Tex Star Detail
Formerly TexasTB
I vowed today, to never buy another Karcher product, ever.
When I first started detailing, I picked up a pressure washer from Big Lots. Sure, it was a reconditioned one, but cheap enough to start my business. It had a Honda 5 hp engine and a horizontal Karcher pump. It ran smooth for a long time. Had it for 3 years actually, beating it down daily. Over the 3 years, I had the pump serviced 2 or 3 times, I cannot remember which. The muffler broke on it and was, well, loud. I tried to replace the muffler, but a broken bolt denied me of doing so........ So I ran it with one muffler bolt and took the noise. Fast forward the beginning of 2009. The pump started failing again. This time, I knew it was a goner. Water was leaking from everywhere. I decided to retire it while it at least was still running.
I replaced it with another Karcher washer with a Honda 5.5 hp motor. Man this thing was QUIET. It was like it wasn't even running. Maybe I was just used to my old one that sounded like a monster truck with bad timing......
This one had the vertical shaft. I don't really care for these types, but I could not pass up the deal. (I wish I did now) After 3 months, the pump went south. Yes, 3 months. No warranty, as I bought it new, but from an individual who purchased it and never used it. (Still sealed in box and he had no receipt) I decided to take the pump apart and lube the valves. (Karcher has a thing with sticky valves)
I get it back together, and no go. Same old BS. I unhook the water supply from the water tank in my van and hook up the water hose. Turn it on and water blows out everywhere. Another washer gone...... Now I have a nice brand new Honda motor and no pump.
I price pumps, and to my surprise, I'd rather just spend the money on a better, more industrial model. Having the pump rebuilt professionally is even more expensive.
I decided to go buy another pressure washer today. I went with another cheap one. Actually, same exact model. Figured it was a good washer while it lasted, and maybe I had a freak pressure washer.
It was the same model, engine and Karcher pump.. (see where this is headed?)
I get it home, put it together, add oil and gas, and mount it in the van. Hook up all the hoses and fire it up. Nothing. The pump isn't sucking the water from the tank like my other washers did. Weird, since the last one did and was the same model. I take it back out, check all the lines for loose ends or holes which would let air in the system. Switched pressure washer hose and gun and even new tips. Put it back in and......Nothing still. Wait, there was something..... Gas was leaking EVERYWHERE! I pulled it back out of the van. (mounting and taking it back out is pretty time consuming, but I think I'm becoming a pro.) I find the gas leak, one of the gaskets on the carb is completely missing.
I make a new one and fixed the problem. So... I decided to NOT put it back in the van and just return it....
I DO NOT want to buy a pump for the damn thing, as it would be a pain. I do not want to run my generator to run a pump to run my pressure washer. SO.... I hate Karcher. I am thinking of going out and buying a nice, expensive washer from Home Depot with a CAT pump. At least I'll have a decent 3 yr. warranty if anything decides to go wrong with it.
Summary: Karcher sucks, been through 3 already, 2 in the past 3 months. Will never buy again.
End Rant
When I first started detailing, I picked up a pressure washer from Big Lots. Sure, it was a reconditioned one, but cheap enough to start my business. It had a Honda 5 hp engine and a horizontal Karcher pump. It ran smooth for a long time. Had it for 3 years actually, beating it down daily. Over the 3 years, I had the pump serviced 2 or 3 times, I cannot remember which. The muffler broke on it and was, well, loud. I tried to replace the muffler, but a broken bolt denied me of doing so........ So I ran it with one muffler bolt and took the noise. Fast forward the beginning of 2009. The pump started failing again. This time, I knew it was a goner. Water was leaking from everywhere. I decided to retire it while it at least was still running.
I replaced it with another Karcher washer with a Honda 5.5 hp motor. Man this thing was QUIET. It was like it wasn't even running. Maybe I was just used to my old one that sounded like a monster truck with bad timing......
This one had the vertical shaft. I don't really care for these types, but I could not pass up the deal. (I wish I did now) After 3 months, the pump went south. Yes, 3 months. No warranty, as I bought it new, but from an individual who purchased it and never used it. (Still sealed in box and he had no receipt) I decided to take the pump apart and lube the valves. (Karcher has a thing with sticky valves)
I get it back together, and no go. Same old BS. I unhook the water supply from the water tank in my van and hook up the water hose. Turn it on and water blows out everywhere. Another washer gone...... Now I have a nice brand new Honda motor and no pump.
I price pumps, and to my surprise, I'd rather just spend the money on a better, more industrial model. Having the pump rebuilt professionally is even more expensive.
I decided to go buy another pressure washer today. I went with another cheap one. Actually, same exact model. Figured it was a good washer while it lasted, and maybe I had a freak pressure washer.
It was the same model, engine and Karcher pump.. (see where this is headed?)
I get it home, put it together, add oil and gas, and mount it in the van. Hook up all the hoses and fire it up. Nothing. The pump isn't sucking the water from the tank like my other washers did. Weird, since the last one did and was the same model. I take it back out, check all the lines for loose ends or holes which would let air in the system. Switched pressure washer hose and gun and even new tips. Put it back in and......Nothing still. Wait, there was something..... Gas was leaking EVERYWHERE! I pulled it back out of the van. (mounting and taking it back out is pretty time consuming, but I think I'm becoming a pro.) I find the gas leak, one of the gaskets on the carb is completely missing.
I make a new one and fixed the problem. So... I decided to NOT put it back in the van and just return it....I DO NOT want to buy a pump for the damn thing, as it would be a pain. I do not want to run my generator to run a pump to run my pressure washer. SO.... I hate Karcher. I am thinking of going out and buying a nice, expensive washer from Home Depot with a CAT pump. At least I'll have a decent 3 yr. warranty if anything decides to go wrong with it.
Summary: Karcher sucks, been through 3 already, 2 in the past 3 months. Will never buy again.
End Rant
It is a day and night comparison from what I was using/dealing with. It has a 3 year warranty on everything, so if anything should go wrong, it's covered. Also opted for the extended warranty AFTER the 3 years is up. I know I probably threw that money out, but I feel better about it.
