A while back I figured I would try my luck with a harbor freight gas powered pressure washer. It started out great until one day I went to use it and noticed the fuel tank HEAVILY rusted and carburetor clogged. Despite the use of fuel stabilizer the tank still continues to rust after cleaning it, and the carburetor corrodes to the point of needing a cleaning every time I go to use it. While I am satisfied with the power of this unit, it's reliability leaves a lot to be desired. Has anyone found a decently priced electric pressure washer that lasts and has the ability to be repaired? I see northern tool has some nice ones for over $600 that plug into a standard 120 outlet and have enough power to clean cement, plus use a rebuildable triplex pump. I'd rather ask here before dropping another $300 only to be aggravated again.
any electric pressure washers worth mentioning???
- Thread starter mech-tech
- Start date
stang2007
Well-known member
Alot of the rusting of fuel tanks, and clogging of Carbs has to do with Ethanol in the fuels. there is a separate treatment for Ethanol. I would clean the Carb and treat with it moving forward. most people have a poor opinion of electric power washers that wont break the bank.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
So far I have been happy with a whored out SO name 2000 psi washer. Got it for $200 and reviews are better then anything eles in the price range. For what and how often I'm going to use it, I didn't want gas. Yeah when you are use to a $6000 commercial steam cleaner, it's a lot slower washing a skidsteer, but it does it.
TigerDude
Well-known member
leaving gas because your harbor freight model isn't up to task is like not driving cars because your first one was a 1975 Ford.
Honda all the way.
Honda all the way.
four.cycle
Well-known member
actually not sure if it's "worth mentioning", but I've been using a tiny Karcher electric model for years without any problems. yeah, it's tiny... low pressure... not suited for commercial work, but it serves its purpose, and doesn't take up a whole lot of space.
cost-to-benefit ratio on a gas-powered unit for me is a non-starter - I just don't have need for 3600 PSI.
(and my first car was a '68 Ford, not a '75)
cost-to-benefit ratio on a gas-powered unit for me is a non-starter - I just don't have need for 3600 PSI.
(and my first car was a '68 Ford, not a '75)
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
An electric pressure washer that has the same "power" (PSI and more important GPM) as a 5-7 hp gas pressure washer will require at least a "real" 2 hp motor and 240V.
If you were happy with the one you had use it as a basis for comparing specs.
If you were happy with the one you had use it as a basis for comparing specs.
I have this one, that I purchased at Orchelns, for $39, just a couple of years ago. I wish I had bought all they had at that sale price.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B6KQZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Seems to work like a pressure washer. No reason to think the higher end models are not excellent, also.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B6KQZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Seems to work like a pressure washer. No reason to think the higher end models are not excellent, also.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
It is gallons per minute that get the job done, NOT PSI.
The wife bought on of the little Karchers. It took like 5-10 minutes to clean the moss off of ONE 6" wide fence board !!
How old is a gas powered pressure washer, that it has a metal fuel tank on it?
Just curious.
If you like the pressure washer, how about a $2 in-line fuel filter?
bob_the_builder
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2010
- Messages
- 404
Kränzle is the way to go.
The gas pressure washer was bought brand new 2 years ago. Nothing I have has rust in the tank except this engine. I am sure the gas played a part in the moisture getting in the tank, but from what I have read these harbor freight engines are known for fuel tanks rusting. I'm just getting tired of working on this dang thing every time I go to use it. There isn't even any room for a fuel filter to be added, all it has is a small screen on the fuel tank grommet.
four.cycle
Well-known member
theoldwizard1 said:
well... that's curious, because all the gas-powered models I've used (or worked on) had the PSI rating emblazoned in huge numbers on the panel attached to the handlebars.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
2500 psi sounds more impressive then 2.5 gpm.
kctyphoon
Banned
Just a thought - you can buy an entire replacement carb off amazon for like $25, and a fuel filter - or maybe a plastic tank might be available too..
Anything pressure washer related I go right here.. You can learn a lot from this site too.
Pressurewashersdirect.com. They have like 500 models to pick from, so a little better than HD or Lowes..
Also -
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) refers to the amount of cleaning pressure that the unit can produce. GPM (Gallons per Minute) is the amount of water that is coming from the unit. Cleaning Units (CU) is the result of multiplying the PSI by the GPM. The psi is more important if you need to remove material like paint off of concrete and imbedded dirt. A high psi model with a narrow tip can chew through a 2x4 at close range.
