Gas pressure washer.
- Thread starter David9726
- Start date
You probably won’t be disappointed with a Honda motor.
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for the amount of money you're looking to spend you're going to be settling for a machine with a budget pump. i don't think the honda's have a small hp engine with elec start. you could get a good electric p/w for a little bit more than what you mentioned.
components matter
components matter
Road Wrench
Well-known member
Honda GX series engines are pretty much the gold standard for the engine. You also need a quality pump behind it. I've had good experience with General brand pumps, though I also hear a lot of praise for CAT pumps. Northern tool sells quite a few that are Honda/General Honda/Cat combos. Mi-T-M makes some real nice units too if you prefer belt drive vs direct. I think the General TT series pumps is what I've used the most.
My vote goes to a Yamaha. CAT pump, they have a 4000psi, 4GPM model, and a 3000psi 2.8GPM model. Engine is easily as reliable, if not more than a Honda. Fit and finish on everything is top notch, great quality accessories too. IMO for the price nothing comes close.
Iluvbeer
Well-known member
Udor pumps are about the best pumps money can buy when talking pressure washers. Cat makes an ok pump too, as does General (GP). I’ve got Honda engines and GP pumps on all of my pressure washers, even on the $10k ones.
If you want to buy a PW that will last, make sure it’s either belt or gear driven, don’t do a direct drive model. They don’t hold up any amount of time. And I prefer belt over gear driven after seeing numerous gear drives frozen to the engine crank shaft from leaky pumps.
I seriously doubt you’ll buy much quality for $400 though. A 4gpm electric start quality machine will start at around $1500.
I own and operate a pressure washing company so i play around with a lot of PW systems.
If you want to buy a PW that will last, make sure it’s either belt or gear driven, don’t do a direct drive model. They don’t hold up any amount of time. And I prefer belt over gear driven after seeing numerous gear drives frozen to the engine crank shaft from leaky pumps.
I seriously doubt you’ll buy much quality for $400 though. A 4gpm electric start quality machine will start at around $1500.
I own and operate a pressure washing company so i play around with a lot of PW systems.
Iluvbeer
Well-known member
Two of the best suppliers in the industry.
https://pressuretek.com/
https://www.pressurewasherky.us/
https://pressuretek.com/
https://www.pressurewasherky.us/
jasonphelps
Well-known member
PowerStroke with Subaru engine
junkyardwarrior
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- Joined
- Nov 17, 2014
- Messages
- 174
I've had 4 of the home depot Honda powered jobs over the last few years. Gave up on them. Engines are hard to start (choke use required every time), noisier than I'd expect out of a Honda, fuel tank is small, GPM is lower than I'd expect given the pressure, cheap pump, lots of little things that I don't like.
Last year I bought a Yamaha from the local Yamaha dealer. PW3028. They also have a PW4040, the prior is 3000 psi, the latter is 4000. Couldn't justify the extra 1000 psi and 10gpm for what I need it for. Thing is real powerful. Love the spray head. Need lower pressure and high GPM? Turn the head-it's adjustable so you don't have to interchange tips. Also it rotates and you can change the angle which is awesome for me since my back hurts most of the time and I find it hard to get down on my knees to wash under the truck. Only thing I don't like is that it don't have electric start. But the rest of it has been a trooper. We have one at work too and use it almost 4.5 hours a day, 5 days a week, and have been using it that way since Yamaha introduced them in I think 2012 or 13. Only thing it's ever needed is a recoil starter rope and oil changes (pump and engine). Great washer for the money-just doesn't have electric start.
I prefer a belt drive, yes. They're expensive though. I have a few parts laying around and may build one. Ain't too hard. I have a 24 hp Daihatsu diesel that would be a good candidate, plenty of metal for framework, welder, etc. May be another project.
