Questions and Answers for Powercare 12 oz. Pressure Washer Pump Protector

A:  Hi Pbrods Thanks for your inquiry. Once you attach the bottle to the inlet tube. Someone will need to squeeze and someone else will need to pull the start rope at the same time. There's a video on the Home Depot website, just type in "POWERCARE pump protector" to find it. Thanks for reaching out to us. Best Regards Thank you for contacting POWERCARETTI

A:  Only remove the grey flexible cap. Under the cap there should be an "X" scored into the top for the liquid to flow. This should prevent spillage. Just screw the bottle into the inlet port and squeeze the bottle until water & some of the fluid comes out of the outlet.

A:  Here is a video on how to apply the pressure washer pump protector. He did exactly as you described. The bottle is supposed to have a sort of barrier to prevent spillage after you remove the cap. There are some other maintenance tips included in this 9 minute video. Hope this works for you.

A:  Not easy. I wonder why myself how to screw on without it dripping out. I have used this product for 2 years. each time I left switch in off position and cranked until fluid came out. No idea why your would not too. Mine only takes app a half a bottle to fill pump. Highly recommend this product as even a small amount of water left in pump can damage it.

A:  The bottle should have a manual flow preventer so it does not release liquid until squeezed. It is to be used right after machine use to prevent pump damage during storage between uses. if you are trying to use to free up an already frozen up pump it could be too late to do any good. Try pulling the cord while squeezing the bottle at the same time. May take two people.

A:  I don't have a Ryobi pressure washer, I have a different brand. But I did find a video for you from Ryobi... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1zg04pYIz8

A:  You really have multiple questions here. First when you get a new bottle you have to take the inside seal out of the bottle. This then leaves a crude but effective check valve (cross scored seal) that prevents all the fluid from pouring out when screwing the bottle on the pump intake connection. The gas motor version requires multiple cycling of the product through the machine by pulling the starter cord multiple times and squeezing the bottle to inject the fluid. Hope this helps.

A:  You probably need to do it more than 3 times. My pw has electric start and I do have to let the engine turn over a bit before I see any fluid. But it does eventually come out.

A:  Sometimes you have to squeeze the bottle to force the protectant into the machine.

A:  Remove the spark plug so you can easily pull the cord and squeeze the bottle at the same time.

A:  Hello Hammer! You will need to disconnect all of the hoses from the pump and make sure the pump is clear of water. Turn off the pressure washer engine and shut off the water supply. Pull trigger to release water pressure. Disconnect garden hose and high pressure hose. Unscrew threaded top from pump protector bottle and remove paper seal from bottle. Reinstall top on bottle and tighten securely. NOTE: The rubber seal should remain inside the threaded top. If it comes out, be sure to replace before reinstalling the top. Remove bottle cap and attach threaded end of bottle securely to pressure washer pump water intake. Squeeze bottle to inject contents into pump.With engine switch off, pull starter grip and rope to cycle pump, then squeeze bottle again to guarantee complete coverage.Pump is protected when the protector fluid exits the pump outlet. I hope this helps! - Eve

A:  Did you remove the inner seal before doing all of that? Please see the Youtube instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1zg04pYIz8 Hope this helps.

A:  It should be good for 2-3 years.

A:  No, it does not have an expiration date.

A:  Never looked for one on product. I have used this product for the past 2 years to winterize my powerwasher which has protected it both years

A:  No it does not have an expiration date on this bottle.

A:  Hello Gypsi! The expiration date will be on the bottle. Thanks for asking! - Eve

A:  Depends on the size of the pump on your washer. I was able to use this product for two seasons

A:  Depends on your machine and the amount it takes to run thru. I've used mine about six or seven times "who counts?". When it is out buy more to keep your machine lubrcated during storage. It is way cheaper than a rebuild or a new machine.

A:  How many uses you get from the bottle depends upon which pressure washer you are using.

A:  Hi April. That depends on the size of the pump. Most only require 2 to 3 oz at a time. Thanks for asking, Greg

A:  15-20

A:  Hi Patrick, The second step in the directions should tell you to remove the threaded cap and then remove the seal on the bottle and replace the threaded cap. This is also in a video on the product page to show how it works. Hope this helps. Greg

A:  Yes

A:  Yes! You unscrew the threaded top to remove seal and reattach the threaded top to the bottle. There is also a cross cut flow seal inside the threaded cap that should NOT be removed as this is to prevent too much fluid from coming out and restrict the bottle from sucking the fluid back into the bottle. Instructions were very clear when I used the product.

