7 steps for winterizing and storing a pressure washer
The brutally cold winter months can wreak havoc on your pressure washer, causing expensive and sometimes permanent damage to the pump and fuel system. You can prevent freezing temperatures from damaging your pressure washer by following these simple steps.
Shut the pressure washer off and disconnect it from the water supply hose.
Disconnect the pressure hose from the spray gun and the high-pressure outlet on the pump. Drain any water from the hose, the gun and the nozzle extension. Wipe these items dry with a soft cloth.
Pull the recoil on the pressure washer about 6 times to remove any liquid in the pump.
Coil the pressure hose around the hose wrap on the pressure washer accessory tray.
Use Pressure Washer Pump Saver to keep the pistons and seals lubricated and to minimize freezing in the pump. Follow the instructions included with the product.
Drain the gasoline from the fuel tank—your owner's manual has instructions—and run it to burn off any remaining fuel. An alternative is to add fuel stabilizer to the tank of gas, which prevents the fuel from becoming stale and forming gum deposits that can damage the fuel system.
Store the pressure washer in a dry area.
Symptoms for gas pressure washers
Choose a symptom to see related pressure washer repairs.
Main causes: using a high-pressure spray tip when applying detergent, clogged siphon tube, chemical injection system fai…
Main causes: overfilling engine with oil, improper fuel/air mixture, choke system problems, dirty carburetor, engine nee…
Main causes: broken recoil spring, damaged recoil starter…
Main causes: dirty air filter, stale fuel, clogged or dirty carburetor, bad unloader valve…
Main causes: insufficient water supply, clogged water inlet screen, clogged pressure hose, faulty pump check valves, stu…
Main causes: damaged recoil starter, oil inside cylinder, locked up engine piston…
Main causes: faulty unloader valve, bad pressure regulator…
Main causes: stale fuel, gummed up carburetor, engine needs tune up, throttle and choke controls need adjustment, bad re…
Main causes: pump running for more than 5 minutes when the spray wand isn't being used, faulty pressure relief valve, ba…
Repair guides for gas pressure washers
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your pressure washer.
How to install a pressure washer check valve kit
Air in the inlet water supply can damage the check valves. If the pump won’t build up pressure due to damaged check valv…
How to install a pressure washer O-ring kit
O-rings seal fittings on the pressure washer pump. Damaged seals allow water to leak from the pump. Follow these steps t…
How to install a pressure washer chemical injection kit
The chemical injection valve draws detergent into the pump. If it’s not drawing detergent, use a repair kit to replace t…
Articles and videos for gas pressure washers
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your pressure washer.
Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…
Spray tips vary in pressure and angle of spray. This guide matches the spray tip to the cleaning job.…
Learn how to solve simple pressure washer problems.…