Jetwasher broken

Merlin5 · 16 Jul 2018 at 17:22

I've got a Karcher K2 basic which was a birthday present given to me a couple of years ago and I only opened the box and started using it a few weeks ago. Only used it twice. First time it was used for about 3 or 4 hours cleaning up the patio and second time a couple of weeks ago for washing the car.

Today I was about to jetwash a wall. Pressure was fine for a few seconds and then it would go weaker. I noticed the first few feet of my hose flattened out when this happened. When I switched it off the hose would inflate again. I thought it was kinks in the hose so I straightened them as best as I could. Soon after the motor wouldn't turn on at all.

I called Karcher who said it's likely to be an air block and told me to disconnect the high pressure cable, connect the hose to the machine inlet and turn the tap on, let water run through the machine and out the high pressure outlet for a few minutes. Then plug it in and it turn the motor on and it should work. I've bled it a few times but it's dead. Changed the fuse as well. How poor is that for a new machine. I think I'm out of the 24 month warranty and it would doubtless cost more to get repaired than buying a new one.

I don't know how else to fix it. Any suggestions? I can unscrew it and take it apart but I don't know what I'm looking for. I've tried thumping it to see if it would come on but it doesn't. Not sure if it's the motor or a dodgy switch.

Haze · 16 Jul 2018 at 18:23

Should have brought a Nilfisk.....

Lesson learnt

now go and buy a Nilfisk lol

robj20 · 16 Jul 2018 at 18:28

Haze said:
Should have brought a Nilfisk.....

Lesson learnt now go and buy a Nilfisk lol

This for the money they are so much better. Next step up is a Kranzle.

jpaul · 16 Jul 2018 at 18:39

In a karcher k4 I had a valve in the nozzle go, motor was still working though ..
i had downloaded exploded parts diagram ... maybe there is an internal fuse for motor.
(no help now .. but i do always bleed before running pump)

Karcher Center Chemtec [email protected] Item Number 160657833712 £1.80 GBP 1 £1.80 GBP

edit http://www.ultimatewasher.com/karcher-breakdown-diagrams.htm

Merlin5 · 16 Jul 2018 at 22:38

Ah yeah, I heard Nilfisk is very good. And what about this McGregor, any good? http://www.argos.co.uk/product/7605862

jpaul said:
In a karcher k4 I had a valve in the nozzle go, motor was still working though ..
i had downloaded exploded parts diagram ... maybe there is an internal fuse for motor.
(no help now .. but i do always bleed before running pump)

Karcher Center Chemtec [email protected] Item Number 160657833712 £1.80 GBP 1 £1.80 GBP

edit http://www.ultimatewasher.com/karcher-breakdown-diagrams.htm

Thanks for the link. I can't find my model on it though. Can you tell from this plate which one it is? All I know is that it's the K2 Basic and the 1.673-158.0 is presumably the part number, but it's not in the left column of your link.

Haze · 17 Jul 2018 at 06:31

Merlin5 said:
Ah yeah, I heard Nilfisk is very good. And what about this McGregor, any good? http://www.argos.co.uk/product/7605862

Thanks for the link. I can't find my model on it though. Can you tell from this plate which one it is? All I know is that it's the K2 Basic and the 1.673-158.0 is presumably the part number, but it's not in the left column of your link.

What part of buy Nilfisk are you struggling with?

Merlin5 · 17 Jul 2018 at 11:32

Haze said:
What part of buy Nilfisk are you struggling with?

What part of how do I fix the jetwasher that was given to me as a birthday present and save myself money are you struggling with?

jpaul · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:05

per these comments maybe start capacitor or switch ... any humming ?
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/karcher-motor-start-problem.181682/
https://www.ransomspares.co.uk/part...md eu (1.400-400.0)/capacitor-12uf/513445.htm

CaptainRAVE · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:10

Haze said:
Should have brought a Nilfisk.....

Lesson learnt now go and buy a Nilfisk lol

This.

