Power washers - where to start?

[Zeti]

I was tempted since long time ago tu buy a karcher, but always had in my ear what an old mechanic said (when I was young) : "never put in purpose water and the car".
So I always wash the cars manually and not in carwash. It's very ecological too...and no water where shouldn't supposed to be.

 

[Grumps]

I bought mine in 2011 when it had just three years warranty and it is an earlier version. It failed just weeks after that warranty ran out.
They now have 5 years, so I can only assume that the new ones are less likely to fail. Have suggested that they fix this one or replace it with a new model on the basis that, considering what I paid for it, it isn;t fit for purpose.
At the current rate for repairs as well as the original cost, its costing £150pa. Not funny...

It sounds like you've been unfortunate Ian with your particular unit. Generally reading online they seem pretty good. Let's hope karcher do the right thing and sort it out for you.

 

[Redline]

I was tempted since long time ago tu buy a karcher, but always had in my ear what an old mechanic said (when I was young) : "never put in purpose water and the car".
So I always wash the cars manually and not in carwash. It's very ecological too...and no water where shouldn't supposed to be.

I wash the bodywork by hand but will use the washer on the wheels (not as good as by hand but it gets the grime off quickly), and, if it's out, then I'll rinse off the car after its been washed with it too, but not on full power.

Today, with lots to get done, it would have saved me enough time to get all three cars washed. As it happened, after messing about with the washer and then unforecast rain, I only managed to clean just one of the three (and it wasn't mine!!!).

Its main use is on the patio, walls, conservatory and garden furniture.
Have never ever used a carwash (hand or machine), although I noticed from my dash cam that the dealer used a machine wash when my car was in for service last year.

 

[Redline]

It sounds like you've been unfortunate Ian with your particular unit. Generally reading online they seem pretty good. Let's hope karcher do the right thing and sort it out for you.

It hadn't been used for 3-4 months. Have just checked the manual to see if there was anything in there regarding long term storage, but nothing. I suspect that they use different metals (steel and aluminium probably), which, in contact with oxygenated water, creates perfect corrosion conditions.

I'm hoping they'll see the light and hopefully I'll be able to post a positive outcome (for both Karcher and me).
At a total lifetime cost run rate at £150pa, is not what I expected when I bought it.

 

[Redline]

Well, I had a response from Karcher today, and sadly, it was entirely as I expected, a stock Customer Service response. That is, a denial of any responsibility for the poor MTBF of their product. Any further repairs are entirely at my expense. Thanks!

The conclusion I draw from their email is the implication that a complete failure less than every two years or less is acceptable. Not in my book.

Are you also happy having your washer out of commission and repaired every two years or less (even if that is under what is now a 5 year warranty)?

Now I suspect I've been very unfortunate in having two faults, but, that is of little comfort. I can't afford to keep funding this (or any Karcher) money pit. It amounts to an awful lot of fuel, miles and smiles!

Another Karcher? Mmmm...
So, what are the alternatives?

BTW - I may have some Karcher accessories for sale soon....

 

[Dino D]

What's actually wrong with it?


The VAX 2500w is interesting at £99.00.
Not as good accessories as with Karcher but I've not yet looked at what accessory options are available for it (or comparability with other brands):
http://www.vax.co.uk/pressure-washers

If this can be bought via Argos the returns should be simple if it breaks, I heard they just exchange things if they fail under warranty. Not tried their returns myself.

 

[Redline]

The pump doesn't start. I suspect corrosion inside has jammed it although it doesn't pop the fuse. Considering its 2100W that's some load if the motor is stalled.
Might try a Manchester spanner on it

Will take a look at options over the next few days.
Thanks

 

[Brian H]

The pump doesn't start. I suspect corrosion inside has jammed it although it doesn't pop the fuse. Considering its 2100W that's some load if the motor is stalled.
Might try a Manchester spanner on it

Will take a look at options over the next few days.
Thanks

Can you here the motor humming or does it just not start? There is a pressure switch in the later model pressure washer units which cuts off the motor when the pressure builds up (cuts down on putting a PRV in!), if this fails the motor will not start.

