Pressure Washer Repair

[MtnViewRanch]

I had gotten tired of fighting with my pressure washer trying to get it to work. You know if you have had a similar problem, pull the trigger to start washing and only water comes out, not with any pressure. You let off the trigger, pull again and sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. It gets worse and worse until it just never sprays with any pressure anymore.

So I call the local pressure washer repair shop and ask them about my problem. They ask what type and I tell them that it is a Karcher that I had bought at Costco. They tell me that those are disposable washers and that I will need a new pump for about $400. I say "that is more than what I paid for the whole thing". Their response was "that is what it is for a good pump that you can service". Okay, more than I want to spend, so I call the closest Karcher service center, tell them the same story, their response is that those pumps were no good and that they could put an upgraded pump on for $240. Still more than I want to pay, so I go to a Karcher website and find the same pump shipped to my door step for $140, okay, this is better but still more than what I want to pay.

As a last resort I call Karcher themselves from a number that was on the website. Ask for service and tell him my problem and what the other guys solutions were. He laughed and said that those guys just wanted to sell a pump. He told me to remove the unloader valve, told me where it was, told me how to remove it, there is a trick to get it out, and to grease the valve with siliconized grease, re-assemble and I would be good to go for a few more years.

Well, I did just that today and it works like new. So for a few bucks and about 15 minutes of my time my washer is now repaired. What makes me mad about this deal is that the repair shops did not want to repair or service my pump, but replace it when it simply needed to be greased. Well they tried to get the whole enchilada and ended up with nothing. That's what greed does for ya.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Persistence paid off! Good story.
Bob

 

[jinman]

Brian, when I first started reading your post, I thought about the unloader valve. Then, as I continued on, the multiple responses you got had me thinking maybe the pump was shot. Finally, you confirmed what I had thought at first. Isn't it amazing how many people are running a pseudo-legit business that's really a boondoggle? I'm really glad you got your pressure washer fixed.

Several years ago, I bought a commercial pressure washer that had been allowed to sit out and freeze. After fixing all the leaks, I had to reapair the boiler, fuel tank, pump, and most everything else. I spent almost 6 months rebuilding the thing. I completely disassembled the unloading valve and it went from stuck to working just like yours. Mine still works today. It'a s pain because it's so big and mounted on a trailer, but it has enough pressure to do any job I need. The boiler works perfectly. Oh! I only paid $300 for the rig in the beginning. It had a good 16 hp Onan engine and a 2000 watt generator, so even if the pressure washer had been bad, it would have been worth $300. We have a local company that stocks all parts and that was a big benefit.

 

[CarlC]

Brian,
Could you post the instructons. I've got a Karcher and the info might come in handy.
Thanks
Carl

 

[MtnViewRanch]

CarlC, I have a 2400 psi washer and these directions are for this model. I have no idea if they apply to any other model. This all takes place at the end of the pump buy the brass end, but still on the aluminum housing.

1st, pry off the stainless cap (about 5/8"dia) that keeps the black plastic cap on (about 1 1/2"dia, sort of flimsy)

2nd, remove flimsy black cap and 2 black torx screws

3rd, remove plastic piece that screws held on and spring below the plastic piece

4th, hook-up water and start pressure washer, unloader valve piston pops out, turn off pressure washer engine & water.

5th, take valve piston and grease o rings and spring with siliconized grease, I don't know if you can put to much grease on it

6th re-assemble

I hope that this helps if you need to do this, it worked for me.

 

[CarlC]

Thanks Brian

My Karcher is 2400psi also. I saved the info in my will need folder

 

[westbrooklawn]

I had the same problem with the Karcher I bought at Costco... wish I had known the fix was so simple. I ended up returning it to Costco for a "no questions asked" credit, which I turned around and used to buy another new one from Costco.

I didn't have the original receipt, and I had the washer for well over a year, but Costco return policy is fantastic. That's why I keep going back!

 

[Doc_Bob]

Thanks Brian

My Karcher is 2400psi also. I saved the info in my will need folder

Same here!
Bob

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Go to Sears or some other places, they sell a small can with a tube and garden hose connector. It is a pump saver/lubricant that keeps things lubed and inhibits corrosion. Whenever I get done with a preasure washer will unhook all hoses and fire it up for a second to push water out and maybe add some WD-40 or antifreeze to keep from rusting and freezing.

David

 

[CATMAN]

Good subject, I just got back from my Dad's farm for harvest last month and the pressure washer us kids had purchased for him wouldn't work.(no water out the tip=nothing) Only one year old. Northern Hydraulics Honda 13 hp gas w/ CAT pump. There are 6 one-way check-valves on this pump(3 before the pistons; 3 after the pistons). I found the 3 "after the pistons" stuck shut with the smallest amount of rust, but they look like stainless steel circular disc. After removal, I had to push pretty darn hard to free those discs from their seat area. It works now, But I was wondering about a lube and/or preventive measure that we could do before it goes to the basement this winter. Your ideas or that Sears lube may be just what we need. Thanks

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Westbrooklawn, I never even thought to return it. If I had I would now have a 2650 psi washer that Costco now sells. Hmmm, maybe I will return mine anyway and get a new and better one.

