Can It Be Saved? Junked Pressure Washer From The Garbage. 

Use a small die grinder or Foredom/Dremel with a 1/8" burr to dig out that crack in the pump housing, and follow up by filling with aluminim brazing rod (Hobart is good, as is the Harbor Freight version). Propane or MAPP will work great. Be sure to remove all rubber/plastic seals from the housing first. TIG and filler rod will work well too. C'mon--you can save this thing! The pump uses a rotating 'swash plate' to actuate the three pistons. A very simple and efficient way of creating high pressure.

Mustie! I was able to diagnose and fix my non-running log splitter yesterday because of watching videos like yours. I specifically remember feeling completely in the dark a few years ago trying to fix a lawnmower that wouldn’t start. I just had no idea what I was looking at. Feels really good to understand how these machines work. Thanks for the awesome content. Makes a big difference for people like me.

Mustie, I've started buying ethanol free gas for all my yard equipment, they're running better than ever now. Thanks for all the lessons of no-start, bad gas carbs you've worked on in the past. You ROCK !

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! Love your videos and step by step explanations. I was able to fix a power washer for a friend. It had been sitting for years and would not start. The gas went bad and the clogged all the port holes. Your video has kept another fine working piece of machinery out of a landfill, and you saved them tons of money. Cheers! Keep up the great work.

I found this exact pressure washer thrown out last year and I was able to fixed it from watching your videos. You the man Mustie!

The brass part on the pump is the unloader valve. Usually when they fail, the engine will run and spray normally, but the engine will stall when you release the trigger. The unloader takes the high pressure output and circulates it back to the inlet

MUSTIE!! This past summer I was able to flip so many mowers and snowblowers! Thanks to your videos I made over 300 dollars just selling push and self propelled mowers. I am gonna get a new air compressor now because my 3 gallon one just won’t cut it. Thank you for all of your free educational content.

Thanks for another Sunday treat and a timely reminder of how store stuff safe for the winter. Thanks again from the UK, stay safe.

I’m answered a Craigslist ad with the same pressure washer, a 3600 watt generator, and two electric motors; all for $50.00. The pump on the pressure washer was broken in two places with pump housing pieces missing, a non-starter. I pulled the engine and installed it on a 22” Ariens walk-behind weed eaters. After cleaning the carb the engine fired right away but was revving way too high. I could slow the motor by moving the governor arm but it would max out as soon as I let it go; no governor control. I removed the engine, drained the oil, and removed the sump cover, sure enough the governor had come apart. I simply removed all of the governor parts and pieces using a magnet in all the nooks and crannies, replaced the oil slinger, and bolted up the sup cover. Once the engine was reinstalled on the weed eater I installed a throttle control in place of the governor and fired it up. What a beast, 7.75 horsepower, weeds don’t stand a chance! Darlington, South Carolina

Mustie1's new video pops up. my thoughts - please be a small engine pressure washer not electric, please please please and volia! Your small engine repair videos are the best on youtube, I can't wait to watch it! Lots of people do restore videos, but they are silent and i get bored so quickly. It's your personality and charisma that really makes your videos so good. I feel like you are bringing us along every time and thats awesome.

I have to wonder how many times, you've picked up something off the curb of someone who watches your videos and they go "Seriously that's all it was!" 😆

Don't leave us hanging like that Mustie. We won't be happy without at least an attempt to fix that leak. Keep up the great work 👍

Nice Mustie. This was like a back to basics carb workings vid. I was one of those guys who let the pump freeze over last winter. I had to bite the bullet and buy a $70 ebay pump. Slapped it on and I was up and running again. Great vid as always.

Briggs Engine Tip that MAY be helpful. I have repaired 100's of Briggs engines. The top problem (not the problem on this engine) I have found with most of them that don't want to start and stay running (with this style of bowl nut/metering valve) is that they get clogged up with debris from the fuel tank. Note: ONE grain of sand will clog the metering jet and cause the engine to starve for fuel and either not run at all or perform poorly due to lack of proper fuel flow. Just blowing air through it will not always show a clogged metering jet. 1: I always clean and rinse the fuel tank. 2: I visually make sure you can see through the cross hole in the bowl nut. 3: I rinse the cross hole with brake clean and then block off one side of the cross hole and run some more brake clean through the open side of the cross hole to ensure that fuel will actually travel through the cross hole and up through the metering jet. If the brake clean doesn't provide a nice flow of fluid out the center hole in the end of the bowl nut/metering valve you may have to find a small piece of wire (i.e. like you find on you loaf of bread) and remove the colored plastic from the wire. Insert the wire down the center hole to clear any debris from the metering jet. After the wire is inserted you should be able to see it bottom out on the inside of the cross hole. Be careful that the cleaning wire is not to large and not to force it into the jet hole as it may enlarge the jet hole and ruin the proper fuel delivery ratio to the engine. John

You always work your magic!.......so relaxing to watch......... I even learned a bit from you on your last Pressure washer.......fixed my own.....thank you again!

