About six years ago or so I bought a pressure washer. It was a big box (Home Depot) buy on sale. The reason I bought it was because the engine was a Honda GX200. If you know anything about small engines, these are gold. They are the commercial version of the famous GC engines and are used in commercial and industrial applications. They are brutes.
Sadly the pump on it was garbage. Pressure washers use ceramic pistons that eventually crack—especially as they age or if they are left in freezing temperatures. I did winterize it, but that wasn't enough. Mine was not left outside per se, but was stored in an enclosed shed. Still, -40C is brutal on these pumps. Two summers ago the pump failed and I spent months trying to get replacement pistons. The company that made them (I think it was AR Pumps) wouldn't ship to Canada. I found a third party replacement and ordered those, but they didn't fit.
After months I gave up trying to find parts and trashed the pump. Turns out they are a garbage consumer brand anyways. I wanted to replace it with a high end Italian pump that you can get parts for everywhere, but two years ago it was $900 for the pump alone. That's too pricey for me.
My second idea was to use the GX200 to build a power sweeper for light snow. I love this idea as it is a good summer project and right up my alley. But I have no room for yet another snow machine and need to make space in the man shed my wife annexed. Her garden gnomes are obviously mating over the winter as there is less and less room every spring it seems.
I'm offering the engine (on the cart) to a forum member for FREE, with three conditions:
I haven't started it up this year, but I absolutely guarantee it works. ABSOLUTELY. It has <20 hrs. on it, guaranteed. Even though it's had little use, the oil was changed regularly and has a maintenance tag.
If you buy a new pump for it (3/4" shaft w/ standard bolt pattern) you'll have a great pressure washer. PA sells inexpensive pumps; or you can buy a high end commercial one like I wanted to if you have the cash laying around. The engine, cart, hose and gun are good to go and also have <20 hrs. on them.
Alternatively, strip the GX200 off the cart and you have a great engine for a different project. New, these engines retail for $600-$700. If you decide to do neither and resell it online, no hard feelings from me.
Sorry the pic is so poor. It's at the back of my shed and I haven't pulled it out yet. I'll get around to getting better pics in a few days.
Sadly the pump on it was garbage. Pressure washers use ceramic pistons that eventually crack—especially as they age or if they are left in freezing temperatures. I did winterize it, but that wasn't enough. Mine was not left outside per se, but was stored in an enclosed shed. Still, -40C is brutal on these pumps. Two summers ago the pump failed and I spent months trying to get replacement pistons. The company that made them (I think it was AR Pumps) wouldn't ship to Canada. I found a third party replacement and ordered those, but they didn't fit.
After months I gave up trying to find parts and trashed the pump. Turns out they are a garbage consumer brand anyways. I wanted to replace it with a high end Italian pump that you can get parts for everywhere, but two years ago it was $900 for the pump alone. That's too pricey for me.
My second idea was to use the GX200 to build a power sweeper for light snow. I love this idea as it is a good summer project and right up my alley. But I have no room for yet another snow machine and need to make space in the man shed my wife annexed. Her garden gnomes are obviously mating over the winter as there is less and less room every spring it seems.
I'm offering the engine (on the cart) to a forum member for FREE, with three conditions:
- You must be an existing member and not just signing up for purposes of this deal.
- You have to take the pressure washer gun and hose as well, as my goal is to free up space.
- You must pick up everything within a few days of raising your hand. I don't want to store it any longer than necessary.
I haven't started it up this year, but I absolutely guarantee it works. ABSOLUTELY. It has <20 hrs. on it, guaranteed. Even though it's had little use, the oil was changed regularly and has a maintenance tag.
If you buy a new pump for it (3/4" shaft w/ standard bolt pattern) you'll have a great pressure washer. PA sells inexpensive pumps; or you can buy a high end commercial one like I wanted to if you have the cash laying around. The engine, cart, hose and gun are good to go and also have <20 hrs. on them.
Alternatively, strip the GX200 off the cart and you have a great engine for a different project. New, these engines retail for $600-$700. If you decide to do neither and resell it online, no hard feelings from me.
Sorry the pic is so poor. It's at the back of my shed and I haven't pulled it out yet. I'll get around to getting better pics in a few days.
