Gasoline engine water pump maintenance

Regular and correct maintenance is the key to ensure the efficient, reliable and long-life operation of gasoline engine water pumps. Neglecting maintenance will lead to difficulty in starting, power loss, increased fuel consumption, and even serious damage.

Daily use and inspection

1. Fuel management:
Use fresh and clean gasoline: Avoid using old or dirty oil. Gasoline stored for too long (more than 1-2 months) will deteriorate (gelatinize) and clog the carburetor.

Two-stroke engine oil: If it is a two-stroke engine, strictly use the specified type of two-stroke engine oil and gasoline according to the proportion in the manual. Wrong proportions will cause cylinder scuffing or serious carbon deposits.

Four-stroke engine oil: Use four-stroke engine oil of specified grade and viscosity (SAE 10W-30 or specified in the manual), and check and replace it regularly.

Refueling environment: Refuel in a well-ventilated place without open flames after the engine is cooled. Avoid spillage, and wipe it dry immediately if spillage occurs.

Fuel tank cap: Make sure the fuel tank cap is well sealed.

2. Check before starting:

Oil level (four-stroke): Check the dipstick before each start, the oil level must be between the upper and lower scale lines. If insufficient, add to the specified amount, do not overdo it.

Air filter: Check if it is clean. Dirt will seriously affect the performance and life of the engine.

Fasteners: Check if the bolts and nuts on the engine, water pump, and frame are loose.

Inlet and outlet pipes: The connection is firm, without damage or excessive bending. Make sure that all interfaces of the suction pipe are absolutely sealed (the suction range depends on the sealing). Check whether the water inlet filter is blocked.

Pump chamber water diversion (non-self-priming pump): Make sure that the pump chamber and the suction pipe are filled with water.

Surrounding environment: Ensure good ventilation and stay away from flammable materials.

3. Notes during operation:

Observation: Listen to the engine sound (whether there is any abnormal sound), observe the exhaust color (normal is colorless or very light, a lot of blue smoke burns the oil, and the black smoke mixture is too thick), and feel whether the vibration is abnormal.

Avoid dry running: It is absolutely forbidden to run the water pump for a long time without water (even a few seconds should be avoided), which will burn the water pump seal (oil seal/mechanical seal).

Avoid overload: Do not operate for a long time under the limit conditions exceeding the rated head or flow.

4. Shutdown:

Unloading shutdown: First close the water outlet valve (if any), then reduce the throttle and run at idle speed for tens of seconds, and finally shut down the engine. Avoid high-speed emergency stops.

Close the fuel valve (if any): Some models have a switch under the fuel tank. Closing it after shutdown can prevent the carburetor from overflowing.