Worst case scenario, you take it to a welding shop to get TIG welded. The low temp brazing rod approach the other brothers mentioned is also a good way to fix it. The pump is definitely saveable. Thanks again for the great vids. Rev. D.

I was thinking maybe braze the pump, or use some of that aluminum aloy rod and use a propane torch to seal that crack

You might be able to fix that crack using low temperature ali' brazing rod, I've managed to fix a few things with this stuff! You would need to 'vee' out the crack then heat it up with a MAP gas torch then apply the rod. It would make for a good video. In fact where the crack is located is already forming a vee anyway.

I immediately noticed the bowl, how great is viewer vision😆🤣😆🤣😆🤣. The tempo and speeding up modes you apply are just right in my opinion. As always learned loads. Thanks for sharing. Joe.

This was a very informative video. You did a good job showing and explaining in detail how this works. It'll be easier for me to troubleshoot and repair my small engine devices. Thanks..

I am a computer geek and on a day to day basis, I really don't care about engines... But then mustie comes in on Sunday and I'm drawn in and my brain says show me more. Due to this channel, my Sundays start with mustie and a large cup of coffee. A great way to start my Sunday. Keep up the great work mustie.

Was I the only one expecting some aluminium welding? 🤔 Yet again nicely explained, thanks 😁. Regards Tiny, Lincolnshire, UK 🇬🇧

Thanks Mustie! Always wanted to crack one of those open and see what makes it tick. Was afraid there was a high pressure spring in there that I’d never get back together right. That really scratched an itch for me. Loved it!

Awesome videos bud. Clear, very informative. Thanks for your efforts and please continue. Cheers good man 👍👍😀

I am so glad that where I live winters are mild.

The "wobble cam" is called a swash plate. The cracked pump housing... a TIG welder will fix that.

Nice way to enjoy my morning. Thank you Mustie1. I await your next project.

I enjoyed the carb explanaition. I realize that you have done this many times but I understood it better today. We are all here for the wrenchin' but I get a lot out of your explanaitions and theory side. Thank you for making these videos!

Who else enjoys waking up at 5 am MDT on Sunday to check for new Mustie1 content?

Pump heads are available for about $70. Kind of kills the “free” part but still a good deal for a good running pressure washer.

This is why i like mustie1 vids. He actually takes the time to show and explain how things work.

I watch all your videos because you are the best,nothing will stop you,you seem like a nice guy too,keep it up.

Best part what a good way to start the week!

Harbor freight has aluminum braising rods that really do work that’s what I would do to fix the pump

I learned more about power equipment carbs from this video than in my 30 years of life. I humbly thank you friend!

good tip on the winterizing adapter. Amazon sells exactly what you described. I need to take care of that before it gets cold here.

I think this would be a perfect candidate for trying to repair by using "No Weld" aluminum welding rods. If not here, I'd like to see you try this approach sometime.

I winterize my pump by shooting some kind of fluid from a pressurized can. It comes with the fitting to match the hose inlet fitting. It blows out the water and leaves a lube film inside. I have to remind myself to stay away from the outlet. I gently turn the engine while doing it. Pump is ready every year. I also drain the fuel tank and carb float bowl. The whole operation takes about 10 minutes. By doing this I don’t need to worry about ethanol gas damage. Sunday lunch with Mustie1 !! Fun and instructive at the same time.

You can fix that little ol crack, You can DO IT ! Reading other comments I am not the only one that thinks it would make a good video as well. For a little more time you might be able to fix it and have you a decent pressure washer for the house, I was suprised that you did not already have several already. Thanks for sharing the technique of blowing air through the system to clear remaining water, don't get freezing temps in this part of Texas often but it only takes 1 freeze and a little water to ruin good equipment.

I’m always learning thx to your experience.....keep up the great work you’re doing!!!

"Some of you have big heads". Hat size 8-1/4, and yes I am proud of my Scottish heritage.

It just amazes me how you manage to just find all this junk just laying around on side of the road….and most look almost new. You must live in a richer area than I do… lol!!

Thank you for publishing a project that even you, OH Gifted Fingers can't resserect! After a weekend of plumbing attempts (I didn't know that copper pipe and solder could snicker at you) I sit down to find this latest offering and there you go, admitting mere mortal status as Father Frost won another one. I feel better now.

Great video. I just trash found a pressure washer and now I know how to do a pre-start up inspection and carb cleaning. Thanks

Greetings: I think the draft flow mechanism term you were hunting for was "venturi". Also, the older tire type air valve is called a "schrader valve"; which is also used for automotive air conditioning servicing.

do I hear muties up for a tig brazing attempt.