A:  Yes do that. then screw the whole bottle into the water hose input. then squeeze bottle till liquid comes out the hose fitting to the spray gun

A:  Yes. The instructions tell you to remove the foil seal before you squeeze the bottle. The instructions, however, DO NOT tell you what to do if you can't squeeze the bottle (presumably because the pressure washer pump intake valve is positioned in such a way that you can't force fluid into it.) This is very frustrating. The workaround is to affix the bottle to the intake port, and run the pump, manually. It's not a good solution, but it is the only one that I've found.

A:  Hi Hewi, You would only need 1 or 2 oz, Of the protector to go into the pump. Thanks for asking. Greg

A:  1

A:  none with an electric power washer

A:  That depends on how much pressure you put when you squeeze the bottle. But, you can probably get 10 or more uses out of one bottle.

A:  I bought a bottle last year and it only took half a bottle to flush and winterize my pressure washer. That being said, I would believe that the other half would be all I would need this fall

A:  I got 0

A:  I’ve still got about 2/3’s left in the bottle. So at least 3 uses out of one bottle.

A:  Gotta be going somewhere. Mine comes out the high-pressure side.

A:  I just used this product on my gas pressure washer. Did numerous squeezes, pulled the recoil numerous times. Finally I fired it up and squeezed till the protector blew out. I plan on going back to the pressurized pump protector after all this. A B&S product.

A:  I ended up tipping my washer backwards so that the valves were pointed up after connecting the bottle. That helped the liquid flow down into the machine. I used pressurized protectant before and it was much easier. You shouldn't need to do it after every use, only before winter storage.

A:  Hi D2, Please call our customer service and they will help with this issues. 866-340-3912. Thanks for asking. Greg

A:  You need to disconnect the water supply and pressure hose from the main unit. Then you screw the bottle to where you would attach the water supply. Squeeze the bottle until you see the blue liquid come out of where the pressure hose would attach to. That’s all there is to it. This should be done before storing or once or twice a year.

A:  Pump is off and hoses removed. Screw the power care pressure washer pump protector on coupling where the water hose fastens to the washer (make sure foil shipping seal is removed from protector). Squeeze the bottle and protection fluid should drizzle out where the spray hose fastens to the pump.

A:  I have turn over the motor a few times to see anything come out of the pump outlet. Mine is a gas motor with an electric start and I hit the start button for 1 second at a time. I have not tried this with an electric pressure washer but the principle should be the same.

A:  Hi TC, There are several reasons for this. Please call our customer service and they can see what is happening. 866-340-3912. Sorry for any issues. Greg

A:  You have to slowly pull the starter handle so the pump pushes the fluid through the system.

A:  Correct

A:  If this is the first time you used this bottle make sure the seal is removed from the bottle neck

A:  Hi Egge, You can use either of the solutions. you would not need both. Thanks for asking. Greg

A:  You use this in place of RV antifreeze. This contains a lubricant for the valves and seals. If you use your pressure washer intermittently (every month or more) I would use this every time and when winterizing. The Briggs & Stratton product was easier and cheaper to use. As far as I know Home Depot went to this product and quit carrying the B&S product which I think was a mistake.

A:  My understanding: pump protector is same thing.

A:  The purpose of this is to flush your water lines so they don’t freeze and crack causing you leaks/lack of pressure. You put this into spot for hose connection and comes out other side. It is an inexpensive thing to make sure you don’t get any frozen lines. Has nothing to do with motor.

A:  No idea why. You need a chemist

A:  No, this ensures that the pump internals are protected from everyday heat/cold/moisture.

A:  Yes, but it does not fill up the pump. Use it to flush out any residual water in the pump, and what product remains coats metal surfaces and does not freeze.

A:  Thank you for asking, Jim. This pump protector is designed only for the use of pressure washer pumps. It helps to keep pump protected when not in use, prevents buildup of corrosive materials and ice, and it also helps to prolong the pressure washer life cycle. Please contact your RV manufacturer to see which type of antifreeze they suggest is best for the RV. We do not recommend using this pump protector in anything other than pressure washer pumps. I hope this helps and we appreciate your interest in POWERCARE! -Keri

A:  This is formulated for pressure washers. I keep my washer in a shed which freezes, this protects the pump from freezing and corrosion and lubricates the valves to keep them from sticking. There is no corrosion inhibitor or lubricant in RV anti-freeze.

A:  Compare the label ingredients