Pressure Washers

[Bert_]

I'm trying to picture what that is/would look like - do you have a link or pic?

I don't have a picture. You just put a tee between the hose and the wand. On the side of the tee you put a ball valve. Open the valve and the water just runs on the ground. Since it doesn't go through the tip it has no pressure.

That's what all the guys do that wash hog barns. They have big pumps often driven off a diesel motor and 200'+ of hose. Not easy to just shut the pump off quick.

 

[Framing101]

Alkota pressure washers?

 

[PhantomEB]

Love my Honda powered BE pressure washer for everything I need it to do. So can’t wait to fire it up to do the house, garage and patio, PO sure got the cheap concrete paint…..

 

[Madjik Man]

I’m a home gamer. And will be buying an electric pressure washer soon.

My needs:

Car washing (mostly frame and chassis cleaning)

Concrete patio cleaning

Occasional house/siding/garage door cleaning

Possibly driveway if **** gets on it.

I’m going to buy the one from Costco. Not that I know anything about it but I appreciate their lifetime warranty/no questions asked.

 

[RimRider]

I was looking at reviews of various models and stumbled into this guys build:
Might work good for your Dewalt too.

I think it is also a good choice. It is like all in one unit

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you buy a good quality, name brand PW with a name brand pump (CAT, Annovi Reverberi - AR, etc) they can usually be rebuilt if the housing has NOT been cracked do to freezing.

 

[Wubicon]

I’m a home gamer. And will be buying an electric pressure washer soon.

My needs:

Car washing (mostly frame and chassis cleaning)

Concrete patio cleaning

Occasional house/siding/garage door cleaning

Possibly driveway if **** gets on it.

I’m going to buy the one from Costco. Not that I know anything about it but I appreciate their lifetime warranty/no questions asked.

I'm leaning towards the Greenworks PW at Costco. Price is easily within my budget, 3 year warranty and I've read a ton of great experiences with Greenworks customer service when there is a problem. Plus, Costco will take any return lol.

 

[thool]

I have an older Ridgid RD80701 that was the last model made prior to the auto-idle feature becoming standard. It has a Cat pump which is a good performer. As others have stated, keep the pump clean with pump saver, especially for longer storage periods and over the winter. After every use, I tip my PW forward and gently pull the recoil to allow the water to come out.

Electric is nice, but you need to consider proximity to power and invest in good quality extension cords.

 

[danski0224]

If you buy a good quality, name brand PW with a name brand pump (CAT, Annovi Reverberi - AR, etc) they can usually be rebuilt if the housing has NOT been cracked do to freezing.

Some of the box store pressure washers have unique pumps that are difficult, if not impossible, to get parts for. Even though the pump has a known name brand.

As far as rebuilding pumps in general goes, parts for my CAT pump are (were) quite expensive. It's even more expensive to pay someone else to fix it... and in the end even taking the pump off of the engine turned out to be quite the ordeal- sure as hell not anywhere near as easy as many of the videos I saw. If I paid for that, I'm sure it would have been cheaper to junk it and buy a new one. A new "standard" cold water pressure washer at ~4gpm and ~3500/4000 psi is not difficult to get or particularly expensive.

I am not sure if I could source all of the (correct) parts separately at retail and put it together for much less than buying a new one in a box. I had an absolute hell of a time sourcing the adjustment bracket that goes under the engine for a belt drive setup.

Other than the ordeal I had getting the pump off of the engine, I suspect it would be even money or cheaper to replace a pump than to get one "fixed". The ~3-4 GPM @ 3,000 - 4,000 psi range is pretty flooded with pump choices. I could have purchased a new direct drive CAT pump for mine for about $500, last I looked.

 

[danski0224]

keep the pump clean with pump saver, especially for longer storage periods

I use that stuff after each time I use the pressure washer before putting it away.

 

[mikedodge]

I've had a cheapish electric one for years and have used it for everything from washing cars to cleaning weather staining off of rock walls and walk ways. I have a gas one that never gets used.

