Pressure washers can help you keep your home looking great. Use this guide to learn how much it costs to rent a pressure washer based on factors like type and time.
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What Would Cause a Pressure Washer to Leak Oil? 6 Common Culprits
We’re leaking the names of these oily offenders
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Need to Schedule Repairs? Connect With a Pro
A pressure washer housing leak often starts with dry or cracked O-rings and seals, which become brittle from use and allow oil to escape.
Damaged piston seals inside your pressure washer pump wear down over time and cause oil leaks plus drops in water pressure you'll notice right away.
Tighten all loose fittings around the pump assembly and drain plug, then clean debris from the dipstick to stop fresh oil from leaking out.
Hiring a local power washing professional provides reliable support with seal replacements and pump repairs, keeping your equipment running smoothly for years.
Imagine you have pressure washing on your to-do list, but when you go to grab the machine from storage, you notice an oil leak under the body of the pressure washer. So much for those weekend DIY plans. So, what would cause a pressure washer to leak oil in the first place? There are several potential causes behind a leaking pressure washer. Here’s what you should check for.
1. Cracked O-Rings and Connectors
One big enemy to successful pressure washing is dry or cracked O-rings and connectors. Pressure washers have several O-rings, seals, and other connectors to prevent water leaks and keep the machine running smoothly. However, these seals can become brittle and crack, and they’re prone to corrosion. If a seal breaks, it can cause both oil and water to leak from the machine.
If you’re handy, you can buy new O-rings and seals online or at a hardware store and replace them yourself. Otherwise, leave this job to a pro to prevent further oil leaks or extensive damage.
2. Damaged Piston Seals
Pistons are located inside the pressure washer’s pump, and they pressurize the water. Pistons have tightly fitting seals, but these seals wear down over time. If even one seal breaks, it can cause water or oil to leak and can cause a drop in water pressure. Watch for oil leaks around the pump or changes to the water pressure to identify a damaged piston seal, which you should replace as soon as possible.
3. Loose Pump Assembly Fittings
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The pump assembly allows the water to flow and become pressurized for deep-cleaning grime off of hard surfaces. This assembly has multiple fittings to prevent water and oil leaks. If you notice oil leaking from the pressure washer pump, it may be a loose or damaged fitting. Tighten any loose fittings or replace broken fittings to stop the oil leak.
4. Faulty Drain Plug
If you don’t firmly secure the drain plug after replacing the oil, this can cause that fresh, new oil to leak. Make sure to tighten the drain plug after replacing the oil. If the plug is damaged, replace it to avoid ongoing oil leaks.
5. Dirty Dipstick
The dipstick is what you use to check the oil level on the pressure washer. Because you should be checking the oil level of the pressure washer before each use, the dipstick can be exposed to little bits of dirt and debris. If there’s buildup or a piece of debris on the dipstick, it can keep it from securing tightly into the reservoir.
Pull out the dipstick and check for any debris. Clean it and replace it. Check the O-ring around the dipstick opening and replace it if needed.
6. Old Pump
Photo: Carol Yepes / Moment / Getty Images
Old pressure washer pumps can wear out and cause an oil leak. If you notice oil or water leaking and issues with your pressure washer not starting, it may simply be time for a new pressure washer.
Most pressure washers last for 500 hours of use or around 10 years with light to moderate use and regular pressure washer maintenance. If your pressure washer is nearing those limits, or repairs cost more than half of what a new pressure washer would cost, upgrade to a newer model. New pressure washers cost $100 to $1,000, depending on the model.
What to Do if Your Pressure Washer Leaks Oil
Unless the oil leak is from a loose nut or bolt that you can tighten yourself or a seal that’s easy to replace, leave any oil leaks to a pro. Otherwise, you risk damaging your machine, and then you’d have to pay for the cost of a new pressure washer. Oil leaks can also leave pesky stains in your garage and even run off into your prized gardens or lawn if the oil mixes with water in your pressure washer.
By trusting these repairs to a power washing pro near you, the experts can find the source of the leak and patch things up quickly. This means you'll get back to cleaning up your property lickety-split. Whether you DIY or hire a pro for pressure washer repairs, make sure to check the oil level and refill it after repairs and before you use the pressure washer again to avoid disrupting your cleaning jobs.
Pressure washing services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.9★ avg. • 16 total reviews
- Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - David B.
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Kellie G.
Mary Cleaning Service is fantastic! The entire team is professional and pay a great deal of attention to detail. They do such a thorough job of cleaning my house. I would definitely recommend!
- Diane C.
The workmanship is perfect, I did not have any complaint with that. It was the brick I chose not matching the brick that want I to use. There was a problem with discoloration of the brick. I thought that the rain was gonna wash it off but it didn't. I call them. All communication was coming...
Bone Dry Roofing & Masonry - Cincinnati - Dana M.
I purchased the "Big Deal": $199.00 for exterior pressure-washing of one- or two-story home up to 2,000 square feet. They cleaned the siding only. I wasn't aware when I bought the Big Deal that they would not do any other surfaces other than the siding (i.e. sides of the gutters or stucco). I...
Complete Home Services - Laura R.
We noticed that there was a light brown residue in the drip tray of our stackable washer dryer. We have a Lowe's warranty so contacted them to arrange a service call. They arranged an appointment for 2 days out with Capital City. Capital city then called the next day saying they were not...
Capital City Appliance Service - Gary T.
From the initial sales presentation to the installers final clean up, this project was a total pleasure. Gary Coper, sales consultant, showed up exactly on time and provided an informative, no pressure description, of every material and step required to complete the remodel. We were always in...
Simple Bath & Simple Kitchen - Victoria R.
They were prompt, careful and thorough. I have also had them wash interior floor to ceiling windows which were perfect.
Technicare Carpet Cleaning - William B.
The work went great! Couldn't ask for better. Joel set a work start date. About the time of the storms that may have been associated with Sandy. He was half a day late. They set up on a Thursday. On Friday they had a full crew at work. By Monday they were finishing up. Now, the best...
NJW Construction
The homeowners guide to pressure washing services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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