The basic recommendation is to clean or replace the air filter every 25 hours or once a year. Change it every 200 hours of use or every two years. A safe and secure location is essential for overnight storage to prevent damage caused by weather or vandalism. This is essential if you are going to store the unit for a long time or until the following season. Months of exposure to the elements can erode plastic and rubber elements that will need to be replaced when you are ready to use the unit again.
Use common sense and consider if your work environment is excessively full of debris. If so, clean or change the air filter more often. The foam air filter should be soaked with clean engine oil every 3 months or every 50 hours of use (10 hours in dusty conditions), whichever comes first. Otherwise, a dry or oil-free air filter will only be able to trap large particles.
Pump oil once a year or every 500 hours. Hotsy pressure washers are highly reliable, but all mechanical devices need maintenance and all systems break down over time. If you notice any of these symptoms the next time you start the pressure washer, start solving the problem with the filters. Inlet filters for pressure washers are made of fine cylindrical mesh, usually enclosed in a threaded brass connection, which is located where the garden hose connects to the pressure washer.
Water intake filters prevent dirt accumulated by water in the water supply hose from entering the pressure washer and interrupting the flow.
Electric pressure
washers require less regular maintenance, as they have no motor and use electricity as a power source. You wouldn't go months without changing your car's oil and air filter, and you shouldn't with your pressure washer either. Storing your pressure washer properly goes a long way toward achieving optimal operation when you're ready to use it again.Proper preparation for winter protects the internal seals and the piping system, so that the pressure washer can operate when you're ready to use it. When enough dirt from the water supply accumulates in the inlet filter, the water pressure will drop markedly. Remove the air filter cover by lifting a tab or unscrewing a nut in the shape of a butterfly, depending on the model of your pressure washer. If the system will be exposed to freezing temperatures, consider adding a pump protector for pressure washing and follow the instructions on the label.
A dirty air filter could overheat the pressure washer, damage the unit, allow dirt and debris to enter the engine and cause damage. Hotsy Carlson is available in Austin, Bryan and Killeen when it's time to service pressure washers. Because the water or detergent that passes through the pressure washer is under such high pressure, the nozzles and hoses are vulnerable to degradation over time. Before you begin, a little attention can protect you, your pressure washer and your projects.
Fortunately, your pressure washer will make it pretty obvious when there's a problem with either type of filter.
