Not specifically, switch off, our water off, unplug hose connection and unplug the pressure hose and drain water from pressure washer gun and hose and any water that self drains from pressure washer itself - always done this, not had any issues
My Nilfisk P150 is just left to drain once the hose is removed from the inlet. I don't know of a better way as the manual doesn't specify a method. If I needed to store in freezing temps, I would wrap with a blanket or similar to try and protect from the worst of the cold.
I do. Disconnect the hose and then turn on the power until the water stops running. In that time I can disconnect the gun and stow away, so about 30 seconds to do. I think I read to do that when I bought my Nilfisk, and it's just a habit I've got into.
Yes. I don't regard any time of year as safe. I remember it freezing in June one year. I was fishing for the week and we were all in sleeping and survival bags.
I disconnect the water supply connector and the lance connector then run the machine for a few seconds. I have found this to be ok for most machines but some water outlets allow water to remain inside so with the portable types I physically pick it up and orientate/rock the machine to remove any water from the outlet and pump whilst it is running.
With my hot washer the pump outlets are horizontal and any water drains out when it is run so I disconnect the hoses and run the machine for 30 seconds until the tank has drained and no more water appears at the outlet.
If I am not using something for a while then I have hoses that loop from outlet to inlet and prime the machine with anti freeze solution and pump it round. Then plug the outlet to the inlet. This seems to keep any valves from corroding and sticking which I have always found to be a problem with Karcher machines and necessitates an unnecessary strip down.
I always try to keep machines inside but sometimes you have to leave one in the van or shed somewhere.
I'm not sure that this will have any effect on the important part - the pump.
Draining the hose, the gun and the supply hose may well be good practice but how can we drain the pump without running it dry and hence probably damaging it as it relies on the water to cool / lubricate internal parts?
I think, and this is my method, to protect the pw it needs to be moved from or protected from an environment that is susceptible to frost
My Nilfisk instructions state that the gun and inlet hose should be disconnected, and the machine run until dry with the power on. Takes about 15 seconds.
My Nilfisk instructions state that the gun and inlet hose should be disconnected, and the machine run until dry with the power on. Takes about 15 seconds.
Absolutely, Running it 'dry' for a few seconds will not hurt it, running it dry for minutes at a time will.... My nilfisk e140 has been ran dry for 30 mins once, came back to a garage full of smoke......yet strangely a fully working pressure washer, that was 3 years ago
'Cheaper' Pumps may not be so fortunate though, so do at your own discretion
When finished with my PW, I turn it off, turn water off, unplug the hose and press the trigger on the gun to drain what's left of the water in the system.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Detailing World Forum
5.8M posts
94.4K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to UK-based automotive detailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about methods, materials, equipment, restoration, classifieds, troubleshooting, and more!