Merlin5 · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:15

jpaul said:
per these comments maybe start capacitor or switch ... any humming ?
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/karcher-motor-start-problem.181682/
https://www.ransomspares.co.uk/parts/brands/karcher/pressure-washer-spares/k2.94 md eu (1.400-400.0)/capacitor-12uf/513445.htm

Thanks jpaul. I watched this video yesterday and his diagnosis was the capacitor.
https://youtu.be/afPHu9LrRbQ

But there's no sound at all from mine, no humming, buzzing, nothing at all. So perhaps the problem with mine is something else, such as the switch. I've never used a multimeter but perhaps it's a good idea if I bought one,, removed the guts and tested it out.

Haze · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:16

Merlin5 said:
What part of how do I fix the jetwasher that was given to me as a birthday present and save myself money are you struggling with?

Wasting your time, but feel free to learn the hard way

Merlin5 · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:24

Haze said:
Wasting your time, but feel free to learn the hard way

Well probably.

But I'm about to buy a new fridge freezer so wanted to avoid buying another jetwasher as well. What's the cheapest Nilfisk model you'd recommend though and are you saying it's unlikely I'd have a similar issue with a Nilfisk, at least, without heavy usage?

I got an email from Karcher customer service today apologising for my machine not working but that there's nothing they can do for free as I'm out of warranty. I wrote back saying thanks but after using only 3 times I can't trust Karcher reliability and that I'll be buying a Nilfisk product.

Haze · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:28

The metal prop is generally the thing that makes the Nilfisk better, I should imagine the plastic prop in yours is what had caused it die, can not remember what model mine is, will have a look when I get home

Armageus · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:31

Nilfisk C110 is absolutely fine https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-Pressure-Washer-Patio-Cleaner/dp/B01MTZWJWA
You likely also want the "Auto" nozzle as well https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-Nozzle-compatible-Pressure-Washers/dp/B0001P0BR6

I've had my C110 for 2 1/2 years and has been fine, even during winter (where my snow foam almost froze!).

Merlin5 · 17 Jul 2018 at 12:52

Haze said:
The metal prop is generally the thing that makes the Nilfisk better, I should imagine the plastic prop in yours is what had caused it die, can not remember what model mine is, will have a look when I get home

Ah ok, thanks.

Armageus said:
Nilfisk C110 is absolutely fine https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-Pressure-Washer-Patio-Cleaner/dp/B01MTZWJWA
You likely also want the "Auto" nozzle as well https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-Nozzle-compatible-Pressure-Washers/dp/B0001P0BR6

I've had my C110 for 2 1/2 years and has been fine, even during winter (where my snow foam almost froze!).

Do I need the auto nozzle or would the C110 work effectively without it?

Armageus · 17 Jul 2018 at 13:00

It comes with 2 different nozzles - the Tornado nozzle *should* be ok to use, but the Auto nozzle is better suited as is slightly lower pressure, and has a wider fan 80degree (vs 20degree of the standard).

- Click and Clean Tornado Nozzle (variable power nozzle) – fan jet for general cleaning and rinsing
- Click and Clean Powerspeed Nozzle – for cleaning stubborn stains and dirt

Tomsk · 26 Jul 2018 at 20:54

Just hit the buy button on a Nilfisk C110 at Amaozn. £65 deal of the day.

(I seem to have 'lost' my Halfords POS in my garage somewhere)

GravyMonster · 27 Jul 2018 at 10:12

My Karcher K2 has already died once. It was in warranty though, so Karcher replaced it FOC. TBH I'm waiting for it to die again so I have an excuse to buy a Nilfisk

robj20 · 27 Jul 2018 at 10:37

Nilfisk just make decent quality jetwashes with no frills.
Karcher well they put things like LCD screens on them, that alone tells you everything you need to know.

Psycho Sonny · 31 Jul 2018 at 17:39

I believe karcher build quality on the cheap models is really bad. You really need to spend a large amount to get one which will last.

I have a nilfilsk myself and never had any issues. I got it in a deal off amazon for cheap. Probably similar to the guy above