Karcher pressure washer

[rorywquin]

I took previous, previous karcher apart and was surprised that so much of the important bits were made of plastic, it was this that had cracked, saying that with water even metal will split if it freezes.

I think many have died because they were in the shed in winter and the pump was not drained!

 

[LostKiwi]

My Dad was in the high pressure sprayer and water blasting business (in a manufacturing, distribution, service and sales company).
He never rated Karcher as they didn't use decent components. He always recommended pressure washers with ceramic pistons as anything else will corrode over time. The worst thing you can do is turn off the pressure washer, disconnect the water and put it away. It leaves the pump full of water. Far better to turn off the water, run until no more water comes out then turn off the pump.
Lack of use is the biggest killer for any pressure washer.
My own pressure washer is a 10 year old Nilfisk. ****** marvellous bit of kit that's survived a lot of abuse.

 

[Srdl]

Lack of use is the biggest killer for any pressure washer.

That’s why I’ve had a problem. I suppose I ought to wash the car myself more often!

 

[AnthonyUK]

There are some good deals on the Nilfisk outlet too. They appear to be related to Karcher or at least it is the same company handling the refurbished sales for both.

https://www.nilfiskoutlet.co.uk/products/maincat.asp?mid=Pressure-Washers

 

[Denis O]

K4 is a fine machine. It uses a metal motor which is water cooled. I've been using one for 4 years and it works hard here in Greece, cleaning all the outside patio areas, and there are many. It replaced a K2, which is still going but not so well these days.

The big problem I have is with the Dirt-Blaster lance. It's a chocolate teapot of a thing. Not fit for purpose and usually last about an hour before needing a good squirt of WD 40. Works well when it's working though.

I bought mine from the Karcher Outlet. https://www.karcheroutlet.co.uk/index.asp who currently have a K4 at £125.

 

[Capra]

K4 is a fine machine. It uses a metal motor which is water cooled. I've been using one for 4 years and it works hard here in Greece, cleaning all the outside patio areas, and there are many. It replaced a K2, which is still going but not so well these days.

The big problem I have is with the Dirt-Blaster lance. It's a chocolate teapot of a thing. Not fit for purpose and usually last about an hour before needing a good squirt of WD 40. Works well when it's working though.

I bought mine from the Karcher Outlet. https://www.karcheroutlet.co.uk/index.asp who currently have a K4 at £125.

Do these prices change? I could have got a K4 with an added 12 month warranty for £118 delivered!!!

 

[Capra]

My Dad was in the high pressure sprayer and water blasting business (in a manufacturing, distribution, service and sales company).
He never rated Karcher as they didn't use decent components. He always recommended pressure washers with ceramic pistons as anything else will corrode over time. The worst thing you can do is turn off the pressure washer, disconnect the water and put it away. It leaves the pump full of water. Far better to turn off the water, run until no more water comes out then turn off the pump.
Lack of use is the biggest killer for any pressure washer.
My own pressure washer is a 10 year old Nilfisk. ****** marvellous bit of kit that's survived a lot of abuse.

Since my first one died from being left in the greenhouse I now, only keep in the garage, and make sure I drain the system as much as I can after each use. I'm also going to deny that I own one when someone wants to borrow it.

 

[rorywquin]

..... I'm also going to deny that I own one when someone wants to borrow it.

I always avoid lending out my tools and equipment - never seems to comeback in the same condition as when they went. I always give my gear a wipe down and clean before I put it away (all tools) so that they are ready for use when I want them.

 

[Capra]

I always avoid lending out my tools and equipment - never seems to comeback in the same condition as when they went. I always give my gear a wipe down and clean before I put it away (all tools) so that they are ready for use when I want them.

I bought a chop saw a while back for when I fitted skirting board around the house, for what I paid it did a good job. Lent it out to the usual suspect (used for trade work), when it came back I could see that the saw had been used for wood, plastic, and whatever else. And also, it would never cut at a perfect 90 degree angle again. I'm now on the second blade!!! with little use.

The thing is, I've also borrowed tools, but my use probably represents .001% wear and tear, but for my chop saw, I've only really used about 10% at most. I've also never been returned a £150 title cutter, the response was "I thought I gave that back to you", Yeah right, like I can mislay that!!!

Rant over, still annoys me now!!

 

[rorywquin]

I bought a chop saw a while back for when I fitted skirting board around the house, for what I paid it did a good job. Lent it out to the usual suspect (used for trade work), when it came back I could see that the saw had been used for wood, plastic, and whatever else. And also, it would never cut at a perfect 90 degree angle again. I'm now on the second blade!!! with little use.

The thing is, I've also borrowed tools, but my use probably represents .001% wear and tear, but for my chop saw, I've only really used about 10% at most. I've also never been returned a £150 title cutter, the response was "I thought I gave that back to you", Yeah right, like I can mislay that!!!

