Winterize a Gas Pressure Washer: 8 Step Guide
Published:
1/27/2022
Just like anything else you buy, a phone, computer, vehicle, etc., it’s important to take care of it. Buying a pressure washer is no different. During the warmer seasons, maintenance is pretty easy, but during the off-season (winter), winterizing your pressure washer is the most important thing to remember.
Thinking you can just store your pressure washer in a shed, a warehouse, or your garage without the proper care could cost you a lot of money. The good news is, you can easily prevent this from happening. Don’t spend money on repairs or a new machine, when you can follow this easy 8 step process to winterize your pressure washer.
View the steps to winterize your gas pressure washer for a Hotsy, RAMTEQ, or HydroTek.
Winterize a Hotsy Gas Pressure Washer - Antifreeze
Before winterizing your pressure washer check that you have antifreeze and fuel stabilizer! Always check the user manual for winterizing your pressure washer or if you have any questions consult with the manufacturer or contact NorTex Sales & Services and ask an expert.
Winterizing a Hotsy Pressure Washer With No Float Tank:
1. Prepare a gallon jug (with hose connection) of antifreeze. Connect the garden hose inlet fitting to the pressure washer inlet.
2. Connect a trigger gun to your pressure washer.
3. Turn the gallon jug valve on so the antifreeze can flow into the machine.
4. Turn the machine on, wait roughly 30 seconds, then press and hold the trigger gun until you see the antifreeze. Then press and release the trigger gun a few times to make sure the antifreeze gets into the bypass system.
Tip: You can aim the trigger gun into the gallon jug or a new clean bucket and reuse the antifreeze. If you decide to reuse the antifreeze, consider using a filter (an old t-shirt) to make sure no debris or small particles end up in the bucket.
5. Run antifreeze through the system for a good minute or until you see the antifreeze spray out of the trigger gun.
6. Turn off the gallon jug valve.
7. Turn off the machine. Press the trigger gun to relieve the pressure.
8. Disconnect the garden hose from the machine and prepare it for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterizing a Hotsy Pressure Washer with a Float Tank:
Before winterizing your pressure washer check that you have antifreeze and fuel stabilizer! Always check the user manual for winterizing your pressure washer or if you have any questions consult with the manufacturer or contact NorTex Sales & Services and ask an expert.
1. Remove the cover from the float tank.
2. Pour the antifreeze (a funnel may help make this process easier) into the float tank until it is full.
3. Turn the machine on.
4. Let the machine run for 30 seconds, turn it off, add more antifreeze, turn the machine on for 30 seconds, turn it off, add more antifreeze.
5. Turn the machine on, press the trigger gun until you see the antifreeze.
Tip: After you see the antifreeze spray out of the trigger gun, press and release the trigger gun a few times to make sure the antifreeze enters the bypass system.
6. Turn the machine off.
7. Press the trigger gun to relieve the pressure.
8. Cover the float tank and prepare the machine for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterize a RAMTEQ Gas Pressure Washer
Before winterizing your pressure washer check that you have antifreeze and fuel stabilizer! Always check the user manual for winterizing your pressure washer or if you have any questions consult with the manufacturer or contact NorTex Sales & Services and ask an expert.
Winterizing a RAMTEQ Pressure Washer - Non-Float Tank:
1. Prepare a jug or bucket of antifreeze.
2. Connect a garden hose to the water inlet connection on the machine.
3. Remove the pressure nozzle from the wand and insert the short garden hose end into a container of antifreeze.
4. Place the wand into the antifreeze container.
5. Turn machine on.
6. Run the machine until antifreeze appears from the end of the wand.
7. Turn the machine off.
8. Replace the pressure nozzle and prepare the machine for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterizing a RAMTEQ Pressure Washer - Float Tank:
1. Remove the cover from the float tank.
2. Pour the antifreeze (using a funnel may make the process easier) into the float tank until it is full.
3. Remove the water nozzle from the end of the wand and insert it into the opening of the float tank.
4. Turn the machine on.
5. Run antifreeze through the machine until antifreeze has circulated throughout the machine.
6. Turn the machine off.
7. Cover the float tank.
8. Prepare the machine for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterize a HydroTek Gas Pressure Washer
Before winterizing your pressure washer check that you have antifreeze and fuel stabilizer! Always check the user manual for winterizing your pressure washer or if you have any questions consult with the manufacturer or contact NorTex Sales & Services and ask an expert.
Winterizing a HydroTek Pressure Washer - Non-Float Tank:
1. Prepare a gallon with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
2. Use a 5’ garden hose to connect to the machine.
Tip: Use compressed air to blow out the unit until no water comes out of the discharge.
3. Draw the antifreeze mix into the machine.
4. Turn the machine on.
5. Run until antifreeze appears at the high-pressure outlet.
6. Turn the machine off.
7. Remove garden hose and prepare for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterizing a HydroTek Pressure Washer - Float Tank:
1. Prepare a gallon with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
2. Remove the cover of the float tank.
3. Add antifreeze to the float tank until it is full.
Tip: If the unit is equipped with a blowout valve, it may be blown out with compressed air in addition to using antifreeze to winterize the pressure washer.
4. Turn machine on.
5. Run until antifreeze appears at the high-pressure outlet.
6. Turn the machine off.
7. Cover the float tank and prepare for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterize Your pressure washer - hire an expert
Not really sure how to winterize your pressure washer, don’t have time or the tools, or your equipment is at out shop being repaired, don’t worry!
NorTex Sales & Service can winterize your pressure washer for you. Bring your equipment to us or schedule a service call for us to come to you.
We are located in Dallas (214-630-7310), Kilgore (903-984-0099), and Odessa (432-653-1784).
Hours of operation for our Dallas and Odessa locations are Monday - Friday 7 am - 4 pm and Saturday 8 am - 12 pm. Hours of operation for our Kilgore location are Monday - Friday 7 am - 4 pm.
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