OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions on Other Engines ryobi rv 160

Hi, not sure where to post this, I have a ryobi pressure washer and looking for some imformation on the pump , what sort of maintenence should be done on the pump itself ? It's a chonda motor and has been sitting for a few years so it needed a carby clean and a change of oil. Motor is running good. Can I run the motor without water in the pump or will this destroy the pump. I noticed the pump had a label to use sae. 85w90. Thankyou.

Hi Rob, your Ryobi washer looks very similar to mine, which is called RPW2400. You can download the operator's manual here:
http://www.ryobi.com.au/Ryobi/files/ca/ca71eacc-4157-4e7a-bbea-10675f3bc1c9.pdf

The literature describes the pump as "maintenance free". Essentially, the instructions are first, never run the machine without a pressurised source of clean water attached to the pump intake, and secondly, drain the water out of the pump before storage, by pulling the starter cord half a dozen times with the input and output hoses disconnected and the ignition off. For long term storage Ryobi mentions but does not specifically recommend, the use of "Pump Saver". This a Briggs product in a pressure pack. After preparing the machine for storage, including pulling the starter to drain the pump, you put the pressure pack on the pump intake (water hose fitting) and press the spray button until the goo comes out of the pump outlet (pressure hose fitting). The idea is to protect the seals etc., primarily in the northern US winter when it gets very cold. I don't use the stuff, for various reasons, none of them necessarily convincing ones. My storage process is disconnect and drain the hoses and wand, drain the fuel via the float bowl drain fitting, then pull the starter so it runs for about 2 seconds before dying, which causes a surprisingly small amount of water to come out of the output hose fitting. So far I've never stored it for long enough to put oil in the cylinder.

Thanks Grumpy , Has a lot more pressure then my electric gernie , nice quiet engine, smooth little chonda. Owners manual was helpful. The model is rpw2400 .

I haven't been able to fault mine so far Rob. It starts first or second pull after putting it away dry and drained, and burbles smoothly. I find the choke linkage less than elegant, but it works properly. So far I haven't dared to let the emergency hot-water dump feature work - I always stop the engine if I won't be spraying for more than 20 seconds. However that is just me being hyper-cautious. I once destroyed the main hydraulic pump on a front loader/backhoe by allowing it to cavitate, and I don't want to do it again.

The pump itself looks a bit like a mower blade spindle upside down with add-ons and I don't know where to refill the oil if it ever needs to be done, or is it sealed unit and dosen't need to be touched.

I haven't found a way to change the oil Rob - it's described as "maintenance free", and I don't think you can access the oil without removing the engine then stripping the pump. Older pump designs, and the continuous-service commercial units which usually have belt drive, have regular oil changes. Here is a description of how to do it:

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us.../pressure-washers/water-pump-maintenance

The really old designs of pumps, once popular in the US, had crankshafts and two cylinders. Those ones are intended to be overhauled, and require oil changes every 50 hours. The more modern consumer-type designs seem to have 3 cylinder swash-plate pumps, and those ones typically have no external access to the oil.

I found it strange how it tells what oil to use but no where to put it. When I find one not working from the tip I'll pull it apart and get an idea of the inner parts. Thanks for the info.

The cheaper pressure washers like ours use wobble plate pumps, which are not repairable and are not usually serviced - the whole machine gets tossed when the pump gives trouble. Typical life is said to be 300 hours, if properly operated. More commercial washers, or high-end pumps for fairly keen and serious amateur users, have axial pumps, which are more durable and can be repaired. Typical life is said to be 600 hours. Professional contractors use triplex or "plunger" pumps, which run at low speed continuously all day, generate 3,000 psi, and have a conventional crankshaft at right angles to the three in-line cylinders. These last for however long they are properly maintained, rather like grandfather's axe.