Gas Pressure Washers Suck regardless of brand

[Rusty Heap]

What does it take to get a Home Residential heavy duty pressure washer to last???


Simplest device in the world. A gas motor, a pump, and a wand/cart doo-hickey of some odd-ball combination.


RANT on my soap box.

I consider myself an above average small engine mechanic.

I own 5 acres so my projects tend to be bigger than a condo/apt owner using a $199 electric unit.


For the life of me I can't keep a pressure washer fully functional for more than a couple of home projects, deck / driveway / fencing.


I've had 2500-4000 psi units. $400-$1000+ Cheap ones and expensive. AR pumps made in Italy to CAT pumps. Honda Motors vs Mystery Engines.


I don't mind rebuilding carbs, installing new o-rings, and dig in deep repairs. But holy crap this sucks................

Items that ALWAYS fail :

soap injection suction pre-wash
pump o-rings to keep pressure
Pump by-pass pressure valve while at idle.
Wands falling apart.
Gas engine constant carb issues


off my soapbox, but low low hour units seem to die a early premature death of some sorts.



grrrrrrrrrr


!#$%#^^%$&*^()&*


I'm about to go to Harbor Freight to just get a cheap 4000 psi with cheap AR pump and cheap Predator generic motor...............$799. BUT FOR SURE get the extended warranty simply to return it 3 times a year so I always have a fresh one at the start of a major project............

are we really at that level of disposable society.???

[bivenator]

Yep, dealing with carb issues with mine for the second time in less than a year. Could be the ethenol in gas that I am using. Super sucky though.

[biosurfer1]

Guess I got a good one before they went to crap. Bought mine at Costco in '05/'06 and have barely done any maintenance in all this time. Still starts up and runs all day if needed.

[SiberianDVM]

Just bought a Karcher yesterday (my electric Karcher has lasted more than 20 years) and then went on a hunt for non-ethanol gas.

[herr_oberst]

I've had mine a long, long time. At least 15 years. About the only maintenance I ever do is make sure to run the gas tank dry at the end of every session. Bone dry.

[dad911]

I've had my Karcher a long time. Last year pump went bad, but motor was good, so i bought a replacement pump on amazon, $70.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by bivenator

Yep, dealing with carb issues with mine for the second time in less than a year. Could be the ethenol in gas that I am using. Super sucky though.

Ethanol is evil . Hell, even non-ethanol 93 ain't what it used to be (even w/ Stabil added). I've had more issues the past year than ever before with my 2 cycles...some I've had forever.

That said....my new go to chainsaw doesn't have a carb....big

[red-beard]

The Home Depot special with a Honda Engine has been doing fine. I need to get the carbs fixed on a couple of generators...

What is the secret? Viton instead of Butyl-N o-rings?

[No Sweat]

1 Don't run anything other than water through the pump !!!
2 Always get any air out of the hose/pump before starting !!
3 Don't let it run in bypass for more than a minute !!
4 Chemicals will eat the pump o'rings and the hose o'rings !!
5 Always use stabilizer with Ethanol gas or find Ethanol free gas !!

That's a start for now, Mine is 20 years old and still GREAT.

[rusnak]

You might have a lot of sand in your water. Simpson makes a filter that you can use on the intake side. There is also a lubricant that you add during storage to help the pump seals last. I have a Simpson water blaster that has lasted over 10 years now.

[Rusty Heap]

This may be the unit..............good old HF.

$899

I found a $100 off coupon, for $799.

4000 psi with a vario pressure reg on the wand.



https://www.harborfreight.com/4400-psi-42-gpm-13-hp-420cc-commercial-duty-pressure-washer-epa-64931.html



Northern and Northstar are $$$. the next price point seems like Belt driven in the $1600 range.
Costco would have a return policy but may not stock the unit.
Lowes and HDepot about the same.

[Rusty Heap]

Originally Posted by No Sweat

1 Don't run anything other than water through the pump !!!
2 Always get any air out of the hose/pump before starting !!
3 Don't let it run in bypass for more than a minute !!
4 Chemicals will eat the pump o'rings and the hose o'rings !!
5 Always use stabilizer with Ethanol gas or find Ethanol free gas !!

That's a start for now, Mine is 20 years old and still GREAT.

Those have always been my 5 golden rules too................good list!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by No Sweat

1 Don't run anything other than water through the pump !!!

Cold water only.

[Nickshu]

I ditched my gas pressure washer a couple years ago and went to a Karcher K-series electric and have not looked back. Very happy with it, much more reliable than my gas Honda/Karcher washer that it replaced.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by red-beard

..... I need to get the carbs fixed on a couple of generators.........

I gave up fixing. When they act up, new fuel lines, filters, and carbs (cheap - Amazon).

I think it's the alcohol in the gas. Some fuel lines/rubber swell shut, others disintegrate.

[JonT]

I have a Simpson with Honda engine. I run the expensive gas from Menards 50:1 in it. Seems to work well. Starts right up sitting all winter in heated garage.

[stevej37]

I've owned and used a Northern Tool pressure washer with a Honda engine for at least 15 years now.
Works perfectly ever time.
I learned quickly to shut the water off and release the pressure when starting. Fires right up every time.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by red-beard

The Home Depot special with a Honda Engine has been doing fine. I need to get the carbs fixed on a couple of generators...

What is the secret? Viton instead of Butyl-N o-rings?

I had a no name and the pump was always funky leaking the oil out all over the chassis. The carb? Buy a new one for less than $15 shipped.

[masraum]

I had one for probably 10-15 years. I think it was a Rigid with a subaru motor, 3x00 psi, I want to say 3600 or 3800, but I can't remember for sure. It didn't get tons of use, probably 10-15 times, but it always started despite being neglected.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I had a no name and the pump was always funky leaking the oil out all over the chassis. The carb? Buy a new one for less than $15 shipped.

Yep...Honda Generator....

Plastic Honda bag with O-rings, gaskets, etc. - $15

Quality (Made in Japan, but not Honda) replacement carb, shipped - $15