If you have read my article The Pump is the MOST IMPORTANT PART of any Pressure Washer you will understand that the pump is the most critical component of a pressure washer. Most of the cheaper pressure washers will have a Axial Cam pump while the more expensive models will have a high quality Triplex pump. One of my readers asked the question: Can you replace and axial cam pump with a Triplex pump?
The answer to this is yes it is totally possible. It may be an expensive task to undertake and most definitely should not be done unless you have a broken axial cam pump that needs to be repaired.
So if you are thinking about replacing an Axial cam pump with a Triplex you will want to make sure that you check out your engine manual. the instruction manual should give you detailed information about your current pump as well as supplied drawings and measurements. Once you have the information you can better find a Triplex pump for replacement.
Some of the more important things to look for include the orientation of the pump in regards to the engine and how it is mounted. Basically you will need to see how it lines up once mounted to fit your current engine. You will also need to match up the PSI rating as well as the GPM rating so that you do not have something that is too powerful for your engine to handle. Other crucial information you need to match up the diameter of the shaft and know if it is solid or hollow.
Sometimes a universal Triplex pump will work but like I said to make absolute sure the pump will work before you buy it is to measure everything. There are a ton of universal pressure washer pumps available to buy. Just make sure you get one with the correct PSI and determine if you need a vertical mounted or horizontal mounted pump. If you are just looking to fix or replace your pump, a cheap universal model make work for you. If you are looking to upgrade to a model that is a high quality and will last a long time be sure to look for a Triplex pump.
The question always comes up, “Should I buy a new pressure washer or just replace the pump?” To answer this depends on what your intentions are. Almost all of the electric pressure washers have non-replaceable pumps. There is just no way around that. You may be able to make slight repairs on them but you will not be able to swap them out for a higher quality one. You will also need to determine the cost of a new pressure washer and it’s advantages over replacing the pump on an older model. Maybe you want a more powerful unit.
Replacing the pump is a great way to extend the life of your pressure washer. As long as the engine, hose, and other components are in tip top shape you will be able to use your pressure washer for many years to come. Also be sure to take care of your pump at the end of every season by using a pump saver.
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