 

[t-tony]

If the motor doesn't recognise the presence of the low pressure water supply it won't continue to run.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

No problem with water pressure. No motor noise. I did take a look inside last time it failed but can't recall if the pressure switch was accessible.
Two failures in two years on something costing so much, irrespective of the cause, is simply not acceptable.
If I paid for another fix it's costing over £150 a year to own!
That's £50 a year just on repairs....

 

[Cooper]

Hi, Karcher have a great reputation here in Australia. I have heard of them failing only for a few reasons like;
01. the pump housing cracking due to freezing of water inside
02. user burns them out due to lack of water supply, or kinked hose etc.
03. damage due to contaminated water supply [like sand in the water, so use a filter and clean regularly].
04. don't use multiple extension cords as the voltage may drop and burn out the motor. I suggest not going over 20m.

Is there any possibility that one of these could be the issue? Hope you sort it all out

 

[Redline]

Hi, Karcher have a great reputation here in Australia. I have heard of them failing only for a few reasons like;
01. the pump housing cracking due to freezing of water inside
02. user burns them out due to lack of water supply, or kinked hose etc.
03. damage due to contaminated water supply [like sand in the water, so use a filter and clean regularly].
04. don't use multiple extension cords as the voltage may drop and burn out the motor. I suggest not going over 20m.

Is there any possibility that one of these could be the issue? Hope you sort it all out

None of those I'm afraid. I wish there was something that could explain it, even my own stupidity....

No frost here since last winter, even then, it has to be down to -20C before the location where its stored is likely to drop below zero degrees - that is an in-built garage, well away from the insulated door - never had anything freeze in there to be honest even when we had -27C. Its been used several times since last winter.

The hose rarely gets moved when I'm using it - Its not a hose that subject to getting kinks in it but I'm always careful - It's on a reel on wheels and gets reeled out starting from where I'm using it rather than pulled.The motor should cut out for low/no pressure.

Theres a filter on the tap and another on the timer unit I use for irrigation in the summer. Two filters should do it. Its possible that something could have got in the hose when not in use, but, I'd used the hose a while before I plugged it in to the washer this time anyways. Anything in there would have been washed through long before I tried it.

I use a 13A extension on a short reel (all un-reeled to stop inductive heating effects) - it's 2100W so will pull most of that on start-up. I would have thought the 2100W rating is the startup rating - when running it should be a little less than that at least. The fuse is fine - first thing I checked. The socket is just 1m from the fuse board and on its own fuse. Low voltage would not be a problem.

I know Karcher has a good reputation - but not with me at the moment

 

[Dino D]

Can hard water affect these pumps like with the pump in a boiler that circulates the the water? We have very hard water here in Kent.

Usually a 'tap' with a 'precision pump re-starting' tool does the trick. A 'Manchester hammer' sounds a bit heavy duty!

 

[Mac Romans]

Can hard water affect these pumps like with the pump in a boiler that circulates the the water? We have very hard water here in Kent.

Usually a 'tap' with a 'precision pump re-starting' tool does the trick. A 'Manchester hammer' sounds a bit heavy duty!

That sounds like my standard method. I call it 'percussion maintainance'.

 

[Redline]

I'll start with the pin Manchester spanner and work up through the leather and wood mallets to the Brick Manchester spanner and then the heavy duty Sledge version. One might just work
After that its the felling axe!

 

[Redline]

Karcher just asked if I had the hose connected properly - Dur
I might be stupid, but not quite that stupid....

 

[Cooper]

Oh, ask the Karcher repair guy what might be causing the problem and how often he has to fix them. He might provide the answer!

 

[Redline]

Oh, ask the Karcher repair guy what might be causing the problem and how often he has to fix them. He might provide the answer!

I can't get past the Customer Service desk at the moment. Its a bit like BT - you can't get to speak to someone who 'knows the job'.

 

[Cooper]

I can't get past the Customer Service desk at the moment. Its a bit like BT - you can't get to speak to someone who 'knows the job'.

I see. Can you ask where the nearest repair agent is [to get repairs done not under warranty] and then just go there and start chatting to him?

 

[Redline]

I see. Can you ask where the nearest repair agent is [to get repairs done not under warranty] and then just go there and start chatting to him?

I thought they did all repairs at their Banbury repair centre. Not been offered a local option (although I suspect Banbury would be closest anyway - I work just 10 miles from there). I suspect though that users of their pro kit would want local presence.