Someone provide some insight about pressure washer pumps-the good ones & the bad ones?
Mind you this is just my opinion but I have had experience with four different brands of pumps.
The first was a CAT pump. These pumps are excellent. Very durable and can take a ton of abuse. I ran one for four hours one time without knowing it, because it had a plate on the exterior come loose. When I discovered it I bolted it back up, put oil in it, and it ran for about another 5 years. The downside is that they are very expensive to repair. For a simple repack and a plunger or two, I can buy a complete new pump of another brand. For this purpose, the type of pumps that I was using run about $1200.
The second, and actually my preferred pump, is a General. Pretty durable. Can take a lot of abuse and are inexpensive and easy to fix. I don't know how long they can run without oil, but I have not tested that, yet! I do know that the model of pump that I use a TS 2021 lasts me about 8000 to 9000 hours before I need to replace it. The packings will typically last about 900 hours. That is for my uses, and what I do with it. If I shop I can usually pick one up pretty easily for around $325
Comets are the next. Many of their parts are interchangeable with the General pumps. This is good because they are not in as widespread use as the Generals are, meaning local distributors might not be stocking parts for this type of pump. Many of the people that sell them claim they are the toughest pump out there. My experience has been different. I can usually get about 2000 hours out of them before the oil seals go and lot water in. If this happens,I always replace the pump, because typically it is a harbinger of fun thigns to come, and I prefer not to be stranded.
The last that I used very briefly was an AR pump or Annovi Reverbi pump. I am positive that my experience was atypical, but I bought two of them at the same time, and they both failed within about 30 hours. (I was Not happy) For some reason they both popped out the head bolts, within about twenty minutes of each other, and the pumps were toast.
As for engines:
Honda, these are the engines I prefer and usually get about 4000 hours of abuse out of them.
Briggs Vanguard. These are pretty tough, I have gotten about 1500 to 2000 hours out of them, then the pistons and cams break. They might still run, and make power, with the broken pieces in place, but they are still broken. They also like to burn up the starter solenoid. They are easy to retrofit with an old style automotive solenoid, and they are much more durable.
Kohler: I have heard tons good about them. They are a little more expensive engine, and appear to last okay, but I have only had one machine that had one. The biggest problem that I had with it was that it leaked oil, and the starter solenoid burned up.
Onan, pretty reliable, but have not had one.
Hope this helps.
Scooter
