Pressure washer advice
 

I think I am finally going to break down and buy a power washer this spring. I have a Honda snowblower and lawn mower that have not given me any problems. It looks like Honda doesn't make pressure washers, just the motors. So should I just get a washer that has a Honda motor or get one from a different manufacturer?

Thanks for the input.

When they fail it is typically aluminum corrosion in the pumps. I do not know how you would stop that, but essentially they are disposable.

I am not sure that a good motor matters when the pump is going to crap out first.

It's the quality of the pump that matters in a pressure washer. How much pressure do you want/need?

I bought a Karcher pump (2800 psi) with a Honda 5.0 horse motor. It's a fine machine, but given the 6 or 7 years I've had it, I would do it over and get an electric. I don't use it enough to maintain another gas engine. Also, over the years the electrics have increased with pumps to give more psi output than previous. Check out Costco.

What do you want it for? Constant use? Occasional use? How much pressure you need?
Of yuo are going to do some light cleaning once or twice a year, save some money and get a cheapo electric for$75. Throw it away and but another after 5 years.

if you really need a big, powerful, expensive unit then go for a more expensive one.

BTW harbor freight has several that start at 2000 psi and 4 hp for $270 and go up to 2500 psi and 6.5 hp for $350.
Pressure Washers at Harbor Freight Tools

I would use it for light duty cleaning- house, deck, grill, outdoor chairs and maybe the neighbors cat.

I will look into an electric one.

Thanks for the advice.

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Unless Honda has fixed the carb vs. ethanol issue, I would go with the Briggs and Stratton engine.

More about gpm(gallons per minute) than psi if you have any sizable work to do.

I rent them every 5 years...

Madmmac is quite correct. The cleaning ability of a pressure washer is far more dependent on gallons per minute than PSI. The better portable machines are in the 4 to 4.5 gpm. range. When you get to 5.5+ you are talking about a 20 to 25 hp. motor.

Pumps are not necessarily disposable. A good shop can rebuild a good pump for relatively little compared to the cost of replacement.

Rent one

I have a nice/decent Honda engined Karcher one that takes up space and I use twice a year. It works great, but sits most of the time.

I had one with the honda engine. The pump went out after about 4 years. I use it to wash the house, deck, cars, boat, ect. I then bought one of the electric ones that Home depot sells. It really does not do the job for me. I'll be buying another gas powered one this year.

I gave my old one to my neighbor. He bought a replacement pump somewhere and is still using it.

Provided it's not aluminum.