 

[StealthNinja]

Well, since we're on the pressure washer subject, I figured I would chime in. I had been looking into getting an electric unit just for car and motorcycle washing. I have a gas unit with a Honda engine that has been in service for over 6 years. I take care of it properly and store it in the basement over the long VT winters. Knock wood that it keeps performing.
I did a ton of research on the electric pressure washers. I actually really liked the Dewalt DWPW2100 with all the features that it has. I started reading reviews. Holy smokes! Appears that there seems to be some kind of issue that hinders the longevity of these fine looking pressure washers. Many reviewers have gone through three units while under warranty and then finally give up on them. A common theme is they will be running and spraying fine. The unit shuts down and after a minute or so white smoke starts billowing out of the sides of the case. Then the pressure washer is essentially a $300 brick.
I started looking on Market Place and CL for used units. I was intrigued what might be causing this kind of issue. I actually found a Dewalt DWPW2100 on MP for $50. Motor ran but would not build pressure, the ad stated. I figured WTH, I'll grab it and tear it apart. Well it didn't take long to find the problem. Dewalt uses a cast aluminum axial cam inside the pump housing that a bearing and races run on. The upper race drives the valves open and closed that produce the high pressure. The cast axial cam was shattered into three pieces. Luckily this one stayed sandwiched by the lower race and held together. This allowed the electric motor to keep spinning so it did not burn up. I could definitely see how a catastrophic axial cam failure could cause a major jam up inside the pump housing causing the electric motor to seize and eventually cause a smoke show and burn out! What a shame. I am unable to locate the axial cam so I could just replace it, charge the pump with fresh non-detergent 30W, slap everything together and have a very nice functioning Dewalt pressure washer. I have seen a few pumps on the Bay for $100 or so. I am tempted but wonder how long before the same failure happens again. Like I said, it seems to be a recurring theme for failures. If nothing else, it has satisfied my curiousity about these Dewalt pressure washers and why I have seen so many for sale as "parts only". I will try to provide some pics of the axial cam, etc..

 

[StealthNinja]

Here is a followup to my post above pertaining to the Dewalt DWPW2100. I exhausted all avenues trying to find a replacement axial cam or even a part number for it. I contacted Dewalt customer service directly. They informed me that the pumps are not repairable. They have a listing for a replacement pump but said it was out of stock and appears to have been for over a year. They said that they probably will not be available in the future. Dewalt also said that there is no service center anywhere close to my location. So basically the pressure washer is scrap. Like I stated above, I located a couple pumps on the Bay but I wasn't ready to drop $100 bucks on it just to have the same issue happen. The Dewalt pump is just a universal pump. No part numbers anywhere on it. I figured that most electric home user units probably all use the same type universal pump so I decided to go down that road. I found a similar pump on the Bay for a Ryobi. The pics showed the axial cam intact and it looked identical to the broken Dewalt cam. I decided to take a chance. Price was $32.00 shipped to my house. The pump arrived at my house in a couple days. While the drive gear end of the pump housing was different than the Dewalt pump, the axial cam was an exact match. I cleaned everything up and installed the new axial cam, bearing and races. I found Cat Pumps high pressure pump oil at Home Depot. I charged the pump housing with approximately 85ML of oil. Assembled the pump, motor, case and frame. Finally had a decent day up here in VT last Monday. Gave the pressure washer a try and it works perfectly. Pressure washed the wife's vehicle to remove some of the salt and mud. It worked great. Now I can have her use this Dewalt pressure to wash her vehicle along with the foam cannon and stubby gun. The electric pressure washers are great for car washing. They shut down as soon as you release the trigger. The gas pressure washer had to be shut off anytime the wand wasn't being used. Nothing kills a gas pressure washer faster than letting it idle without water flowing through the wand. The pump overheats as it needs the water flowing through it to cool it. I will post pics of the Ryobi pump unit that I used to get the correct axial cam for the Dewalt. I now have a very nice Dewalt pressure washer that cost a total of $82.00. I will keep an eye out for any dead DWPW2100 pressure washers in the future and try to repair those as well.

 

[four.cycle]

I did not read any of the posts other than the O/P.

I ran an electric "Karcher", very similar to that Stanley unit in post #15. It belonged to my sister. I ran that thing for over 25 years - she had me over there washing down her deck and driveway all the time. Used it for several other projects. Just finally gave up the ghost a few years ago - stopped putting out any pressure.

I went up to ACE Hardware and paid $100 bucks for a "Blue Clean" AR-111S 120-volt unit. It's tiny. I've been running it for at least five years now. Works fabulously for cleaning lawnmowers and ladders and such. Enough pressure to blow the clear-coat off my Ranger. (lovely.)

