THE BIG SECRET! You're destroying your pressure washer and you don't even know it! (HOW TO VLOG)

Thanks for tuning back into Chickanic! Every year we get in over 2,000 pieces of equipment, but many of those end up not being repaired. Most of the time customers will leave their broken units so we end up with TONS of winter projects! MANY of those are pressure washers with bad pumps. What I just realized though, is many of you don't know this secret to keeping your pressure washer pump lasting WAY longer!

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My name is Bre. I took two years of small engine repair at the local college. When I left school, I fell into a wonderful job at a local small engine shop where I worked the counter for a couple years. In 2010 my husband and I opened up our own small engine shop in central Arkansas where I am able to work alongside my family and best friends. We see over 2,000 pieces of equipment every year, and answer 1,000's of small engine questions. We specialize in brands such as Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Echo and Shindaiwa, but work everyday on MANY other brands like Stihl, Husqvarna, Honda, Craftsman, Remington, Red Max, Troy Bilt, Scag, Bad Boy, Hustler, World Lawn, Poulan, Mantis, Etc.. Hopefully, my experience I share, will save you Time, Money and Frustration in the future!

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Although very informative, these videos are for entertainment purposes. Please use all possible safety precautions when repairing and operating your small engine equipment.

[devinbraun]

I grew up doing a lot of pressure washing in a dairy farm. My dad taught me
as a kid to always keep the trigger compressed. Working with my dad as a kid around animals, large/dangerous equipment, machine/metal shop, chemicals, electricity, etc.. has imprinted an awful lot of good useful info in my mind at a formative age. Fairly often I get involved in fixing something or doing a big DIY project and my wife/kids/friends ask, “how do you know how to do that?” The answer is usually “my dad.”

[secondmanup]

I’m a fireman. Our pumps do the same thing. They get very hot from the friction of the centrifugal pump impeller slamming into water molecules. We use recirculating valves but you’d be shocked at how hot the water gets. I’ll put my bare hand on the casting to get sense of it. Water will come out of the pump steaming on a cold day. Cool video and good info.

[Jecoleman]

Dad had his for over 20 years, never had a problem. The pump finally failed after he retired because he couldn't run the machine like he was supposed to. Getting old sucks sometimes. Thanks for getting this information out to the public.

[jeffmonroe]

As a pressure washer owner of many (failed pumps) now I know why just thought they were cheap pumps . It was definitely operator error. Thanks for this info!!!! See if my new one lasts a little longer. Great video !!!

[JohnDaker_singer]

I've had a Simpson pressure washer with a Honda engine for over 10 years, and I use it at least monthly. I have beaten the bejesus out of the thing, often starting it without the water running, leaving it idling for extended periods, forgetting to change the oil, and letting it sit outside in the elements. It still runs like a champ. When it dies, I'll buy another just like it.

[kevin]

I don't know how many I've burned up over the years. Guys don't read instructions or directions. We like to figure things out ourselves. Thankfully we have a great teacher we can watch on YouTube to educate and free us from being ignorant about things we believe to know but really don't as much as we should. Watching a channel that provides wisdom, knowledge and understanding and seeing a pretty cheerleader all at the same time is great.

[presidentgateway]

After burning up my gas washer, I replaced it with an electric washer.
I love it. 100% pleased with it.
One good reason is that when I release the handle and stop spraying, the motor stops. So it will not burn up the pump no matter how long I let the handle sit while I tend to other chores.

[lonniekennedy]

I just got my pressure washer back from the shop having a bad carburetor. Now I know that was my fault from listening to other episodes. This episode will keep me from making another more costly mistake. Great content Chickanic! Thanks again!!!

[Ray-ksxp]

I’ll have to admit I’m one of those that didn’t read the material so, I got rid of a fairly new pressure washer. Wish I’d seen this a year or so ago. Thanks for the information, you are truly a gem. 👌

[wattheheck]

Ah may zingg! Miss Bre, you have THE BEST videos on small engine maintenance and repairs. Thank you!!!

[charlestidwell]

It's almost a design flaw engineered into the unit. I don't let mine idle for any time at all, now. Because the ignition is immediate I will shut it off, and re-start it to save the pump from damage. This tip alone will save a lot of frustration and money for many folks, thanks.

[davidmonteil]

Thank you for caring enough to share time and money saving truth.

[JohnSpaulding]

While I understand the principle behind it, there should be a recirculating valve built into these. I’m a firefighter and whenever the pump is engaged I have the recirc engaged and will top off my tank if connected to a water supply. Crucial even in our winters. I never gave it a thought with my pressure washer (I rebuilt the pump- piece of cake, when I bought it from someone who had either burned it up or left it in the sub freezing temps). Either way, they should spend a little more on the design. DeWalt just came out with an electric model and I wonder if that has the same warning. Anyway, that’s a pro tip and a signal to the manufacturers they are doing a disservice to their customers. Thanks for the video. Nice work.

[luisp]

Great info thanks for sharing. I had a great used pump that I used for many years that was destroyed when I let a friend use it. He did the right thing and bought me a new one. Now he wants to use it again and I said no you’ll just damage it again. I told him that I would do it for him instead because I know that he doesn’t have the patience to use correctly. To me that was the best option and after watching your video you explained what was destroying the washer and how to prevent it. Thanks again

[Robnord]

Thank you very much. I've burned up 2-3 PWs like this and 1 due to freezing.
I believe the mfrs could easily design pumps to avoid this problem, but leave them as they are to ensure early failure, thus sell more new units.

[mumbles]

The best way to ruin a friendship is done by loaning your pressure washer out.

[cottydry]

The pump manufacturers need to put in a low pressure/low flow trigger setting just to keep a nominal amount of flow during the idle times.

[Gunbucket]

I have that exact same washer. I read that part in the instructions about never let the pump run for more than a minute without depressing the trigger. Very important.

[davidwells]

I bought my pressure washer used - with no owners manual. I found this video thinking, “it’s just a pressure washer - what could go wrong?”. So, I watched and learned. Thank you so much for this information! I did know enough to drain all the water out and run the gas out of the carb before putting it up for the winter, so I’m not totally hopeless. 😛

[radiotubes]

You go girl. I find so many by the curb with damaged pumps.ty for the notice