Power washer pump protector

[PT Doc]

Seems like th general consensus is to use a pump protector after use to keep the pump from seizing.

What is the actual fluid that is being pumped through the power washer.? Seems like the bottle would be reusable and mixing up a concoction at home would be cheaper.

Thanks

 

[Major Ramifications]

The manual for mine said to use RV antifreeze.

 

[Firebrick43]

The manual for mine said to use RV antifreeze.

+1

Most pump damage stems from water freezing in the pump, when water freezes it expands in volume and even the strongest of steels can be bent and broken out let alone the thin diecast casting in most pump case. The propylene glycol has the secondary advantage of keeping the seal from becoming hard. Keeps them soft and supple like fine Corinthian leather.

Propylene glycol is also used for de icing airplanes, safe for the rubber deicing boots on plane leading edges as well as wiring and other rubber parts and non corrosive.

Just don't get ethanol glycol. It's another cheaper rv antifreeze

 

[MarlynOC]

We remove pumps from the washers and keep in a heated garage, only 4 bolts and a keyway.

 

[rlitman]

I use RV antifreeze. But years ago, I bought a convenient bottle of pressure washer pump protector. It has a cap that fits the hose fitting, and a valve in the cap, so it makes it much easier to run through the pump. I refill it with RV antifreeze as I use it up.

 

[sberry]

You can **** anti freeze thru, as soon as it turns green put the hose end back in the bucket you were sucking from and can actually circulate it, when spring comes or you want to use it hook it to water supply and put pressure side hose in the anti freeze bucket, as soon as you see water coming out stop.
We used 5 gallon bucket, did this with hot units so it filled the coils. With a bit of practice and eye can use a bucket of anti freeze all winter before it dilutes too far. With a cold unit it would happen pretty fast.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I used a bottle of pump anti freeze, lube and conditioner it just get sucked in.

What is the difference between RV antifreeze and non RV antifreeze?

 

[cdeer001]

I used a bottle of pump anti freeze, lube and conditioner it just get sucked in.

What is the difference between RV antifreeze and non RV antifreeze?

RV antifreeze is non-toxic and made to be used in plumbing systems.

 

[EOC_Jason]

My manual also said to use the bottle or RV antifreeze... Said regular antifreeze could cause some corrosive reaction? Don't know how, they probably just don't want people dumping regular antifreeze down the sewer.

 

[rcktpwrd]

This seems to work well enough:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Briggs-S...3696&wl11=online&wl12=187733024&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[rlitman]

This seems to work well enough:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Briggs-S...3696&wl11=online&wl12=187733024&wl13=&veh=sem

That aerosol can is convenient, but disposable. Because of that, the price per use is pretty high.

I currently use this one that I got at Walmart, which I refill:

It seems to be discontinued, but this seems to effectively be the same thing:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-Care-12-oz-Pressure-Washer-Pump-Protector-AGPWP03/202277609

 

[David-L]

I had to replace the unloader valve on my pressure washer this summer because it was corroded causing the engine to stall when releasing the trigger. Would flushing the pump with the antifreeze also help prevent that as well?

 

[redmondjp]

I just use regular car antifreeze (new or used, whatever I happen to have at the time). I made an adapter for the inlet of my pump which has a pipe elbow with a vertical ****** sticking straight up. A short piece of automotive heater hose connects that to a funnel, into which I pour the antifreeze. Then I pull the engine starter cord slowly a few revolutions until each cylinder in the pump has the antifreeze inside of it and I see green liquid pouring from the pump output port. Easy-peasy.

 

[sberry]

That works.

 

[gml1998]

Also don't let engine idle too long with out using wand, this can cause pump to over heat (water going through the pump keeps it cool) and cause premature pump wear. Some pressure washers have a thermal bypass to let hot water out during extended idle periods others do not.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I had to replace the unloader valve on my pressure washer this summer because it was corroded causing the engine to stall when releasing the trigger. Would flushing the pump with the antifreeze also help prevent that as well?

Yes...

First, after EVERY use, unhook everything and with the engine turned off (so it won't start) pull the cord 4 or 5 times and you will see it spit out water with each pull. That gets a lot of water out of the pump.

Second, before putting up for long-term, either get one of those cans or get RV/Marine antifreeze. Make up a feed with a piece of old hose and funnel (or just buy the pieces at the big box stores) and fill the tube/funnel and again pull the handle a few times till the antifreeze starts to come out. This displaces the water and also lubes all the orings and such in there.

 

[thool]

Jason nailed it. Emptying the pump after every use reduces the chance of mineral deposits causing issues. I tilt the washer forward to help drain the pump, and use the pump saver fluid if I plan on not using it for a month.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[rcktpwrd]

That aerosol can is convenient, but disposable. Because of that, the price per use is pretty high.

I currently use this one that I got at Walmart, which I refill:

It seems to be discontinued, but this seems to effectively be the same thing:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Power-Care-12-oz-Pressure-Washer-Pump-Protector-AGPWP03/202277609

I haven't seen that style before. I'll have to look into it when I use up the can I have...