Rant over, still annoys me now!!

Yep my father in-law was terrible, stuff never seemed to come back or was returned broken...........difficult to say no!

 

[A.J.]

I always avoid lending out my tools and equipment - never seems to comeback in the same condition as when they went.

And sadly friends are usually amongst the worst at it ! Family I don't mind, you are pretty much obliged to do so. Happily I'm safe with my family

 

[Blobcat]

And sadly friends are usually amongst the worst at it ! Family I don't mind, you are pretty much obliged to do so. Happily I'm safe with my family

I go and do stuff for my friends and neighbours as I don’t lend out tools. I have a certain way about me which means I don’t get asked for them either

 

[Capra]

For some reason I cannot get the plug in detergent to come through, this is not for the car but for the drive. Anyone have the K4 with the plastic canister than you attach??

EDIT: Has to be running on low pressure for the mix to happen.

 

[mersum1es]

my all (three?) kärchers have gone bad by starting that fraking pulsation, and one lost pressure totally until I replaced whole handle system (couldn't find anything wrong inside it), then it broke again after 2 years. Kärchers with metal pump has been in more reliable reputation but after last incidents I went to Nilfisk too. After 4-5 years washer is working ok but it has remote pressure control in handle and it drains control power battery in couple of months.

 

[John Laidlaw]

For some reason I cannot get the plug in detergent to come through, this is not for the car but for the drive. Anyone have the K4 with the plastic canister than you attach??

EDIT: Has to be running on low pressure for the mix to happen.

Beat me to it!!

 

[Capra]

Beat me to it!!

I'm such a div, I should RTFM, I rush into everything!!

 

[LostKiwi]

My stepson is on my blacklist.
He borrowed a dehumidifier to dry out some plaster he'd had done. I'd used it twice. The dog chewed the power lead (apparently) so he threw it away. Took 8 months to get the truth from him. If he'd fessed up at the time I'd have just fitted a new power lead. Never offered to replace it or pay for it.
He also borrowed a set of 4 expensive Oztent camping chairs (Blobcat will be familiar with these I'm sure). Of the 4 3 came back quickly. The 4th took over a year to come back.
If he asks now I either don't have what he wants or someone else has borrowed it.

We gave some friends the keys to our French house for a week (for free). When they left they left food scraps in the kitchen and their kids had knocked a hole through the plasterboard in the kitchen when playing with a rocking chair. They did apologise for the wall but it was a very dismissive apology.
Another friend borrowed it for three weeks (he was actually my ex-boss) and was completely the opposite. He not only arranged and paid for our cleaner to go after they left but also replaced the BBQ gas bottle, left 6 bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne in the house for us for our next visit. On top of that he sent us a hamper of wine and food to our UK home as well!

 

[ajlsl600]

For some reason I cannot get the plug in detergent to come through, this is not for the car but for the drive. Anyone have the K4 with the plastic canister than you attach??

EDIT: Has to be running on low pressure for the mix to happen.

found on mine only works when lance top section is taken off ..karcher..

 

[Capra]

My stepson is on my blacklist.
He borrowed a dehumidifier to dry out some plaster he'd had done. I'd used it twice. The dog chewed the power lead (apparently) so he threw it away. Took 8 months to get the truth from him. If he'd fessed up at the time I'd have just fitted a new power lead. Never offered to replace it or pay for it.
He also borrowed a set of 4 expensive Oztent camping chairs (Blobcat will be familiar with these I'm sure). Of the 4 3 came back quickly. The 4th took over a year to come back.
If he asks now I either don't have what he wants or someone else has borrowed it.

We gave some friends the keys to our French house for a week (for free). When they left they left food scraps in the kitchen and their kids had knocked a hole through the plasterboard in the kitchen when playing with a rocking chair. They did apologise for the wall but it was a very dismissive apology.
Another friend borrowed it for three weeks (he was actually my ex-boss) and was completely the opposite. He not only arranged and paid for our cleaner to go after they left but also replaced the BBQ gas bottle, left 6 bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne in the house for us for our next visit. On top of that he sent us a hamper of wine and food to our UK home as well!

Thing is, the people that took the p!ss will find that they'll not be invited to use your place again. In my eyes, if someone is generous enough to let you stay for free, then in some way you repay the favour, in by whatever means that is. You're ex-boss sounds spot on.

 

[LostKiwi]

Thing is, the people that took the p!ss will find that they'll not be invited to use your place again. In my eyes, if someone is generous enough to let you stay for free, then in some way you repay the favour, in by whatever means that is. You're ex-boss sounds spot on.

Ex boss was absolutely spot on in all respects.