Pressure Washer Pump Repair

Of course it goes without saying that preventative maintenance will extend the useful life of a pump and make it less likely that you will need to perform costly pressure washer pump repair at some point.

Adhering to product specifications and using pressure washers within the limits of their intended use along with following a maintenance plan will significantly prolong the life of your pump. The less complicated the design shown on the pressure washer pump diagram the better.

There are those that would argue that, depending on the age and condition of the machine, it may not be worth the effort to rebuild pressure washer pump. Especially since you can probably pick up an excellent new pressure washer at Home Depot or Costco for a very reasonable price. Others like to keep their old reliable tools for decades and will do anything they can to keep them going.

Diagnosing the Problem

Most pressure washer pump problems is covered in the troubleshooting section of the service manual, most will even have a section with a diagnosis chart for easy reference. This is often followed by a handy preventative maintenance check-list of things to do as a means of periodic servicing. Some manufacturers have even gone so far as to produce and distribute videos on DVD which illustrate both maintenance tasks and common repairs.

One common problem is sometimes the unloader valve can freeze up which is caused by mineral, mostly calcium deposits that are a result of these minerals being present in water. Fortunately this is a simple problem to diagnose and remedy for most users. You will need a manufacturer approved o-ring kit and a pressure gauge to repair the valve and have it properly seated.

It is always good practice to monitor system pressure and take note of any significant drop. Regular visual inspections of the pump, valves, inlet and outlet, and fittings is highly recommended. The maintenance intervals will differ depending on the duty-cycle, pressure limit, temperature inlet conditions, and other factors. Proper pump selection and installation will eliminate many potential problems, but it does not obviate the need for ongoing maintenance. Keep to the scheduled maintenance tasks, don't wait for it to breakdown and you will enhance the effectiveness and prolong the life of your machine.

In addition to maintaining the gaskets, valves and providing new pressure washer pump oil to the system, it is critical to ensure that other parts of the overall pumping system including fittings and connections for leaks, hoses for cracks, relief valves and safety regulators. If your system is belt driven then you also need to check it for excess wear and to make sure it complies with the manufacturer's spec for the correct tension. Keep a maintenance check list to and update it regularly. This will be one of the most important things you can do for the continuous operation for many years to come.