Pressure Washer

[ariscus]

I have a pressure washer that a buddy left with me when he moved up north and couldn't store it anymore. He told me to feel free to use it, but it has sat for about 2 years unused. Other than swapping out the fuel, is there anything I should do before I fire it up, or things I should look for? It's not mine so I don't want to mess it up, and am a little worried by how long it's been sitting, I don't know if any seals are dried up or what little things to look for. It's about a 5 year old Craftsman 2700 psi with a 850 B&S engine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brownbagg]

make sure there oil in it

 

[ariscus]

make sure there oil in it

I guess I should have said that as well, that was one of the ones that was on par in my mind with swapping the 2 year old gas. But thanks for looking out for me.

 

[Kevin54]

If it won't work when you fire it up, shut it off and take the handle and nozzle off of the hose and see it water runs through. If it does, then take the handle and check it all out and see if water squirts through it. If water doesn't come through, then look at the handle, and you may have to tear it apart because spiders will build a web and nest in them. If water does squirt through it but no real pressure, make sure the knob for the pump is turned up.

 

[davidlee]

If it won't fire up try using a product called Sea Foam in the new gas. I will help remove any varinsh left from the old fuel. The stuff is great.

 

[ariscus]

I haven't tried to fire it up yet, I wanted to make sure there is nothing pre-startup I could do to insure nothing bad will happen to this borrowed machine.

 

[DIC]

When you get it running don't let it run without spraying.. It will burn up the pump.

 

[IndyGarage]

I always hook up the water, turn it on, and pull the trigger on the spray nozzle and let the water run until there is no more air in the lines before I start the engine.

Notice how little water is actually passing through the nozzle.

Otherwise you'll get cavitation as the air passes through the system and the pump will surge - I've seen them blow seals if they surge too much.

The other thing to watch out for is not to let the engine run for too long at high pressure without pulling the trigger and releasing the water. The water cools the pump as it goes through. If you let it sit there and recirculate it will get really hot and if the pump doesn't have a thermal valve on it it will burn up. (oops thats what he said right above me)