Pressure washer recommendations

On the Ava models that blow fuses, apparently a workaround is to press the trigger in and hold it when you switch the machine on.

I'm also looking at pressure washers and the Direct Hoses OR11 has good specs for the money, 660ltrs per hour and 2,100 PSI / 145 bar pressure.

You can get the car and home pack (comes with different nozzles, a surface cleaner, foam lance and drain unblocked) for £335. They're easily serviceable too, but I have to admit, I've read some unsavoury ratings online about after service.

Today I sent an email asking if the pump is fully metal, they specifically state on the Grey 7 and Grey 10 product pages that the pumps are fully metal but not on the OR11. I've not received a reply which I don't think is a great start considering it's a relatively straightforward question. I understand it might be a small setup and could be busy prepping orders received over the Christmas break - but still...
 
I've used a Nilfisk C140 for the past 5 years and it's been completely adequate for washing the car/patio and other misc. jobs around the house.

It sounds like your budget would accommodate something higher-end, but I've been happy with my purchase.
 
ristac said:
My Karcher is around 10 years old, still going strong, lots of attachments that I don’t really use
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I think this is the key bit. I would rather spend more on the machine than a bunch of attachments that I probably won't ever need.

As Nilfisk have been recommended a lot. They've got a P200 at B&Q for 599, I have a 15% voucher code taking it down to 509.

With a budget of 400, the extra inlay to put an extra £100 towards that + going through a top cashback site, with many years of use, I suspect that is more than enough for me.

Thanks all.
 
Nilfisk also. I have an E160 with the proper 10m superflex hose which is miles better than the plastic ones that come on the C series. I had a C before and it was a fine machine but the hose eventually failed so I upgraded to E series from their own refurb store with additional warranty. Think it was £200. Some good deals pop up too. You have to be quick though.

Cleanstore :: Home & Garden Products

CleanStore provides quality cleaning products for delivery across the UK.
www.nilfiskoutlet.co.uk www.nilfiskoutlet.co.uk
 
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keef247 said:
Definitely NOT a Karcher! they ALL crack or break on the same rubbish plastic section that come out the body, then you have a fire hydrant coming out the front, this has happened on 3 of ours and to everyone I know lol. 3rd time definitely was not lucky :cry:
They blatantly do this to make you replace them, the part could easily be metal with O rings...
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I think from the K4 upwards they are metal, I has the same problem on a K3 (its usually caused by water freezing in them over the winter if you don't drain them) my K4 has been faultless
 
dholdi said:
Karcher here too, my first which is over 20 years old my son uses, I have a K7 Compact which is over 7 years old now.
I think the myth of everyone cracking is may be down to them being left in a cold garage / shed and consequently getting frost damage.
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But where else do you store your power washer?
While I'm here, does anyone have any good recommendations for Karcher attachments for cleaning cars?
Are the likes of these: https://www.kaercher.com/uk/accessory/wb-150-power-brush-26432370.html any good?
 
Rotty said:
I think from the K4 upwards they are metal, I has the same problem on a K3 (its usually caused by water freezing in them over the winter if you don't drain them) my K4 has been faultless
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You know the bit I mean then.

It stinks of "we'll make this out of cheap thin plastic so they have to keep replacing the entire unit £££!!!"

3 of my mates had the exact same problem snapping in the same place, both have had multiple units do the same thing.
Ours all snapped in the summer, I would never use a pressure washer in the winter, it'd freeze the drive and make it lethal haha!
 
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keef247 said:
Definitely NOT a Karcher! they ALL crack or break on the same rubbish plastic section that come out the body, then you have a fire hydrant coming out the front, this has happened on 3 of ours and to everyone I know lol.
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Similarly my last Karcher cracked within the threads of the output connection (that goes to the hose/lance) and would pee water everywhere. Used PTFE tape, tightened the hose up with a pair of mole grips and the force of Thanos, never took the hose off and it lasted another 18 months or so before the pump eventually failed. It was around 12/13 years old, so it lasted well to be fair.

Mekrel said:
On the Ava models that blow fuses, apparently a workaround is to press the trigger in and hold it when you switch the machine on.
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Yup, it seems the common issue is blowing fuses on startup. Although mine blew whilst using the machine and seemed to have blown whilst pulling the trigger in quick succession - haven't done that since and it seems perfectly fine so who knows.

I have seen some AVA users recommend slow blow fuses but whilst it's probably perfectly safe, it still seems a little bit bodgy to me.
 
Ive owned three Nilfisk pressure washers and everyone of them leaked and failed. I have had a K4 Karcher for a few years and its still going strong. I will need to replace the hose but all is working as it should.
 
I constantly head nothing but bad about the karchers and constantly cracking/breaking from friends that use them a fair bit.

I have a titan from Screwfix. I can't remember which model it is, but I believe it was the second most expensive one, and I think it takes multiple brand attachments
 
keef247 said:
You know the bit I mean then.

It stinks of "we'll make this out of cheap thin plastic so they have to keep replacing the entire unit £££!!!"

3 of my mates had the exact same problem snapping in the same place, both have had multiple units do the same thing.
Ours all snapped in the summer, I would never use a pressure washer in the winter, it'd freeze the drive and make it lethal haha!
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yes, I had mine split, apparently they are metal on the K4 upwards

This was told to me by Karcher service centre
 
visibleman said:
Similarly my last Karcher cracked within the threads of the output connection (that goes to the hose/lance) and would pee water everywhere. Used PTFE tape, tightened the hose up with a pair of mole grips and the force of Thanos, never took the hose off and it lasted another 18 months or so before the pump eventually failed. It was around 12/13 years old, so it lasted well to be fair.


Yup, it seems the common issue is blowing fuses on startup. Although mine blew whilst using the machine and seemed to have blown whilst pulling the trigger in quick succession - haven't done that since and it seems perfectly fine so who knows.

I have seen some AVA users recommend slow blow fuses but whilst it's probably perfectly safe, it still seems a little bit bodgy to me.
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Mine/friends all happened on the bit that isn't removable that comes out on the machine itself. It's a weedy narrow brittle bit of plastic. so there would be no way of not snapping it. The last one I had fully snapped off. I did think about glueing it, but the high pressure etc, there would never have been a garranteed proper seal.
Ours never lasted more than a couple of summers, and only used in the summer. It'd be fine if they weren't charging stupid money for shocking build quality/materials.
 
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Have bought the Nilfisk 110 for friends and family, both with a much better Qwashers hose. It's now time for me to get our own :D.

Want to get something a little beefier but should I be avoiding models with an internal retractable hose? Saw some comments suggest the Core 150 requires you to take it apart, voiding the warranty, to fit a new hose.
 
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