PowerWashing

A blog related to power washing for industrial and residential purposes

Pressure Washer Pump: Types and Replacement

The water pump is considered as the most important part of any pressure washer, whether electric or gas-powered. The pressure washer pump adds pressure to the water it receives from the garden hose. It then sends this high-pressure water out in terms of PSI (pounds per square inch), which does the cleaning of the surface. Water pumps are generally durable and last long even for prolong use, which means repair or replacement is not frequently needed. In fact, most pressure washer problems are not because of a malfunctioning water pump.

A pressure washer pump consists of a crankcase or housing that is attached to the motor and a manifold. To pump out the water from the source and to send it out through the wand and spray gun, the pump has water inlet, check valves, and outlet valves. To make sure the pump is running well, the type of pump oil used should be correct. The oil level should also be just above the inside parts of the water pump. If the pump needs to be replaced, an exact match should be used as replacement. A pump with higher PSI and GPM (gallons per minute) can damage the hose and the pressure washer.

Types of Pressure Washer Pumps

Once the pump stops working, it is not always necessary to purchase a new pressure washer. In most cases, if the other parts of the machine are still in good working condition, replacing the pump is highly recommended because it is lot cheaper than buying a new pressure washer. There are three types of pumps, but not all of them are replaceable.

  • Wobble water pumps – Usually used on basic models or homeowner machines, such pumps are cheap but have poor quality. A wobble pump consists of an offset plate with several pistons pushing against it that causes the pump to wobble. However, it is only around 70% efficient because of the piston spring resistance on every stroke. Besides the fact such pumps usually last around 300 working hours only, they are not replaceable. They are not also suitable for frequent users.
  • Axial cam water pumps – This type of pump is much more powerful and reliable than wobble because they have larger bearings and oil tanks reservoirs. This allows them to generate more PSI and GPM, and therefore run more efficiently than wobble pumps. Despite have a design similar to a wobble pump, an axial pump can last for about 600-700 hours before service is required. However, they are still not that efficient for heavy duty jobs because of piston spring resistance.
  • Triplex plunger pumps – This type has the highest quality among all types of pumps, but is the most expensive. Triplex pumps are designed for prolong and frequent heavy duty cleaning tasks. Repair of triplex pumps is easy and require less cost. However, repair can be frequent because of its ability to maintain pressure, which can also lose its momentum in the long run.

Briggs & Stratton 202274GS Pressure Washer Pump Assembly

The Briggs & Stratton 202274GS pump for pressure washers is manufactured by Annovi Reverberi and is compatible with many models and brands of pressure washers. This axial pump, which is an upgraded version of the Briggs & Stratton 200303GS pump, is made from steel and has stainless steel plungers. All its parts are genuine. Its maximum pumping speed is 3,400 RPM, while its maximum discharge pressure is 2,400 PSI. The water inlet port measures ¾” (garden hose) and the output port is 22 mm. The shaft diameter is 7/8” (Hollow), and the maximum volume capacity is 2.2 GPM.

This Briggs & Stratton pump assembly is designed for easy installation. To install, remove the old pump, line up the rectangular steel “key” on the shaft with the slot on the new pump. Then, press on and secure the pump to the bottom of the unit by aligning the three bolt holes and bold them. This pump is completely sealed and pre lubricated, so no oiling is required during installation as long as the shaft is clean. However, some of those people who bought this pump claim that removal of the old pump can be hard because the existing nuts and bolts are in Metric, not English.

Among its key features include a built-in unloader and chemical injector, along with a built-in easy start valve. Weighing 6.45 pounds, the product comes with oil and an operation manual that has detailed explanation of its usage. No technical expertise is required for users. However, some users claim that installation needs help during the removal of the old pump. Nevertheless, the price is reasonable, especially if it is compared with the price of a new pressure washer.