Recommended Frequency for Changing the Oil in a Pressure Washer
You may find different advice online about how frequently to change pressure washer oils. But how often you need to change the oils in your pressure washer depends on how much you use it. As a general rule, once a year is probably enough for most casual users like me. But check your owner’s manual for the recommendation from the manufacturer. They know their machines best.
Pressure Washing Preparation
It’s a good idea to change your pressure washer’s engine and pump oil at the same time. When the time comes to do an oil change, here are the things you will need:
New bottles of motor oil for your engine and pump as recommended in the owner’s manual. For the engine, you will likely need a synthetic oil like 0w-30. For the pump, you will need a non-detergent oil.
Oil drain pans to catch the used oil.
Clean funnels to add the new oil. You will want a straight funnel for the engine and a slanted funnel for the pump.
A socket wrench was set to remove the oil drain plugs.
How to Change Your Pressure Washer’s Oil
Pump oil is different from engine oil. It cools and lubricates the pump, not the engine. The pump is just as important as the engine, so keeping fresh oil in both is critical. If you want your pressure washer to last and perform its best, learn how to change the engine oil and pump oil yourself.
To change the pump oil:
Locate the pump casing, the boxy aluminum part next to the engine. You should see brass bolts and an oil level window. Find the drain plug bolt—it will be a single bolt at the bottom of the casing.
Place a drain pan under the pump, below the drain plug. Loosen and remove the drain plug bolt with a socket wrench. Let the oil drain from the pump into the pan. To get all the oil out, loosen one of the bolts on top of the reservoir. Tilt the pressure washer to drain the rest of the oil.
TIP: Tilt the pressure washer to drain the oil completely from the pump
Put the drain plug bolt back in and tighten it. Put a funnel in the top vent hole and pour in the new non-detergent motor oil until it reaches the level mark in the window. Remove the funnel and replace the vent bolt.
To change the engine oil:
Find the engine oil drain plug, loosen and remove it with a socket wrench. Let the oil drain for 10 minutes. Put the drain plug bolt back in.
Remove the oil reservoir cap and put a slanted funnel in the hole. Add 0w-30 synthetic oil little by little, checking the level with the dipstick on the reservoir cap. Add until the dipstick shows the proper level.
Check again:
Start and run the pressure washer for 20 seconds. Shut off and recheck oil levels. Add oil as needed and you’re done!
