Question about pressure washer

MarcusMaximus

I just bought a p.w. today, Lidl had one on sale. Works really well for washing the car. I am a bit confused by something in the manual though. At one point it says that you must not run the device dry, i.e. with the tap turned off. Makes sense, same for caravan pumps etc. However later when describing how to store the unit and the dangers of frost damage, it says that in order to completely empty it of water you should disconnect it from the water supply and then turn it on for a maximum of 1 minute while pressing the trigger, until all the water has come out. (There is also a section on bleeding which seems to describe running the unit while disconnected from the water supply but I might have got that wrong.)

So can anyone clarify this for me? I can see why you shouldn’t run the pump without water passing through it but why does it then say to do that in order to empty it? Is there another way to get all the water out without running the pump? Thanks in advance.

Padre_Pio

The pump is water cooled.

You can run it dry for a short time, but not longer than a minute I suppose.

MarcusMaximus

Ok thanks for that. I understood it was because of a diaphragm or whatever in the pump getting damaged if run dry but if it’s more of a cooling issue, that’s less worrying. As long as I keep it under the minute.

Pity the manual didn’t explain the apparent contradiction but then it is Lidl after all!

delly

I recall when I got a Karchar for cheap a few years ago, that it got a lot of poor reviews on Amazon due to frost related damage. So just to give you the info I learned, is that the plastic made pump components can crack if water freezes over the winter. First time you then use it after the winter results in leaking water and bye bye power washer. I don't like the idea of running it dry at all, so really only give it a few seconds, but my main defence is to wrap it in a piece of carpet and bungee cord.

MarcusMaximus

Yes that makes a lot of sense. To be honest I am also still nervous of running it dry but I can see the importance of getting as much water out as possible before winter storage, which will be in the shed. Unless I put it in the attic which could still get cold I suppose. I like the idea of wrapping it - I might use an old duvet. Thanks for the info.