Last year I bought a Yamaha from the local Yamaha dealer. PW3028. They also have a PW4040, the prior is 3000 psi, the latter is 4000. Couldn't justify the extra 1000 psi and 10gpm for what I need it for. Thing is real powerful. Love the spray head. Need lower pressure and high GPM? Turn the head-it's adjustable so you don't have to interchange tips. Also it rotates and you can change the angle which is awesome for me since my back hurts most of the time and I find it hard to get down on my knees to wash under the truck. Only thing I don't like is that it don't have electric start. But the rest of it has been a trooper. We have one at work too and use it almost 4.5 hours a day, 5 days a week, and have been using it that way since Yamaha introduced them in I think 2012 or 13. Only thing it's ever needed is a recoil starter rope and oil changes (pump and engine). Great washer for the money-just doesn't have electric start.
I prefer a belt drive, yes. They're expensive though. I have a few parts laying around and may build one. Ain't too hard. I have a 24 hp Daihatsu diesel that would be a good candidate, plenty of metal for framework, welder, etc. May be another project.
I have a troy built with a briggs and stratton and the damn thing never wants to start without putting some starting fluid in the carb even then it takes 10 pulls by then my back is killing me.
How much did you pay for the PW3028? No electric start...
How much did you pay for the PW3028? No electric start...
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I love electric start but my experience with Honda is pretty much 2 pulls maximum to start.
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MarlynOC
Well-known member
ARC in Easton PA Tom or Barb.
Do you have a gas line shutoff in between the carb and the tank? I cutoff the fuel when I'm finished and let the PW run until the carb is out of fuel on my pressure washer. It fires up on the 1st or 2nd pull every time.. I've had it for about 10 years (K'archer 2800GPM with 5.5HP honda motor).
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Those Honda GC motors are pretty good. I have a bunch of both the GC and GX motors for powering things like pumps and pressure washers. The GX last longer, but the GC's start easier, and have more power to weight and are quieter with less vibration.
The biggest thing with the cheap GC powered pressure washers is the pump isn't that good. Most of them don't even have a way to change the oil, so they are made for fairly short life.
However those cheap pumps work fine if you don't let them sit and run under pressure without pulling the trigger and overheat, and if you don't let water freeze in them.
The biggest thing with the cheap GC powered pressure washers is the pump isn't that good. Most of them don't even have a way to change the oil, so they are made for fairly short life.
However those cheap pumps work fine if you don't let them sit and run under pressure without pulling the trigger and overheat, and if you don't let water freeze in them.
GarageGuy89
Well-known member
If you want something new this is the ONE. These are in the 200-300$ range. With a $400 budget you are in the 'budget home owner' realm, and they are all pretty much the same.
Think i seen PowerStroke with Subaru engine one at costco, i'm willing to spend more by the time you buy a cheap one and replace the cheap hose it comes with it's over 500 easy.
You will probably have to change the head gasket on it though
Ya the Honda GX/GXV 5/5.5hp motors are VERY easy to start and if everything is right will start in 1 pull, well often a 1/4-1/2 a pull. Elec start is great but also adds extra parts/complication which I wouldn't want given how easy they are to start. I've used a ratchet adapter, socket, 3" extension & a drill to 'electric start' them before when I had a replacement pull started on order.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Pretty much true on ANY small engine these day !
I always run the carburetor dry on my B&S 5000W/10 HP generator. After sitting months, I turn the fuel on, ignition off and give it one slow pull all the way through. Turn the ignition on and it always starts with 1/2 slow pull.
sinister94
Active member
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- May 11, 2017
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- 32
That's the exact one I just bought a few months ago.
Home Depot had an open box one for $449, and I applied for the home Depot credit card and got another $50 off. For $399 I feel like it was a pretty good deal. Lots of power but I still need a longer hose. 25ft doesn't cut it.
That's a good deal my local home depot only have two in stock no one buys them in the winter time but we still get 60F days once in awhile.
I never expect much of the hose they come with i'm looking for a good one.
This guy knows. ^^^^ Yamaha is replacing Honda in terms of quality and price, slowly.... but the guys who have had both know.
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I bought on of these at Costco. You have to unplug the starter from the battery to charge it. It doesn't charge while running. Barely would start with a fully charged battery. You might get two starts out of a fully charged battery. I returned it and got my money back.
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I was at costco one day and seen a guy returning his months ago when they still sold them.