Pressure washer spec me

ShivP

ShivP

ShivP

Soldato
Soldato
Joined
26 Oct 2013
Posts
9,949
Location
Leicester
Hi all

After some pressure washer advice. Our Karcher K3.550 has just **** the bed and it looks like we need a new one.

Looking at the Karcher K5 full control without the "home" package, but they are out of stock absolutely everywhere!!

What alternatives do we have? Getting confused with the nilfisk options so any advice would be appreciated. Mainly used to wash cars and clean the block paving. Up to £300 is fine

Thanks
 
The_One said:
Karcher K4 full control its on offer at screwfix right now
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It’s not an essential item though so click and collect orders are being pushed back based on priority, may be available for delivery though, not sure.

I’ve been waiting 10 days to collect a lightbulb for my Nan’s kitchen.
 
most are reparable .. pressure relief valve gunged up ? what are the symptoms ? more fun than watching netflix.

The_One said:
Karcher K4 full control its on offer
Click to expand...

so that's, apparently, a new / unnecessary digital widget
Gives you direct feedback as to the pressure setting you are on, ensuring you get the right pressure setting for the surface you are trying to clean. The pressure can be regulated by twisting the Vario Power spray lance until the desired level is shown. The LED display on the Full Control trigger gun allows you to easily check the pressure setting you are on
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Assuming your replying to me.

I had one recently that whilst washing the patio the motor got slower and slower and then smoke/steam started coming from unit and then it locked up.

and the previous one did nothing but leak, first leaked at the hose attachment, fixed that then just began leaking from inside the unit itself causing it to constantly cycle the motor to try and keep the pressure up. (And failing)

both went in the bin and put off karcher washers for life.
 
equally posed to original ShivP ..

but at what point in the karcher range do they have brass internal head/valve units on them ?

the o-rings on the hose attachments do go too; I've never looked to see what kind of maximum operating period they specify, as they do get hot, and that would cause premature failure - look at the electricity consumption ... had to put a slow blow 13A fuse in mine (but maybe the starter capacitor is failing)
 
The full control aspect is a gimmick you really don’t need it but the pressure washer itself works really well.

I’m sure I read somewhere that a lot of the issues arise because people don’t drain out the water inside the machine after use, which then freezes when the weather gets colder, expands and breaks things.

I always make sure I disconnect the water feed then pull the trigger to force the water out.
 
Captain said:
It’s not an essential item though so click and collect orders are being pushed back based on priority, may be available for delivery though, not sure.

I’ve been waiting 10 days to collect a lightbulb for my Nan’s kitchen.
Click to expand...

Weird. Everything I’ve ordered for click and collect has been ready in minutes. Same with Toolstation.
 
If you want a karcher try https://www.karcheroutlet.co.uk/

Got my k4 full control from there about two years ago its still going strong and it was brand new in my eyes it just didnt come in retail packaging but a very heavy duty brown box. I got mine for under 100 at the time but paid to extend the warranty to a year for 10 quid extra
 
adwol48 said:
If you want a karcher try https://www.karcheroutlet.co.uk/

Got my k4 full control from there about two years ago its still going strong and it was brand new in my eyes it just didnt come in retail packaging but a very heavy duty brown box. I got mine for under 100 at the time but paid to extend the warranty to a year for 10 quid extra
Click to expand...

i was going to buy from there last week

for twenty quid more i bought from screwfix with a 3 yr warranty and next day delivery
 
I must have got a right bargain then because when i bought my k4 full control i got it for 94.99 inc vat from there. They do seem to have gone up in price on that site recently but even they are out if stock at the minute
 
karcher is much like Apple. overpriced and gimmicky.

Nilfisk you get a better pressure washer which will last longer for £100 cheaper usually.

Karcher has that sheep brand name which they all just go and buy much like dyson.
 
.... stripped down, cyclinder head, on 20 year old k7 was fine ... don't think it was the exception that prooves the rule
- brands need to be more open on the build quality through the ranges, so you know what you are getting.
jpaul said:
[

Started trying to fix pressure washer - low flow - just need to figure out how to remove the left pressure relief valve

48230073407_d45f6d3538_o_d.jpg
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[/QUOTE]
 
Doobedoo said:
The full control aspect is a gimmick you really don’t need it but the pressure washer itself works really well.

I’m sure I read somewhere that a lot of the issues arise because people don’t drain out the water inside the machine after use, which then freezes when the weather gets colder, expands and breaks things.

I always make sure I disconnect the water feed then pull the trigger to force the water out.
Click to expand...
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I bought my Nilfisk about 8 years ago based on what I read about them on these forums. I've never taken the time to drain it properly and it's stored in a shed and it's still going now.
 
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