Power washer pump freezes?

Mrwurm · Apr 12, 2002

Do those of you living in colder climates winterize your power washer pump? I got my PW out of the barn and used it for the first time last weekend. I can't help but feel frustrated though, that I could'nt use it all winter. My PW has a Comet brand pump on it and the manufacturer recommends that you fill the pump with antifreeze in the winter. They warn that a freeze-up in the pump will damge it and is not covered by warranty. So, I filled it with RV antifreeze and let it sit all winter when I really needed it to remove mud from the cars.

Any thoughts?

Jerry

RobS · Apr 12, 2002

Seems like you could drag it out on a nice winter day (above freezing), use it and then re-winterize it. It probably doesn't take much anti-freeze to fill it, does it? BTW, I've learned from winterizing our camper that RV antifreeze will kill your grass so watch where you spray that thing /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

cowboydoc · Apr 12, 2002

I use mine all winter long. When I'm done using it I just store it in the heated barn. Never had a problem. If you have a shop or even a room in your house that you could store it in you will be fine.

Mrwurm · Apr 12, 2002

I don't have a heated space that I can store it in. I would also be concerned about the fuel vapors. I have thought about wrapping the pump with heat tape. If you're not familiar with heat tape, its electrically heated cord that is used to keep pipes from freezing. I have a laundry tub in my attached garage and the faucet freezes up when I forget to shut it down and drain the pipes in the winter. Maybe I should put some heat tape there too. That way I can use my sink in the winter.

Hey, wait a minute, why am I talking all this 'winter talk', Its spring-time, right?

Jerry

DVerbarg · Apr 12, 2002

<font color=blue>Hey, wait a minute, why am I talking all this 'winter talk', Its spring-time, right?</font color=blue>

Sure its spring, time to start preparing for next winter... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

mikim · Apr 12, 2002

<font color=blue>time to start preparing for next winter</font color=blue>
over 20 years ago I did just that ... moved south!/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif
mike