I really appreciate your knowledge, presentation style, and your channel. I am completing the rebuild of an Ex-cell pressure washer. It has a Honda GX390 engine and an Annovi Reverberi RKV-4G32 pump. Regarding the pump: I replaced pistons, spacers, piston o-rings and nuts, check valves, and unloader o-rings. I had problems with the unloader, the spring was missing. The shaft keyway was also broken, suggesting the pump became difficult to spin. I put a spacer and a shorter main valve spring in the unloader because this unloader and spring are obsolete, and I cannot find a new or used one. The unloader fastening bolts are hollow tubes that bolt in to the manifold. One is 1/2" low pressure side, and 3/8" on high pressure side. These original bolts are steel and extremely corroded. I replaced them with a set of brass ones. I replaced the o-rings on these tubular bolts. I replaced the keyway key. I hooked up the water supply and the unloader leaked at the new tubular mounting bolts. I had crushed the o-ring. It must have slipped out during reassembly. Replaced it. No more leaks. The engine ran for about 5 seconds, then bogged down. The pressure gun trigger was stuck. I pulled very hard on the trigger and water shot out like a rocket. It seems I have too much pressure building up internally. I am researching this problem. I suspect the unloader that was missing a spring may be part of the problem, but not sure. What else can raise the pressure inside the pump? Can the two tubular bolts mounting the unloader be the problem? The 1/2" tubular bolt mounts the low pressure inlet side. The 3/8" bolt mounts the unloader to the high pressure outlet side. These tubular mounting bolts do have orifices. The motor is a Honda GX390. The pump is an Annovi Reverberi RKV4G32. All pump parts are AR parts specified in AR parts breakdown for the pump. The two tubular unloader mounting bolts (Part# AR2121 are"brass"). The original ones were carbon steel. I can't find a reason for this difference, except the brass ones look like a newer design and since they are brass, they should not corrode like the steel ones. The unloader is a VR 3/B. Can you enlighten me about what can make the pressure increase to the point the motor bogs down like this?

Great carb lesson again...Thanks Mustie

have someone tig weld the crack, it would be a alloy housing

The ending summed how everyone feels using a pressure washer perfectly.

I watch your videos all the time and have learned alot, thank you. Alittle tip I use when i get a rounded out allen, i use a torx that is a bit bigger and knock that in. Works great.

Great video mustie I’m a mechanic myself I always found when some Pratt had ringed put a hex head a star torx tool bit roughly the same size tapped in always works as it grabs the hex bit that is missed by the hex tool bit-looking forward to the videos on the mini car stay safe all the best god bless

Yep, I would TIG weld it. That’s what I do for a living and I’m known for fixing things that others wouldn’t 😉

Hit the manifold with the MIG and seal it up? Aluminiweld hobart rod?

Thanks for making this Video, just got a pressure washer just like that .It reminded me to clean the water out. May of just saved the pump! GOD Bless!

I've been watching you now for quite a while, you are luckiest finder of good stuff the ever walk this earth. The junk that is left by the side of the road where I live is certainly headed for the junk yard.

There are replacement pumps on-line around $70. Probably worth it to replace since rest of the pressure washer is in great shape.

*** Correction *** Soap Suction port is always on the output side! (Arrow --> ) , the black plastic nipple is the over heat safety valve. this pump is an Annovi Reverberi Even those pump is life time internal oil, you can change it by removing the black plastic bolt and fill with 75-90w Gear oil (2.29oz capacity) Head is replaceable and you can buy separate part to rebuild seal and or check valves

I have the same Briggs engine on my Briggs branded pressure washer, heading out to the shed to blow it out with the same fitting that I use to blow out the sprinkler lines, as soon as the video is done. Thanks for the reminder!

Just used the video to fix my washer. Thanks so much, running perfect now.

I would like to find that kind of thing in the trash. Damn, this is a good piece of garbage!

Could you weld the crack in the aluminum? I know it's a special type of welding process, but it can be done right?

Hi Mustie. You are a great teacher. I was wondering about that float bowl and and more. I watched most of your videos, and the carburetor is my favorite part how you work on them. Other favorite is a stuck valve when doing compression tests. VW videos are great too. Can't wait to see also more on the orange truck. Or the Lamborghini. Thanks for your great videos.

Good video as usual. When I get done using mine I blow the hoses out also. I also fill the pump with vinegar and let it sit for a day. Then I run water thru everything. I do this 2 times a year.

We all know this is just the teaser video. Darren is editing the actual repair and welding follow up video as we read this!

Good morning from Ky

Your video reminds me I need to winterize the pressure washer at work. I run some RV antifreeze through it and the hose and spray gun, seems to work fine for winter storage. We have the same pressure washer at work and it works great. I have a little electric one at home and I just put it in my shop that is heated LOL.

