reply back " Oil? There is oil in the pump?Nope didn't drain that didn't even know it was there!" Now I am just hoping the pump is not toast!.

Well I finally get the pump unbolted from the motor and remove the drain plug and to my relief there is some oil draining out.It was really low, but at least it was not bone dry. I can still turn the pump by hand and feel some compression in the pump head, so I am feeling better that the pump is not toast, although it looks like it did get hot enough to melt the inside of the oil fill plug. I am thinking the original owner either drained the oil or the plugs vibrated loose, and the new owner did not notice. He was running the pump low on oil, it got hot and smoked the seals. I am going to try and crack into the head tomorrow and take a look at the seals. Hopefully that is all it will need and I can have a nice little pressure washer for a good deal!

Will

 

[NC Homestead]

So I finally get over and catch up with the guy at the tool counter at Northern Tool to get my oil fill cap. He takes one look at the old melted cab and prophetically claims "that pump is TOAST, Let me save you some time and money, which of these new pumps would you like?" Well since I had not even got the pump casing cracked open yet, I was still not ready to admit defeat, after all the PO could have just set the cap down on the exhaust cover right? (LMAO Yeah Right). Well I got my cap and thanked the man for his time, and came home and cracked it open and it was not a pretty sight! Looked like something had built a nest in there Yikes! I was still holding out hope until I got down to the seal retainers and they were melted as well... no sense in going any further with it! Although I am stubborn enough to throw some oil in there and see if it will work anyway!

Anyone got any suggestion on pumps they like. for a 6.5HP engine. I am trying to get as much flow as I can as I would like to try some abrasive pressure washing with it!

Will

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

Cat pumps are typically very high quality. Parts are available to rebuild that pump if the main parts are in good condition. Here is one source: http://www.jnequipment.com/show_detail.php?item=2SFX30GZ_-_CAT_2SFX_Pressure_Washer_Pump#repair Use the Cat part numbers to look for better prices. The seal kit alone is ~$100. I would save that pump if I could, as it was ~$600 new. Best of luck.

 

[NC Homestead]

Still too many hobbies,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. This one may be beyond my level at the moment. Additionally I am potentially up to $400 in parts to rebuild it, and a new one is $400. I was talking with the guy at Northern Tool who rebuilds the pumps and he said it is really a **** shoot once the pumps get that hot and the internals start melting. I know all the plastic parts are shot and all the rubber needs to be replaced, So that is $300 provided that I can salvage the plungers and there was no damage to the pistons, rods, crankshaft, bearings, cylinders, or other metal parts.

I am off cleaning up the engine tonight, that is looking like it is in good shape. Just draining and changing all the fluids and a general tune up. The screws on the muffler guard are ******* me off though PB blaster is not working, I may have to heat them up... need to get in to clean the park arrest or.

Will

 

[justme-]

A piece of advice to you and all who read this later - when buying a used pressure washer, if the pump has no pressure NEVER BUY IT. Pumps either work or they don't, and the cost to rebuild a pump is almost never worth it. Same with replacing a pump unless you have a top end unit - like a hot pressure washer or a commercial unit. The $400 you'll spend on that pump would go a long way to a whole new unit.

That's the first question we ask when any pressure washer comes in for repair - does the pump output... if no we won't even take it in to look at - not worth the cost. Sorry you found this out the hard way. Cat and Comet are the best names you can get in pumps in that class of unit.