Using pressure washer valves

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Have been thinking of using a pressure washer pump for the steam bike like some of the steam car people use but they are heavy.
So considering making my own but use their valves they are very much a penny washer with a seat and spring with a plastic retaining cover.
Going on my model flash steam when generator pressure release opens at times very hot water and steam can hit the stainless valves.
With pressure washer valves am concerned the plastic housing would be spoilt with the hot water and steam even for a brief moment.
At present searches have found no washer valves that are of total metal construction.
I could either make the valves myself or buy some and make new retaining covers for them.
Has anyone had dealings with high pressure washers and are there any with totally metal valves.
The cheaper Karcher valves are all plastic and no good for me.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Below is one type of replacement valve for a pressure washer this make is a more expensive type.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I would use the 'guts' to be sure of reliable operation and make a new housing. I'm sure that nylon bit wouldn't be too hard to copy in ally.

Neil

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Windy,

No use looking at Karcher and the like as they are all home appliances and built to a price.

When we ran commercial pressure washers for steam cleaning the trucks we used to use the 3 cylinder CAT pumps.

CAT not to be confused with Caterpillar.

No idea of the model, it was a long time ago but the basic design hasn't changed and all the internals were well made and in stainless.

You could get any spare you wanted, it wasn't a service exchange unit. We used to have three pumps, two in working cleaners and one in bits being overalled..

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Yes JS looked at them and parts available the valves look like they have a plastic retainer for spring etc.

Maybe I'm overcautious but like to think of possible future problems also wondered if same valves would be ok on petrol paraffin fuel pump for burners.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

OK, they may have cheapened the design over the years but ours were all stainless. We used to use some horrible chemicals to mix with the downstream water to act as cleaning agents. One we used for a while was a white powder and probably neat caustic as it would take the skin off your hands if you got any on.

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