I have a big-*** gas-powered Troy-Bilt in the garage that has a big B&S "Quantum" engine on it. My sister gave it to me a couple years ago, after she had it sitting in her garage for about ten years. I've never fired it up because I know for sure it's not going to start until I replace the carburetor after it's been sitting that long with gas in it. I have no need to do so because that little electric one does what I need it to do.
The gas powered models are great if you need to prep a commercial building for painting like I did about 15 years ago - took me four days to do three sides (we left the back as is.) Otherwise, they're really kind of overkill as far as I'm concerned, and they're annoying as hell for everyone living within 300 yards.

this is the outfit that made the one I'm using now: www.arblueclean.com

YMMV

 

[sabinoerc]

I'm certain this a beaten to death topic but I'm really struggling. Complete choice paralysis...

I'd like to get a pressure washer for cleaning the moldy/green tree pollen **** that collects on stuff around the house (garage siding, shed siding, front door cement pad etc.) and I'd like to use it for leaning the car as well.

From what I can tell electric power washers have come a long way and generate a ton of power, if desired. I *think* mid tier electric power washers would produce enough power for my needs. Down side seems to be they have a hesitation/pause after pressing the trigger. Annoying but I think I can live with it.

What I find concerning is longevity. Is gas worth just from a longevity POV, even if it's over powered for my use? The other thing that is less concerning but something I saw pointed out was gas pressure washers don't really like to run while not actively used. That's exactly what happens when washing a car with a mitt. The situation I do not want to find myself in is buying something for it only work a few times. I'd be much happier having something underpowered that lasts many years.

I've read a ton of reviews on various models. The problem with reviews is that for any good review, there is a bad review... Current front runner is a RYOBI 2500 PSI 1.1 GPM Cold Water Electric. Good reviews and has a 3 year warranty.

@Wubicon - I could not agree more. I am in exactly same boat, came to forum to look for advice and found your thread.
My needs are similar. Some small clean up of stuff around the house and maybe wash the car if I'm not too lazy.

Easy path is to get something from HF, Lowes, or HD.
What bugs the heck out of me is that neither Lowes or HD have anything unboxed so you can look at design, assess quality (ie. is something plastic or copper, etc. ). I haven't been to HF to look at pressure washers but typically you can at least see the item out of a box there.

Lowes only carriers Greenworks in the store here and that's a red flag for me. That means whoever Greenworks is cut some deal with Lowes to be exclusive and that typically means Lowes is getting a better margin on those units in exchange for the exclusivity - which means they are probably cheaper built as they still have to be ~ price comparable to brand names at HD. The reviews online for Greenworks at Lowes are, as you say, every other one bad. Obviously this doesn't mean every other unit is bad, just that there is a higher failure rate than typical/normal for stuff like this. People usually only write reviews if they are motivated by either a bad or really good experience. So - Greenworks is off my list.

At HD - I was also thinking about the Ryobi 2500 PSI model. Helping me feel better was a review by the NYT which ranked it highest. What hurts is going online and looking at the reviews - 4 out of 10 of the most recent reviews were complaining it failed immediately....

I'll look at HF and see about the equivalent model next.

 

[LOW1]

I have a stihl electric and like it very much

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Karcher gas power 2.5 gal/min or more: cleaning car, siding, decks, driveway, patio, walkway. Use common sense and good detergent as well. Bought new going on 20 years.

 

[Wubicon]

@Wubicon - I could not agree more. I am in exactly same boat, came to forum to look for advice and found your thread.
My needs are similar. Some small clean up of stuff around the house and maybe wash the car if I'm not too lazy.

Easy path is to get something from HF, Lowes, or HD.
What bugs the heck out of me is that neither Lowes or HD have anything unboxed so you can look at design, assess quality (ie. is something plastic or copper, etc. ). I haven't been to HF to look at pressure washers but typically you can at least see the item out of a box there.

Lowes only carriers Greenworks in the store here and that's a red flag for me. That means whoever Greenworks is cut some deal with Lowes to be exclusive and that typically means Lowes is getting a better margin on those units in exchange for the exclusivity - which means they are probably cheaper built as they still have to be ~ price comparable to brand names at HD. The reviews online for Greenworks at Lowes are, as you say, every other one bad. Obviously this doesn't mean every other unit is bad, just that there is a higher failure rate than typical/normal for stuff like this. People usually only write reviews if they are motivated by either a bad or really good experience. So - Greenworks is off my list.

