As with all types of power equipment, the key to keeping a water pump in working condition over the long-term is to engage in regular maintenance as indicated in the pump’s instruction manual. Regular maintenance covers everything from fuel checks and oil change to cleaning, parts replacement, and more. Importantly, this essential maintenance keeps the engine functioning efficiently, reduces the likelihood of pump and hose problems, and keeps the pump from needing more expensive, professional service at a local Honda dealer. Before getting started, however, there are a few key things to know about the maintenance of this model.

Safety is Important During Water Pump Maintenance

Safety checks aren’t only required before turning the water pump on for regular service. Indeed, good safety habits come into play while maintaining the water pump and checking some of its most crucial and dangerous parts. When working on the pump, make sure that its engine has cooled off after a period of recent use. It’s also important to keep the pump on a level surface, away from water, bystanders and debris, while working on it.

The Maintenance Schedule

The key document concerning water pump maintenance is the maintenance schedule provided by Honda. The schedule breaks down maintenance into hourly intervals, which can be easily tracked after each pump use. The schedule’s highlights spotlight some crucial maintenance routines for all aspects of this powerful water pump.

1. Refueling

The pump’s fuel level should be checked before each use to ensure that the equipment can run uninterrupted while completing the task at hand. Honda recommends unleaded gasoline for its WX15 water pump, with an octane rating of at least 86. Additionally, operators should make sure that any fuel they select has no more than 10 percent ethanol or 5 percent methanol. Higher concentrations could damage the engine significantly.

2. Engine Oil

Engine oil should be checked before each use of the water pump, with a full oil change occurring after the first 10 hours of use. After that initial oil change, Honda recommends a full oil change after every 6 months or 50 hours of use, whichever comes first. Because the water pump will primarily be used in warmer environments, the company’s recommendation is to us a 10W30 oil in virtually all scenarios. The oil should be properly rated for four-stroke engines.

3. Fuel Filter Inspection

As with engine oil, the engine’s fuel filter should be checked prior to each use of the water pump. The filter should be checked not only for excessive dirt buildup, but also for any damage that might keep it from effectively reducing the presence of debris in the engine. If the filter shows no signs of damage or excessive wear, the equipment can be used without performing any additional maintenance. Otherwise, it may need to be either cleaned or replaced before the water pump can resume active service.

4. Air Filter Cleaning

The air filter should be routinely inspected for dirt buildup and damage that may result from regular or frequent water pump use. If dirt has built up significantly on the air filter’s surface, simply remove it from the water pump and clean it using warm water and a mild detergent. In fact, dish detergent is sufficient to handle this maintenance requirement.

If the air filter shows signs of damage, cleaning will not suffice. In this case, the filter must be fully replaced with an OEM Honda air filter that will allow the equipment to run efficiently.

5. Spark Plug Service

At a minimum, the water pump’s spark plug should be checked and adjusted once per year, or after 100 hours of active water pump us. The spark plug should only be replaced if it shows significant signs of wear or damage. Otherwise, simply adjust the spark plug gap and continue with regular operation. If the spark plug is significantly covered in carbon deposits, it might be a good idea to take a stiff brush to the spark plug, removing those deposits and making ignition just a bit easier in the process.

6. Spark Arrester Service

The spark arrester requires cleaning at least once per year, or after every 100 hours of use. It’s important to allow the engine to fully cool down if the water pump has been recently used, since the muffler will be very hot and could cause serious burns during spark arrester maintenance.

Visit HondaLawnParts.com to Find OEM Replacements

The key to great maintenance is using OEM Honda replacement parts whenever they’re needed. These parts offer the same high level of quality and durability that Honda’s water pumps offer to consumers, and that means they’ll stand the test of time. HondaLawnParts.com makes it easy to filter parts by their part number, their corresponding water pump model number, or the engine type for which they are required.