Power equipment can last for many years, and even many decades, if it is properly taken care of and maintained. For the Honda WB20T water pump, this means following the recommended maintenance schedule and regularly checking parts like the air filter, the spark arrester, the spark plug, and many others. Equipment owners will find that their careful maintenance will likely spare them the headaches and expenses associated with emergency repairs. Furthermore, regular maintenance makes the equipment safer and more efficient to use throughout the year. Before getting started, there are a few important things to know about the parts and process required.
Safety First: What to Know Before Water Pump Maintenance
Safety is a key concern when performing any kind of power equipment maintenance, including water pump maintenance. When getting started, make sure that the water pump has had time to cool down if it was recently used. A hot engine can cause burns or sparks, leading to significant injury if operators aren’t careful. Remember that safe maintenance is always performed in a properly ventilated, flat and level area, in the absence of children, pets, or uninvolved bystanders. If working on sharp parts, make sure to wear protective gloves and eyewear to guard against serious injury.
An Overview: The Honda Maintenance Schedule
The first thing to know about maintenance is that it doesn’t occur at random intervals, and there simply is no guessing required when properly maintaining a Honda water pump. The basics are spelled out in the company’s maintenance schedule, which can be found in the instruction manual that shipped with the WB20T water pump when it was new. The schedule notes when to check and change the oil and fuel, when to check and replace the spark plug, spark arrester, and air filter, and other key maintenance concerns that will need to be addressed during a typical year of use.
Getting Started: Tools Needed for the Job
Honda conveniently bundles all of the tools necessary for maintenance with the water pump in a small tool pouch. This pouch, located in the pump’s original box, features a spark plug wrench, a wrench extension handle, and two standard wrenches in varying sizes. Have these tools, or their equivalents, on hand when beginning the maintenance procedure. With the right tools and safety procedures in place, it’s time to get started with the key maintenance tasks at hand.
1. Oil Checks and Changes
Oil is a crucial component in any engine, and that’s why Honda recommends an oil level check prior to each use of the water pump. Simply remove the oil cap and check that the current oil level rises to the recommended “fill” line on the dipstick. If the oil does not measure up appropriately, add a bit of fresh oil until it reaches Honda’s recommended level.
Oil changes occur on two schedules. For new equipment owners, an oil change should be performed after the first 20 hours of use. This may also occur after the first month of ownership, based on the operator’s discretion. After this initial oil change, water pump owners should perform a full oil change after every 100 hours of use, or after 6 months, whichever comes first.
2. Air Filter Maintenance
The air filter should be checked for damage or excessive grime prior to each use of the water pump. A full air filter cleaning should take place every 3 months, or after every 50 hours of water pump use. The filter is cleaned by removing it from the water pump and running it under warm water. Use a mild detergent to gently wash away any lingering grease or dirt that has made its way into the filter over the past several months. If the filter is damaged or excessively dirty, it should be replaced with an OEM Honda air filter instead of being cleaned.
3. Spark Plug Maintenance
The spark plug should be checked and cleaned every six months. To properly clean the spark plug, use a stiff wire brush to effectively eliminate carbon deposits from the plug and the surrounding area. Before operating the water pump, check the proper spark plug gap and make sure that it measures between 0.035 and 0.039 inches. Turn the spark plug left or right as needed in order to ensure a proper gap. Finally, make sure to check the condition of the spark plug washer before completing this maintenance task.
4. The Sediment Cup
Like the spark plug, the sediment cup should be checked and cleaned every six months. Following the procedure described in the water pump’s instruction manual, loosen and remove the sediment cup from the equipment. Wash the cup in a mild solvent to loosen and remove sediment build-up, and then reinstall the cup.
5. Spark Arrester Maintenance
The spark arrester should also be cleaned every six months. Clean the area around the spark arrester and muffler to eliminate carbon deposits. The best way to clear these deposits is to use a small plastic hammer to loosen them from the surface and dispose of them as necessary.
HondaLawnParts.com Has the Parts Customers Need to Get the Job Done
Regular maintenance is a key part of water pump ownership, and HondaLawnParts.com can help. With an online parts search tool, the website makes it easy to find the right part based on its specific part number or the water pump’s model number. With these filters, customers will find it easy to get a high quality, fully compatible replacement part for their specific water pump.
