Pressure washer storage

[Jeff423]

I got a good deal ($50) on a gas powered pressure washer because it leaked. It leaked because the pump was cracked. I got a new pump for $90 so now I have a $140 pressure washer.
When winter comes I can't store it inside due to space limitations. I can take the hose and wand inside. But how do I get all the water out of the pump? Compressed air, run it dry, (I hate to run pumps dry) or fill it with antifreeze? I could also take the pump off the gas engine and put it inside, which is actually very easy to do.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[cass]

Mine stays in a unheated barn during the Winter. I just drain the gas, and turn the pump over to drain - from both ports. I always give the insides a heavy dose of WD-40 before I cap the ports. After eight years, still works like new.

 

[tacreload]

Jeff use the siphon fitting to draw RV antifreeze through it.when you see the antifreeze coming out in a solid stream shut it down you are done and ready for winter.

 

[Hodgin]

I had a pump freeze and crack several years ago. I store my washer in an outdoor shed and use Excel Pump Protector Winterizer and haven't had problems. I also use a fuel stablizer for the gas. I couldn't find a link at Home Depot but I buy mine at the local HD. May not carry it this time of year.

EXA 80 PUMP PROTECTOR WINTERIZER 4 OZ

 

[Salty RI]

Jeff use the siphon fitting to draw RV antifreeze through it.when you see the antifreeze coming out in a solid stream shut it down you are done and ready for winter.

I used to do the same thing, I gave it to my son five years ago, I'm willing to bet it doesn't run any more.

 

[Rule3]

Even if you live in a non freeze area use the compressed can mentioned above when storing a pressure pump. The minerals left when the water evaporates will clog it it up. The o rings will dry out,

Take of the pressure hose,(drain the hose) screw the little can with fitting on and spray some in the input until it comes out.. You can use it several times.

Run gas with stable in it. Run it dry, drain the float bowl. Remove spark plug,put some 2 cycle oil in spark plug hole. pull the cord to coat it. Put plug back in.

 

[wraco]

My pressure washer is Honda one I bought 14 years ago . . I leave it on the rear sundeck most of the time. . Some winters it can get down to freezing at nights for a week or two, but I never done anything with it other than put a canvas cover over it . Don`t even drain the gas or put in stabilizer. . It fires every spring with no leaks. . This year I had to repair the squeeze handle but that`s about it.

Rod

 

[Hodgin]

Rod,
One of my cousins and her husband live in the Blue Ridge Mountains in a resort. High up and it gets pretty cold. Lots of snow and ice. Last fall we visited them and I noticed his washer outside with a tarp over it. Asked him what he did in the winter. He's does nothing but keep the tarp on it. No problems.

I live in a much milder climate and the first winter I didn't winterize the pump froze. My guess is the low to mid 20s is as cold as it got and mine was in a shed. Guess luck plays a role.

 

[gdnagle]

Got a craftsman P/W and use the Sears pump winterize and conditioner. It pushes the water out and lubes everything in the pup for the next year. Mine stays in the garage which is only heated when I'm working out there. Haven't had a problem and it's been in some cold winters. One can last me two years.

 

[goldenlight]

Don't forget to put gas stabilizer in the gas tank, and run it so it gets into the carburetor. With gas engines that get used relatively little, I would just put Sta-Bil in the gas can for that engine, so you won't get a gummed up carburetor from old gasoline. New, fresh gasoline is only good for about 6 weeks in the summer. Longer in the winter, but it still breaks down. Sta-Bil is cheap insurance.

Note that Sta-Bil itself has a 2 year shelf life. Don't buy the big container if you won't use all of it. The 'big' container, found at Walmart and auto parts stores, will stabilize 80 gallons of gasoline for a year. It holds about a quart, IIRC.

 

[litenlarry]

Jeff use the siphon fitting to draw RV antifreeze through it.when you see the antifreeze coming out in a solid stream shut it down you are done and ready for winter.

I do this as well, also the RV antifreeze keeps the seals lubed..Or so I am told...

 

[gjamison]

This is simple, just remove both hoses. It will self drain, reason it cracked in the first place was the hoses were not removed. Never used antifreeze and I leave in the north.

 

[Jeff423]

Thanks for all the replies. I put Sta-Bil in all my small engines year round so I have that covered but I'll check on some of the conditioners/antifreezes mentioned.

Jeff