Thanks for the idea.

 

[_RaT_]

Good subject, I just got back from my Dad's farm for harvest last month and the pressure washer us kids had purchased for him wouldn't work.(no water out the tip=nothing) Only one year old. Northern Hydraulics Honda 13 hp gas w/ CAT pump. There are 6 one-way check-valves on this pump(3 before the pistons; 3 after the pistons). I found the 3 "after the pistons" stuck shut with the smallest amount of rust, but they look like stainless steel circular disc. After removal, I had to push pretty darn hard to free those discs from their seat area. It works now, But I was wondering about a lube and/or preventive measure that we could do before it goes to the basement this winter. Your ideas or that Sears lube may be just what we need. Thanks

I've had two of the very pumps you describe. They are quite franckly, crap. I will not own another CAT pump. Between new seals ($145) for the set on all 3 pistons, new valves and head, I give up. The pump probably works fine on pure virgin non mineral, ultra pure water with inhibitor, but thats not my setup, I'm back to General Pumps and love them. I can't comment on the little pumps here as the volume would be much to low to address my needs. Suffice it to say, I have yet to have an unloader go bad, but then, my unloader costs about the same as the whole Karcher unit.

 

[tracecom]

I've had two of the very pumps you describe. They are quite franckly, crap. I will not own another CAT pump. Between new seals ($145) for the set on all 3 pistons, new valves and head, I give up. The pump probably works fine on pure virgin non mineral, ultra pure water with inhibitor, but thats not my setup, I'm back to General Pumps and love them. I can't comment on the little pumps here as the volume would be much to low to address my needs. Suffice it to say, I have yet to have an unloader go bad, but then, my unloader costs about the same as the whole Karcher unit.

Like most manufacturers, CAT makes various quality pumps. Their top of the line pumps are the best in the business, preferred overwhelmingly by professional pw operators in Florida where they use their units all day, every day. General makes some good pumps, as does AR, but they all make some low price pumps for homeowner use, which averages only about 10 hours per year.

 

[RonR]

I just finished a similar saga with a cambell hausfield 1300psi power washer. It would work, but once you released the trigger, the unloader valve would shut it off, then it would take 20 minutes with the trigger squeezed before it would start up again. What a PITA!

Mine is 6 yrs old, and we have hard water, so I figured it was toast. I had a lot of trouble getting into the case, and the unloader valve was clear at the bottom--not accessible without complete disassembly.

And of course, while removing the microswitch, the plastic tangs on the plunger broke off, rending it useless as is.

I got the plunger out, and discovered that on mine, if I remove the pressure hose, it will allow access to the front of the plunger, so it could be pushed out that way.

To use the PW over the weekend, I reassembled the unit with the unloader valve installed, but not hooked up. I zip lined the trigger open. Worked fine.

I chased the parts places and found a local electrical house that can get parts, so I have a $30 new unloader kit coming.

To facilitate re-installation, I took my drill and 2" holesaw and made an access hole in the case so I can change out the valve without the total disassembly when it comes in.

Hope this helps.
ron

 

[_RaT_]

Like most manufacturers, CAT makes various quality pumps. Their top of the line pumps are the best in the business, preferred overwhelmingly by professional pw operators in Florida where they use their units all day, every day. General makes some good pumps, as does AR, but they all make some low price pumps for homeowner use, which averages only about 10 hours per year.

I realize there are different quality of pumps within the same brand, the CAT pumps I had were both their high quality designs for the pressure/volume I needed. Both have been replaced by what I consider a far superior head design over the CAT design. The componets for General are also considerably cheaper. It would appear that water that is slightly acidic is very detrimental to CAT where it has virtually no effect on General.

 

[CATMAN]

Thanks RaT for your experiences. I was the one who decided on this model for my Dad. I figured to spend a little more and hopefully get more reliability out of the purchase.(On sale @$999 plus shipping) Well, I will just have to hope it doesn't cause too much trouble. This is on a Iowa farm with well water going into it, but it really is overkill for the amount of use he will put on it. I did turn down the pressure from 4000 to 2800 psi with a medium fan spray nozzle in the wand. It runs at about 2000 psi with the large angle fan nozzle(40 degree, I think). That works well for cleaning tractors and getting the mud off the wagons this year(wet harvest this year). Next summer, he plans to knock the loose paint of the garage and repaint.

 

[CATMAN]

RaT, I just noticed that you're in California. Mechanics we have hired that came form the LA area, really said that water down there did a number on the Caterpillar engines and their cooling systems that we work on. Eats thru aluminum, then those particles contaminate the radiator and plug it and cause overheating problems. I grew up on Iowa water, so it must be better. Ha Ha . Thanks again for your input.

 

[jinman]

I'm back to General Pumps and love them.

If my pump ever quits again, I'll go to a General pump. I think everyone I've talked to says that Generals are good pumps and their complete rebuild kit is just over $50. That's the 5.5 gpm model.

 

[_RaT_]

If my pump ever quits again, I'll go to a General pump. I think everyone I've talked to says that Generals are good pumps and their complete rebuild kit is just over $50. That's the 5.5 gpm model.

Oooh, the 5.5 GPM, you know how to buy a pump. I wish mine had that much flow.