How to run antifreeze through a power washer?


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Old 09-23-18, 06:44 AM
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How to run antifreeze through a power washer?

According to youtube, attach a hose filled with antifreeze to the water inlet and pull the chord (without running the engine), and antifreeze will flow through. Not so with my power washer. Advice please.
 
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Old 09-23-18, 09:33 AM
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I never knew you were supposed to winterize a pressure washer until reading it on the forums a number of years ago. What I've always done is to pull the rope a few times after the water is disconnected to expel any water left in the pump. I always disconnect/remove the hose/wand when I finish [before expelling the water] This method has worked well for me for over 40 yrs.
 
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Old 09-23-18, 06:25 PM
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What does the mfg. recommend? I never use antifreeze unless it is of the RV type.
Geo
 
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Old 09-24-18, 03:37 AM
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You would use RV antifreeze.
Connect a short hose to pressure washer like a clotheswasher hose.
Hold the hose above the washer and fill with antifreeze then put end into antifreeze container.
Start pressure washer and hold wand trigger open until antifreeze comes out of wand.
Once you get antifreeze out of wand with washer running release trigger to allow pump to bypass which will protect bypass valve from freezing.

You should be able to winterize a washer with about a half gallon of antifreeze.
 
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Old 09-24-18, 08:41 AM
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Every pump I have ever owned has a drain plug?
 
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Old 09-25-18, 07:07 AM
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Removing a plug won't get out the water trapped in the cylinders (fragile ceramic pistons) or the regulator. Brass cracks easily when water freezes inside and (good) pumps are expensive to replace.
 
 

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