The "what pressure washer" thread

[LuS1fer]

The reviews I have seen on the Karchers tend to suggest they use cheap bits and they will fail but I suppose if bought cheaply enough, having a new one regularly may pan out. Most washers are doomed to some eventual failure given water is not an ideal preservation medium.

My mother had a cheapo Wickes one that lasted a couple of years but she has replaced it with a Nilfisk. However, next to my Lavor, the Nilfisk is a mere toy. The Lavor comes with long thick pipes, brass fittings and solid plastic connectors and looks like it could take a good punch so to speak.

Edited by LuS1fer on Tuesday 8th January 21:05

[Willy Nilly]

CraigyMc said:

Kärcher.

Herr Kärcher invented the pressure washer, you know

These people do factory refurbished Kärcher pressure washers.
This one is on sale, £58.94 delivered http://www.karcheroutlet.co.uk/products/product.as...

One of the benefits is that they tend to be repairable if something does break (I also buy bosch stuff, for the same reason).

C

We have a Karcher at work, about a grands worth, in fact we've had 2 that I know of. They are ok but I don't think they are as durable as they should be for something "industrial". Yes they do 3 phase versions, but that won't make any difference to the pump, or the lance or the poxy o-rings that let go when you put the heat on. I dread to think what a 60 quid pressure washer is like

[Rew]

I bought a Karcher before. It lasted just ten minutes and within that time, smoke was pouring out and you could smell burning. They just gave me my money back and said it could not be repaired.

Bought a Nilfisk replacement and its still going strong after 3 years. Comes with a 2 year warranty too.

[tbc]

Wait until end of Janurary,

Karcher are launching a new range next week

are the K2 any good even though they are under £100 and supposed to be 110 bar

[CraigyMc]

Rew said:

I bought a Karcher before. It lasted just ten minutes and within that time, smoke was pouring out and you could smell burning. They just gave me my money back and said it could not be repaired.

Bought a Nilfisk replacement and its still going strong after 3 years. Comes with a 2 year warranty too.

Because that's clearly what's going to commonly happen with an example of each...

[tbc]

anyone got one of these, how bad can it be?

surely if it last a year and you use all summer and it goes bang, just take it back and get it replaced


http://www.diy.com/search/Pressure%20washers/1350W...

[whoami]

tbc said:

anyone got one of these, how bad can it be?

surely if it last a year and you use all summer and it goes bang, just take it back and get it replaced


http://www.diy.com/search/Pressure%20washers/1350W...

Read the reviews.

It's st.

[Rew]

CraigyMc said:

Rew said:

I bought a Karcher before. It lasted just ten minutes and within that time, smoke was pouring out and you could smell burning. They just gave me my money back and said it could not be repaired.

Bought a Nilfisk replacement and its still going strong after 3 years. Comes with a 2 year warranty too.

Because that's clearly what's going to commonly happen with an example of each...

Probably not, however, just sharing the experience I had, Jees.

[sleep envy]

SBN said:

Had my karcher about 2years and it started leaking about 3 months ago. It still works but just pulses now trying to gain preassure when its not spraying.

Need a new one unless this is common and can be fixed

Mine did that and ran fine for about 6/7 years until I killed it by dropping it and cracked the case.

It still runs but don't fancy mixing electricity and water with an open washer.

[RichB]

SBN said:

Had my karcher about 2years and it started leaking about 3 months ago. It still works but just pulses now trying to gain preassure when its not spraying.

My 1st Karcher lasted about 3 years before it gave up, 2nd one, which cost twice as much only lasted 2 years (and Karcher had to replace the lance after only 1 year, really disappointed. I didn't bother with a 3rd one, spent even more and bought a Mikita instead. I wouldn't bother with a Karcher from my experience.

[eliot]

Or buy a proper pressure washer with a decent motor and a metal pump - then you measure how long it lasts in decades not years.
This is identical to mine:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Industrial-pressure-wash...
Thats a standard industrial pump and you can get spares for it all day long.

Edited by eliot on Tuesday 8th January 21:43

[RichB]

eliot said:

Or buy a proper pressure washer with a decent motor and a metal pump - then you measure how long it lasts in decades not years.

Indeed that's what the Mikita has...

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Is there any truth behind this 'Karcher use plastic compressors' I keep hearing?
If so - any evidence to back that up, like which models?

The compressor in my Karcher K6.50 is all aluminium.

[stevensdrs]

Karcher budget/domestic range pressure washers are a waste of money. The pump housing is plastic and the motor and gearbox is a sealed for life type unit. It will break just out of warranty and will not be economic to repair. It may even crack due to frost which will not be covered under warranty.
If you are going to buy one of these expect to change it every 2 years.

I am currently using a Halfords unit which has heavy use every other day and I have used it for 5 years. On it's own out of the box it is useless, but when connected to an old quality built Karcher lance and hose it performs excellently. The pump housing is aluminium, heavy and solid and can be stripped down and rebuilt in less than 30 minutes. I paid £40 for it refurbished. I expect it to last a very long time.

[gf15]

Another Karcher goes pop.

My previous 2 Karcher Pressure washer's lasted about 3 years before going pop.
Current one was bought from the Karcher outlet,I spent the extra and bought a K4.600 which is classed as a suitable for regular use with a metal water cooled pump. Unit failed after a couple of months, during which I used it 4 or 5 times. Replacement arrived, which had been very well used (looked like it has been used in an industrial premises) and which did not have any pressure, which I rejected. Bit of a battle with the Karcher outlet, eventually got a working unit back. It lasted 18 months and is now spewing water out from the plastic pump head. I have cleaned the deck twice and probably washed the cars about 60 times.
Spares: No chance
Buy from Karcher outlet again: No
Buy Karcher pressure washer again: Never.

Off to but a pressure washer that is not yellow!

[gf15]

I now feel better having got the above off my chest!

[RichB]

gf15 said:

Another Karcher goes pop.

<clip> Off to but a pressure washer that is not yellow!

I had two, both went pop, the 2nd one after only 18 months. I took it to the tip and bought a Makita.

[ADParker]

Vax have an end of year sale on right now ending in a couple of days. All their pressure washers have aluminium pumps and come with 2 year guarantees.

http://www.vaxsale.co.uk/pressure-washers

Use MSE14 password to access the sale.

[Andehh]

ADParker said:

Vax have an end of year sale on right now ending in a couple of days. All their pressure washers have aluminium pumps and come with 2 year guarantees.

http://www.vaxsale.co.uk/pressure-washers

Use MSE14 password to access the sale.

Thanks mate, just ordered one!

[The_Gza]

Similar experience here - bought a few Karchers gradually working up the range but got fed up for them expiring after a couple of years. Bit the bullet and got a decent Nilfisk (E140) with a metal pump and a longer rubber hose from Q Washers so I wouldn't have to drag it around to wash the car. No issues with it so far.