So my stupid pressure washer started leaking near the pump last Tuesday - pissed me off but gave me the perfect excuse to tear that sucker apart. Figured I’d share how I identified all its guts while troubleshooting. Grabbed my toolbox and threw down a tarp cause this thing’s oily as hell.

First phase: Yanking stuff off the frame

Unplugged it and flipped the washer sideways. Saw four giant bolts holding the frame together - loosened those with a wrench till the whole metal skeleton came apart. Then stared at this tangled mess of hoses and wires. Pulled the water inlet hose first - just a cheap plastic tube with clamps. Noticed the filter screen inside it covered in mud gunk.

Hunting the spray wand controls

Followed the trigger handle’s hose back to this boxy valve thing with screws holding it to the pump. Unscrewed that bastard - found worn rubber seals inside. Noticed two weird levers connected:

• A safety latch near the trigger
• Some pressure adjustment knob jammed sideways

Pump autopsy time

This rusty pump unit weighed a ton. Found three ports covered in mineral crust:

• One massive outlet port feeding the high-pressure hose
• Two inlet ports sucking water

Scraped off gunk to spot tiny oil caps hidden underneath - no wonder bearings seized up last summer.

Motor and electric sht

Tore off the motor cover - plastic clips popped off easy. Inside was this monster DC motor wired to:

• A thermal reset button that smelled burnt
• Two carbon brushes looking like chewed up pencils

Followed thick power cords to a corroded power switch covered in spider webs. Disgusting.

Reassembly nightmare

Oil spilled everywhere when I lifted the pump - totally forgot about that hidden oil reservoir. Took three hours scraping seals and forcing parts back together. Key lesson? Take pictures before dismantling anything cause hose routing looks identical front/back.

Slapped it all back together cross-eyed. Plugged it in praying it wouldn’t explode. Sprayed like a champ - leaks were just from that busted trigger valve. Might upgrade to brass fittings next weekend if this crap survives.