Karcher local repair is a JOKE...

Setec Astronomy said:
Darn...I really hate my B&D and I was hoping to replace it with one of those X-series machines. My old Karcher cost me $150 or $160 at Lowes and lasted a lot longer than I thought it would. I'm beginning to think the guys who said forget about these "cheap" machines and buy that electric for $550 are right.
Click to expand...

I went with this model because of it's feature. It has water cooled induction motor, which greatly reduce heat from pump/motor, extending life, reduce in noise, and built in pressurized hose reel.

What are these 550 electric power washers you talking about?

SeaJay's said:
Sorry to hear about this...I just recently purchased a Karcher...

If I were you I'd ensure that Karcher knows of this guys very unprofessional attitude and your experience. Sounds like they are doing business with the wrong service guy!
Click to expand...

I told them what happened and hope they remove him off their repair center. He was completely useless, I drove an hour to get there. He also told me he was going call a week later to pick up the power washer. I gave him 4 more days before calling him this morning. He told me that the pump was dead and it needed to be replaced, I already knew this... Then I asked him when can it be fixed/picked up? and it goes all south from here.

Bunky said:
Too bad. There was a lot of expectations that the X series would be more reliable than the prior models. It will be interesting to hear reports from others.

When I looked at the Karcher Rapid Exchange, if it happened after a month or so, you would not get a new one but a refurbished one.

When a manufacturer does not repair something, it usually tells you something about the parts/labor to fix it.

I am sure this is one reason why AG does not sell a pressure washer.
Click to expand...

From my experience most places that replaces stuff because of warranty are refurbished items. I'm guessing it's a lot easier for both parties to just exchange it for a working one. But some companies policies aren't as great as others.

I don't mind getting a refurbish one as long as it works and in new condition.
 
Slick, a lot of people recommend the Cam Spray one...I guess it's 675 bucks at that pressure washer site.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Slick, a lot of people recommend the Cam Spray one...I guess it's 675 bucks at that pressure washer site.
Click to expand...

Yeah heard good things about Cam Spray ones, I will most likely pick one of those up in the future, when mines crap out. I hope when I get my new power washer back it will last me at least a year.

richy said:
No, it was my old one. It was a 1600 psi model if I recall. Entry level one.
Click to expand...

Thanks. :xyxthumbs:

Most owners are happy with their X series, I hope mine was just a dud. I had mine for about 6 months and it was lightly used.
 
I wonder if flushing these things after use with some salt-a-way, salt off, or similar product would postpone the pumps' early demise?
 
I have posted the following time after time.

ALL CHEAP PRESSURE WASHERS WILL FAIL. And most will develop the common "water leaking out the bottom and the washer starting and stopping" problem

The best possible method of handling the crappy pressure washer repair problem is not to repair it at all.

Buy the washer at Costco. Save the box and the sales slip and when it fails take it back and get another. Costco will wholesale all their defective merchandise to a broker that will junk it, or resell it. It won't be sold to anyone else as new.

I am currently on my fourth washer from Costco. They last anywhere from two month to a few years. Brand doesn't seem to make any difference. Karcher, Powermaster, Snap-On, they all fail in exactly the same way.

Richy. Did your self repaired washer hold up after the repair you did, and what parts did Karcher have you replace. I have a dead Karcher apart right now that I found in a neighbors trash. Same leaking out the bottom problem.
 
oldmodman said:
I have posted the following time after time.

ALL CHEAP PRESSURE WASHERS WILL FAIL. And most will develop the common "water leaking out the bottom and the washer starting and stopping" problem

The best possible method of handling the crappy pressure washer repair problem is not to repair it at all.

Buy the washer at Costco. Save the box and the sales slip and when it fails take it back and get another. Costco will wholesale all their defective merchandise to a broker that will junk it, or resell it. It won't be sold to anyone else as new.

