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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

Merlin5 · 25 Oct 2018 at 13:02

Bit late in the year now but I finally ordered a Nilfisk C110.

Being delivered tomorrow by Amazon Prime (must remember to cancel that trial soon before they start charging me) and it's reduced to £53.54!

Merlin5 · 27 Oct 2018 at 11:19

Haze said:
Congrats you finally caved in and did what i said in the 1st place lol

Lol I know. After doing what I could to get the Karcher going, I finally took it to the tip and bought the Nilfisk.

The Craig said:
If you're jet washing a wall are you not going to blow out the mortar? I've got the nilfisk one and it's pretty good. The patio cleaner for it is crap tho.

I jetwashed my wall a while ago with a Karcher and the mortar held up fine. Yeah, I'm glad I didn't go for the one with the patio cleaner, it would have been £89 instead of £54.

Merlin5 · 5 Oct 2019 at 02:56

Got a problem with my Nilfisk C110. It was all working properly when I used it on my car in the summer. Today though, when I pressed the trigger on the gun, water was coming out normally due to the hose being connected and the watermains tap turned on full, but it would take 2 to 3 seconds before the motor activated and gave pressure to the water. It kept going with full pressure as long as I kept the trigger held in but once I stopped and pressed again, it would take another 2 or 3 seconds for the motor to activate. Several minutes of pressure washing later and the delay got much longer. Any idea why this is?

As a test, I disconnected the gun from the nilfisk black hose but kept the black hose connected, turned the machine on and got instant pressured water from the hose. So it seems fine without the gun. It's when the gun is connected and the motor is activated from the trigger that there's a delay. So I don't know if there's a problem inside the machine, or if it's the nilfisk hose, or the gun.

I got all the pressure washing done fortunately. My inlet garden hose is fine, I replaced it in the summer because the previous hose was getting sucked flat. So I don't believe that is causing any issues.

Merlin5 · 6 Oct 2019 at 04:44

Sin_Chase said:
Merlin - Throw Nilfisk a contact from their website. I found them very helpful and quite prompt in their reply.

https://www.nilfisk.com/en-gb/pages/global-contacts.aspx

Thanks Sin. I also found a Nilfisk phone number so will probably call them first.

Merlin5 · 7 Oct 2019 at 17:29

Awesome, gonna get sent a replacement this week under warranty. You're right Sin Chase, great customer service.

I phoned Nilfisk and the bloke I spoke to said it's the 'unloader valve' sticking. He said this can happen if it's not used much but that it shouldn't happen again with the replacement machine because they've now modified the valve. He said I can dispose of the one I have.

If anyone here near London wants a free pressure washer, send me a trust and you can come and pick it up. It works and has been used on only two occasions, but just has this delay issue.

Merlin5 · 7 Oct 2019 at 18:27

Yeah Muska, definitely call them.

Efficient customer service and warranty honouring, but have to say, everyone on here said Nilfisk is more reliable then Karcher.