As others have said, non ethanol fuel is a key. For the pump they make a pump cleaner/lubricant that you're supposed to use. Having said that, I have a 4000 psi unit with hot water that I've had for almost 12 years that never gives me any issues.

I do all that and my Troy-Bilt is still working great after 10 years.

Darn. I was going to buy one with a Honder engine. I always think if it's got a Honda engine it must be excellent.

I DON'T like electric ones. I always think I'm going to get electricuted. All that water and electricity....

The subaru that I got at Costco a couple years ago always works fine.

Yes sir! That's how it's done. That, and a Honda engine on a Karcher pump. Going on 16 years.SmileWavy

The Craftsman I had worked fantastic for YEARS. Then E10 killed it.

I have a gas (Honda) Karcher and an electric (Sun Joe) but was at a client's property today and he was up on a ladder washing his metal roof panels using one of these.....$99 at HD......

Ryobi 1,600 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer

https://images.homedepot-static.com/...12-64_1000.jpg

Have had a $500 HF pressure washer which has run flawlessly for the last 5 years. The great thing about HF is they have this crazy warranty you can buy for cheap, where if you bring the unit back, running or not within the year you bought it, they give you a replacement no questions asked. Get the replacement and pay another $15 for another warranty, and then repeat year after year.

THIS THING IS A BEAST, both in physical size and power strength. must be 3' x 3' x 24" wide. Great tube frame work design, good ergo rolling it. Wand is heavier duty. Makes my other 2500-3000 psi units look like hobby toys.

They list it as 4400 psi, 4.2 gpm, and a 420cc engine (started on 2nd pull, and was little pull strength needed)

nice, $799 and a 2 year $150 no questions asked return policy and they give you a new one. It's a hellll of a lot of machine. :eek:SmileWavy

https://shop.harborfreight.com/media...4/64931_W3.jpg

That is pretty much the one I have. Amazing how long it runs on a tank. The price has gone up in 5 years. You will like it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1586059499.jpg

Simpson Water Blaster - cold water pressure washer with Honda GX 390 motor. It's been totally reliable, and we use the hell out of it. Typically for 4-6 hours at a stretch. The pump uses 30-wt non detergent oil. You have to change it probably once per year or so. Typical wet sump engine lubrication using 10-30wt oil.

I have an electric Stihl that I bought used for $50 retails for several hundreds. Works great!

I got hold of a 'trashed' pw that would not start unless the handle was on.
But once it got started and warmed up, it was a beast.

I try to keep the water flowing while it's running. Cycling the on/off all the time probably does damage to the internals and pump.

I have a 200 cc 3,000 psi 'Mack', which appears to be just a Chinese high volume cheap washer.

Today I had to re-seal the case (major oil leak over the winter), acid wash the fuel tank (the gas cap is not rain tight so my 'fuel' was 90% water). From the water/rust the fuel shut-off valve was clogged, so that had to be drilled out.

By the end of the day I got it to fire on quick-start.

Tomorrow I can reassemble, and then hope the carb and pump work....

If I wasn't quarantined I would question my sanity, but I don't have much else to do right now. :rolleyes:

My used Still has this exact problem. If I release the handle in the model of a spray job it won't start up again. So I have to plan my cleaning jobs carefully ;)

Maybe your pump bypass is stuck closed.


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I just changed the oil on my Generac Pressure washer today, and did some cleaning. Works great. The main thing, I always disconnect the hoses when I'm done, and pull the starter a few times to clear the water out of the pump. They recommend putting antifreeze into the pump over winter, or if it's going to sit a long time.

Used my new Karcher yesterday. It was great. Almost blew me off my feet.

Dad bought a used one, not sure the brand but looks very similar to the Simpson above. The only issue with it is that it doesn't always start on the first pull. We never use anything but E0 in it and put Stabil in at the end of the season.

I've tried to kill my Troy built one for years and it still runs strong - Nothing but E0 - (it's probably 10 years old and I use it all the time on boats/dock/porch)