The GPM becomes more important if you want to build a machine that can use more than one wand at the same time.. Whatever you do, if you have a lot of sidewalks to clean, BUY A SURFACE CLEANING ATTACHMENT. It will change your life. I have a cheap one from HD to use on my 3300 psi John Deere. It's cuts cleaning time of all my sidewalk into 1/4 of the time.
Anything pressure washer related I go right here.. You can learn a lot from this site too.
Pressurewashersdirect.com. They have like 500 models to pick from, so a little better than HD or Lowes..
Also -
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) refers to the amount of cleaning pressure that the unit can produce. GPM (Gallons per Minute) is the amount of water that is coming from the unit. Cleaning Units (CU) is the result of multiplying the PSI by the GPM. The psi is more important if you need to remove material like paint off of concrete and imbedded dirt. A high psi model with a narrow tip can chew through a 2x4 at close range.
The GPM becomes more important if you want to build a machine that can use more than one wand at the same time.. Whatever you do, if you have a lot of sidewalks to clean, BUY A SURFACE CLEANING ATTACHMENT. It will change your life. I have a cheap one from HD to use on my 3300 psi John Deere. It's cuts cleaning time of all my sidewalk into 1/4 of the time.
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Quick question on the surface cleaning attachment, Can you sweep with them? By sweep I mean will it push water and debris ahead of it to move them to the side of the patio. I'm assuming your referring to one of the rotary type that looks like a rotary mower.
Thanks
lg
no neat sig line
kctyphoon
Banned
No, for that you would want a water broom attachment. The psi of your machine will determine say a 3 nozzle over a 4 nozzle. That website i posted will probably have a guide.
I actually suggest both. They work well together. The surface cleaner will lift heavily embedded dirt, and the broom can be used to push it off the concrete or patio so it doesn't just settle back down. The broom will lift some dirt too, but not like a surface cleaner can.
Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk
Thanks. Being in the middle of farm country we get a lot of dust, pollen, and other 'stuff' on the concrete here and it has to be blasted off. Most times with just a hose nozzle but spring usually gets a pressure washing with a 'turbo' nozzle. Effective but slow.
lg
no neat sig line
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
My 2 year old John Deere Pressure Washer w/Honda has a metal fuel tank...
I had an electric washer...I'm honestly torn on the whole thing...I had a nice large 240V 2hp or so Electric washer...the allure of electric is cool, but I prefer Gas.
To wash cars in the driveway...Electric all the way, nice & quiet, no idling or starting/stopping of the engine. But especially with a large one I don't have 100' of 6 gauge Extension cords, nor do I have 240v30A outlets all over the place so the range of where I could use it was limited. A smaller 120v unit would fix the power issue, at the expense of PSI/GPM...
IMHO theres a reason there is a huge number of Gas driven ones out in the market and a relatively small amount of Electric ones...
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
MrDeerHunter
Well-known member
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- Nov 19, 2017
- Messages
- 110
To answer your question you can buy a 220 motor and mount up a triplex pump to it. Mine took a trip to a machine shop to get it coupled. It is a 5hp electric motor.
Next just buy the cheapest inline fuel filter you can find and keep changing it out. Also try and find a plastic tank for it too. They solve a problems.
Sent from my moto z4 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Next just buy the cheapest inline fuel filter you can find and keep changing it out. Also try and find a plastic tank for it too. They solve a problems.
Sent from my moto z4 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Wyoming09
Well-known member
For many years now I've had a cheap McCulloch electric pressure washer and for what I need it does fine. 1600 lbs I think. I use it 3-4 times a years. Mostly to clean the pool cover when it comes off in the spring. Today I used it to blast loose paint off of a door and frame that needs to be repainted. For these types of light duty uses it does well. About every 4-5 years when I need to repaint the pool I rent a 4000 lb unit to blast the loose paint off. I can't see spending the money for something I need so infrequently.
I find all electric pressure washers to be in the same ballpark. Its the accessories that ****. Upgrade to a nicer hose, shorty gun, and quick disconnects, and you'll have a better experience.
I use a Kobrajet hose, MTM SGS28, and MTM quick disconnects.
Matt from Obsessed Garage is great source for this stuff.
I use a Kobrajet hose, MTM SGS28, and MTM quick disconnects.
Matt from Obsessed Garage is great source for this stuff.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
Karcher makes the best electric pressure washer that I know of.
Go to the Karcher website and use the promo code PULPMX for 15% off.
https://www.kaercher.com/us/home-garden/electric-pressure-washers.html
Go to the Karcher website and use the promo code PULPMX for 15% off.
https://www.kaercher.com/us/home-garden/electric-pressure-washers.html