Same thing happened to mine, I pulled the pump apart and tig welded the crack at work, that was five years ago and it's still working fine, simple fix

I’m guessing Yes.

Air flowing across and drawing the fuel is called the venturi effect, the air flowing across creates a low pressure. In this case atmospheric pressure, 14.5 psi, standing on top of the fuel in the float bowl pushes the fuel into the carb passage, there is really no such thing as suction, I know this sounds like a wind bag reply, but it might help others understand how carburetors work.

I have to say, your mechanical skills have improved a lot...over the years. Started on the second pull!!! Pressure Washers kick ass: 1. Don't let them freeze. 2. Don't let them run dry. 3. Don't let them run without the gun nozzle OPEN! ...The pump overheats, even while idling! The "offloader" or pressure relief valve is only a inch or so from the pump. So that tiny amount of water goes around and around...gets hot. Would be an interesting test for some low temperature braze type "alum-o-solder". That's about it. Hey, that was a great video!

Usually your videos are at least half a pot of coffee long , this was a solid 2 cups 😀. Happy Sunday everyone.

Mustie1: "Some of you got big heads" Me: "Hey, I resemble that remark!"

Can you tig weld just over the crack to seal it up?

Best video fix of any I’ve seen!

👍Sometimes ya win, other times ya lose. Neighbor gave me his 1yr old Pres washer. Said it stopped working. He bought another "throw-away"- When I finally got to it I ONLY found fuel shut off valve in OFF position. When I saw the valve I said, "no way could it be this easy"....Worked fine after turning fuel ON 😂😂😂👍 Yes, I told him. (He's embarrassed) He didn't want back. It sold quickly. Good video M!

LOL I'm guessing the cup holder is for soap?

What about just put a string of solder over the crack, run a blowtorch by it and sweat it into the crack, not sure if can handle the pressure though.

First pressure washer I've seen with a cup holder. Handy.

Dusty Musti, Thanks for tearing it apart afterward to "see what makes it work." When I was young I did that exact thing all the time. Whenever somebody threw out a lawn mower I took it home and took it all apart just to see what made it work. Then a funny thing happened, I found one mower had a broken this and another had a broken that and guess what? I made one out of many that worked! That was my own very first lawnmower. I believe it was a REO. When I got my first lawn mowing job I shared with my best friend who used his Dad's mower but I had my own mower! How great was that? One time my uncle came over and walked around in my Dad's garage and he said " Ben, you got more lawnmower engines than Carter's got Little Liver Pills." That's how I got started in repairing things. Thanks for running me down memory lane. ben/ michigan

Do a video on that alumiweld rods with a map gas torch and call it " Will it leak " lol. Many it would work or not. But we all could find out together. Ha ha.

At least you got a free cup holder 😂

I just fixed the exact same one for my uncle! His son lost some parts of the carb trying to figure it out. Fixed that. Then found out it wasn't pumping. Pulled the pump head off, everything looked OK. Then I pulled the regulator out to find out that the seat had cracked. Simple fix. Works great. Cost less than a new one.

Thanks for showing me how my pump works...I have a high end one and can easily see similarities and material differences...brass being superior me thinks.

perfect candidate for low temp brazing with some alumiweld sticks from the outside .... strip heat locally fill crack off ya go ... done simmler before with a high pressure water pump

Only 38 mins Mustie1, i'm not sure this is enough for my fix. I may have to do some more via Machinery Restorer ;)

For winterization you can use RV antifreeze. It will not only preserve the pump but also CT’s as a storage lubricant. Get a piece of plastic hose with a garden hose fitting on it. Pull the starter until the discharge is the pink antifreeze.

Excellent rework. The next thing you need is a spool aluminum welder heliarc, for small repairs like the crack in that aluminum valve body. I always enjoy-joy your videos. You're a real geru on engines. Bill, from Tn. 🇺🇸

Yep the aluminum welding rod would fix it, Would make a good video.

Some grinding with a dremel and a good gob of the slow-setting JB-Weld (so it gets into the crack), should fix the crack up nicely, not much to lose really if it just ends up as your own home-use machine... :)

great explanation video. Never looked at replacement pump prices but, really reasonable actually. Got the rest working so wise investment really.

Good stuff as always. Thanks again!

Thanks for reminding me it's time to bring the pressure washer out of the garage and put it in the basement before it gets too cold.

Those pump heads are very cheap. I bought one just like that for $20 and replaced the pump head.

I have a very similar model, mine is 2550 psi and has been a real workhorse. I recently replaced the pump after 10 plus years of use. Those briggs and Stratton engines are great

Loved the valve stem tip!

Have you ever drank from the wrong mug?

I’m curious, what does everyone consider “cost prohibitive “? I replaced one of those pumps last year for $63 all in.

Excellent closeup camera work on this one!

It's amazing how much we are alike. When I have to close up a fuel line, I go straight for the vice grips, lol.