I am currently on my fourth washer from Costco. They last anywhere from two month to a few years. Brand doesn't seem to make any difference. Karcher, Powermaster, Snap-On, they all fail in exactly the same way.

Richy. Did your self repaired washer hold up after the repair you did, and what parts did Karcher have you replace. I have a dead Karcher apart right now that I found in a neighbors trash. Same leaking out the bottom problem.
Click to expand...


That's great advice on buying from Cosco! Mine actually broke twice over a number of years. The first time, it was my fault. I stepped on the hose right as it enters the machine and it broke the plastic elbow joint that feeds into the machine. I'm a klutz, what can I say? Anyway, I ordered the new piece from them and they sent me detailed instructions on removing/replacing it. I don't think I even had time to finish my cigar before I had finished the job.
The 2nd time the motor was kinda revving up and down. I called them and I guess it's a common problem. Again, ordered the part and did the job myself with the enclosed directions. I am hard on them and run hot water through them in the winter. I don't expect them to last but a few years. This will be the 3rd summer with my new Karcher if I recall. It has been flawless so far (damn! I hope I didn't just jinx myself!!!!)
 
I forgot to unplug the machine from outlet last time I used it. When I got home couple weeks ago, I heard pumping noise coming from it. Do you think that leaving it in outlet caused the machine from malfunction/leaking?

I'm going be more careful with my new unit. Draining out water and unplugging it from outlet every time.
 
slickooz said:
I forgot to unplug the machine from outlet last time I used it. When I got home couple weeks ago, I heard pumping noise coming from it. Do you think that leaving it in outlet caused the machine from malfunction/leaking?

I'm going be more careful with my new unit. Draining out water and unplugging it from outlet every time.
Click to expand...

Oh...so you didn't turn off the switch on the front of the unit? Sounds like this was the problem.
 
Yeah it was left on for a couple hours. When I got home it stopped working. I didn't think it was going be a problem because the motor only pumps when I press the trigger.
 
slickooz said:
Yeah it was left on for a couple hours. When I got home it stopped working. I didn't think it was going be a problem because the motor only pumps when I press the trigger.
Click to expand...

I think to be accurate, the motor only pumps when the pressure switch closes, which is what happens when you pull the trigger. If you shut off the water but leave the power on, the pressure is eventually going to bleed down, and start the motor--but it won't shut off because it will never get up to pressure because the water isn't on...and that will likely overheat something.
 
^ Thanks, that makes sense. I'm going be more careful next time.
 
Any Karcher electric p/w I have owned and looked at clearly states in the owners manuals not to use anything but cold water in them. I have had extremely good luck with the ones I owned getting around 6 years of heavy use( I wash my car a lot) from them before I have to retire them . I have never had a pump fail it is always the plastic parts that attach to the pump for water inlet and outlet etc.The last one I retired was actually 8 years old and I was going to buy the part to repair but my wife bought me a new one for christmas ,the new 500 series not the water cooled ones .I will never buy any other kind of P/W than Karcher , they are the best for the money you spend.

Glenn
 
^ It's good to hear about Karcher lasting that long, give me a little reinsurance about owning one. I guess it was user error on my end when mine started leaking.
 
slickooz said:
^ It's good to hear about Karcher lasting that long, give me a little reinsurance about owning one. I guess it was user error on my end when mine started leaking.
Click to expand...

This asks the questions how much of these pressure washers failures are operator induced. We know they tip over and break.

I used my father in law's Karcher for less than 10 minutes and it sprung a leak. I was able to replace the part (a plastic elbow) and get it working again.
 
Bunky said:
This asks the questions how much of these pressure washers failures are operator induced. We know they tip over and break.

I used my father in law's Karcher for less than 10 minutes and it sprung a leak. I was able to replace the part (a plastic elbow) and get it working again.
Click to expand...

I tried to be very careful with mine, but I tipped mine after a couple use. The plastic part broke and I replaced it with a brass connector.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top