Looking for a new power washer.

Get gas if you can afford and also are not really travelling with it (or if you dont have a dedicated detail truck), otherwise I'd pick up a cheaper electric with either the best warranty you can find or do the Costco thing because it WILL break. My mothers electric karcher lasted 6 months of minimal use, my gas Honda has been going strong for 5 years now without a single thing breaking and moderate use.
 
Do you know which model/cost your mother bought?

I was in a bit of a rush to get one. I got a detail this Sunday and needed to use prime to get it to me asap.
 
As far as electric units go, they have gone far downhill in terms of quality the last 10-20 years. You used to be able to get a decent quality unit at the department store. Not anymore. 15 years ago Karcher only put their name on decent products; today, not the case. I don't know anything about the unit you're looking at (on amazon) other than what the reviewers say which is that it is very easily to pull over causing the unit to require repair because the connections break off the front. I still own and use a residential 1500psi campbell hausfeld that I purchased new in the late 90's from wallyworld. It's entirely made in Italy and is used 3 seasons and never had pump seal or any form of failure beside replacing the hose/wand/attachments with commercial grade accessories. I didn't expect it to last 5 years, but it just keeps going and never struggles. I would absolutely not recommend CH brand anymore, as from what I've read their residential stuff really sucks now. Here is a northern tool intermediate grade unit for 469.99, my be worth a look. NorthStar Electric Cold Water Pressure Washer — 1700 PSI, 1.5 GPM, 120 Volt | Electric-Cold Water | Northern Tool + Equipment
 
slickooz said:
Do you know which model/cost your mother bought?

I was in a bit of a rush to get one. I got a detail this Sunday and needed to use prime to get it to me asap.
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Sorry, I don't. She got it a while back and now I just have to bring my gas one over to her house whenever she needs one (of course, I have to do the work now too!). She never replaced it, just tossed it.
 
jbgrant said:
As far as electric units go, they have gone far downhill in terms of quality the last 10-20 years. You used to be able to get a decent quality unit at the department store. Not anymore. 15 years ago Karcher only put their name on decent products; today, not the case. I don't know anything about the unit you're looking at (on amazon) other than what the reviewers say which is that it is very easily to pull over causing the unit to require repair because the connections break off the front. I still own and use a residential 1500psi campbell hausfeld that I purchased new in the late 90's from wallyworld. It's entirely made in Italy and is used 3 seasons and never had pump seal or any form of failure beside replacing the hose/wand/attachments with commercial grade accessories. I didn't expect it to last 5 years, but it just keeps going and never struggles. I would absolutely not recommend CH brand anymore, as from what I've read their residential stuff really sucks now. Here is a northern tool intermediate grade unit for 469.99, my be worth a look. NorthStar Electric Cold Water Pressure Washer — 1700 PSI, 1.5 GPM, 120 Volt | Electric-Cold Water | Northern Tool + Equipment
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Thanks! I haven't used power washer long enough to know which brands are good, but I had the cheaper Kracher from clearance for 50 bucks. Lasted about 6 months with light use, until water started coming out from the bottom of it. I'm hoping their more expensive ones is worth it.

I heard good things about Northstar and right now it is out of my budget. Hope to buy one one day.

D_Nyholm said:
Sorry, I don't. She got it a while back and now I just have to bring my gas one over to her house whenever she needs one (of course, I have to do the work now too!). She never replaced it, just tossed it.
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If the Kracher sucks, I'm going return it and get a gas one. Heard gas power washers are a lot more reliable.
 
I have only ever used karcher models of pressure washers in my last 20-25 years of cleaning /caring for my vehicles . I have found a few weaknesses in them but if you know of them they will last for many years . First thing is where the garden hose hooks on to the front of the Karcher , this part is only plastic and will crack if not careful when removing hose or installing , my solution was to buy a small section of hose ,about 2' ,and leave it attached to the washer and install a quick connect to the other end. Secondly use the pressure washer pump maintance fluid for colder months , it works to keep the pump lubricated . I have only had 2 Karcher washers in the 20-25 years and my second one is still working great ,i wore out the first one . The only other thing I could say is they are very easy to repair if they do break and parts are not very expensive from US dealers . i would have to say Karcher are probably one of the best PW on the marker ,for electric models .

Glenn
 
slickooz said:
My Karcher power washer was acting weird and now its broken. I need to get a new power washer asap. I would like to stay with Karcher because I got a foam cannon that connects to it. But most reviews on amazon says it's a waste of money/time.

I found a Karcher on Amazon for 260, and was wonder if it was worth it. This one has good review but 260 is very close to a gas powered one.
Amazon.com: Karcher K 5.540 X-Series 2,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer With Hose Reel: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Any help is much appreciated. Trying to get one before August 7th because I got an Accord to do.
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That's the NEW X-series Karchers! I bought the same one, just 1800PSI. It's bad ass! :dblthumb2:
 
Mark, how long have you had the power washer for? I'm hoping I can get a couple years out of this one.
 
I'm close to buying a low-end Karcher, for no other purpose buy foam re-soak, but hearing all this puts me off, makes me think I should go back to my original idea of just finding a way to get the ordinary foam gun to connect to my hose connects.

watson1000 said:
I have only ever used karcher models of pressure washers in my last 20-25 years of cleaning /caring for my vehicles . I have found a few weaknesses in them but if you know of them they will last for many years . First thing is where the garden hose hooks on to the front of the Karcher , this part is only plastic and will crack if not careful when removing hose or installing , my solution was to buy a small section of hose ,about 2' ,and leave it attached to the washer and install a quick connect to the other end.
...
I have only had 2 Karcher washers in the 20-25 years and my second one is still working great ,i wore out the first one .
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That could be because they were made some years ago..?..and now the build quality is not as good.

Good tip on the garden hose connection.
 
If you search online for a schematic of your Karcher model you will notice that there is 3 plastic pieces on the bottom of the motor housing ,these are what breaks on the Karcher washers . I have replaced all three of these pieces on my current washer and it still works great , parts cost me between 10-25 depending on the piece I needed and easy to change. the current washer I have is a K3.97 I think and it is approx 10 years old and still running strong . The motor itself has never failed ,it is extremly well built ,it is just the plastic pieces that are the problems.

Glenn
 
slickooz said:
Electric vs Gas
Whats their pro and con of each?

I had 3 of the cheaper Karcher electric power washer and they all broke, within one year.... Good thing I bought them at clearance for 40 each, or I would gone crazy.
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Most electric units are better at noise (LOWER) levels than gas units
 
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