At HD - I was also thinking about the Ryobi 2500 PSI model. Helping me feel better was a review by the NYT which ranked it highest. What hurts is going online and looking at the reviews - 4 out of 10 of the most recent reviews were complaining it failed immediately....

I'll look at HF and see about the equivalent model next.

I still haven't bought one. Stuck in choice paralysis. Greenworks is owned by Globe Tools Group, which appear to be a Chinese private equity firm.
Interestingly Greenworks is sold by Costco here in the Great White North. Usually if Costco sells it, it's a quality product. Usually...When I was there last time I saw a display model but I didn't take the time to look at it closely. Maybe next trip.

Karcher gas power 2.5 gal/min or more: cleaning car, siding, decks, driveway, patio, walkway. Use common sense and good detergent as well. Bought new going on 20 years.

I looked at a bunch of Karcher PWs too because I kept hearing such great things about them. I realized that all the great things I've been hearing about are from people who had them 10+ years. Reviews from the last few years have not been so kind.

 

[sabinoerc]

Karcher gas power 2.5 gal/min or more: cleaning car, siding, decks, driveway, patio, walkway. Use common sense and good detergent as well. Bought new going on 20 years.

Thanks - first thought I had was 20 years is a long time ago, I wonder who owns the Karcher brand and where are they manufacturing now?

That said, it appears they are still the same company and they manufacture different models in Germany, Italy, and China.

I looked at a bunch of Karcher PWs too because I kept hearing such great things about them. I realized that all the great things I've been hearing about are from people who had them 10+ years. Reviews from the last few years have not been so kind.

It seems Karcher, like most manuf companies, have moved some of the lower end stuff to China to be competitive. I haven't looked at reviews yet but will do so. Will be interesting to see if more bad reviews for lower end product or across the board. Sometimes the reviews are mixed across product lines so hard to tell.

regardless, Karcher models made in Germany or Italy are something I'm looking at now. My experience with car parts (old BMW) is as vendors move to lower cost geos the quality often gets worse. A brand name which was great becomes **** when they move manuf of a part from Germany to China. This isn't 100% of course, there are great parts/companies in China and some **** out of Europe. Just generally, the companies competing for lowest cost point are in China now and lowest cost is usually obtained by throwing out some quality.

 

[sabinoerc]

So, it appears that Karcher K4 and K5 series have water cooled brushless motors and washers are made in Italy or somewhere in Europe. The lower end models have "standard" motors and are made in China with some controller parts made in Germany apparently. It's a bit fuzzy. I tried to look at reviews by model and they are still a bit mixed, though not as bad as Greenworks at Lowes.

I decided if criteria was to buy something with glowing reviews the result was a null set.
It came down to buying something cheap with expectation that it would likely fail before I think it should, probably good enough for what I will actually do around the house, being frustrated with it overall and with a low probability upside of being pleasantly surprised.
or
Buying something more expensive, a better "design", better performance expecting it to last, hopefully happy with it but being really pissed off if it does fail sooner than expected.

I choose the later, I'm tired of buying junk everywhere and will try to buy better quality - we'll see.
I bought the K 5 Power Control Car & Home - Karcher has a Memorial Day sale on it for $299. I bought it directly from the Karcher US site, not Amazon. I didn't see this one on Amazon. Karcher has free shipping via UPS.
We'll see - hopefully in years, not months.

Good luck @Wubicon on whatever you do.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I still haven't bought one. Stuck in choice paralysis. Greenworks is owned by Globe Tools Group, which appear to be a Chinese private equity firm.
Interestingly Greenworks is sold by Costco here in the Great White North. Usually if Costco sells it, it's a quality product. Usually...When I was there last time I saw a display model but I didn't take the time to look at it closely. Maybe next trip.

I looked at a bunch of Karcher PWs too because I kept hearing such great things about them. I realized that all the great things I've been hearing about are from people who had them 10+ years. Reviews from the last few years have not been so kind.

As you already know Buy the pro models better parts used. Some people buy the cheapest home user models and may not last as long. Like all tools keep up the maintenance, good reasons to buy tools .