Help! My Ryobi pressure washer making weird grinding noise and stalling

Hey everyone, hoping someone can help me out here. I've got a Ryobi 2000 PSI electric pressure washer (about 2 years old) that's acting up. When I start it, it makes this weird grinding noise like metal on metal, and after about 30 seconds of running, it just stalls out completely. I've checked the water supply and it's fine, and I just cleaned the filter. Anyone dealt with this before? I was in the middle of cleaning my deck and now I'm stuck!

Sounds like a pump issue to me. I've seen this a dozen times on job sites - especially with electric models. That grinding noise is usually the pump seals wearing out or debris getting into the pump assembly. First thing: did you winterize it properly last season? If not, residual water freezing could've damaged internal components. Try removing the pump head and checking for scoring on the cylinder walls. If you see deep grooves, you'll need a rebuild kit or replacement pump. Also check the unloader valve - if it's stuck, it can cause stalling.

Carl's on the right track. Back when I was running my carpentry business, we had similar issues with our gas-powered washers. That grinding noise reminds me of when the ceramic plungers wear down. OP - before you tear into the pump, try running it without the spray wand attached. If it runs fine, the issue might be in your wand or nozzle. Also, check the oil level if your model has an oil bath pump (some electrics do). Low oil = instant grinding and overheating. And always remember: never run a pressure washer dry, even for a few seconds!

Oh man, I feel your pain! My Craftsman did the exact same thing last summer. Turned out to be a $15 fix - the thermal overload switch was tripping because the motor was overheating. The grinding noise was actually the bearings going bad from running too hot. Here's what worked for me: 1) Let it cool completely (like 2 hours), 2) Clean out ALL the vents with compressed air, 3) Check if the fan on the motor is intact. Mine had a cracked blade causing imbalance. If it's the bearings, you can usually hear it better if you take the housing off. Good luck! P.S. Wear safety glasses if you're poking around in there!

Tim's thermal overload theory is solid for the stalling, but that grinding noise concerns me more. OP - if you're not comfortable tearing into the pump, take a video of the noise and post it. The specific sound can tell us a lot. Is it a constant grind or intermittent? Does it change when you pull the trigger? Also, what model exactly? Ryobi has several 2000 PSI versions. And +1 to DrillMaster's dry run warning - that kills more pumps than anything else I've seen.