Karcher or briggs and stratton pressure washer

triniringo · Postby **triniringo** » November 12th, 2019, 9:15 pm

Which brand is better....

maj. tom · Postby **maj. tom** » November 12th, 2019, 9:38 pm

Both are good brands. If you're doing anything more than light-duty work then get a gas powered washer. And don't use a heavy duty unit to do light work, like washing your car (paint/clear coat damage).

I use a 1700W electric 1800 psi for indoor, stairs, windows and car. And a 3000 psi gas powered for outdoor concrete, yard, stripping paint, etc. The electric washer will send up your electric bill easily if you do heavy duty with it, as well as put strain on the assembly. Do invest in safety equipment as well: eye and hearing protection, non-slip shoes and a hat for working in the sun.

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » November 12th, 2019, 10:10 pm

The electric karchers have a plastic pump head manifold
It is a weak point and tends to split and leak, will cost almost same new price to fix by Hadden.
Happened to my electric karcher twice and it didn’t have much usage, mostly washing m6 vehicle.
They don’t admit it but if you ask the techs in the back they will tell you it is a common problem.

rollingstock · Postby **rollingstock** » November 12th, 2019, 10:12 pm

B&S and if possible look for one with a horizontal pump.

pjfred · Postby **pjfred** » November 13th, 2019, 5:27 am

I bought a pricesmart honda gas powered for $2700 about 10 years ago and an electric 1600 psi from khanico for $600 3years, they both work great and I use each one as described earlier. One for light duty and the other for heavy work.

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » November 13th, 2019, 5:44 am

The good thing about the karchers though is you get the rotating nozzle instead of the flat which takes away some of the power.

hydroep · Postby **hydroep** » November 13th, 2019, 6:30 am

Both make good models, main thing is intended use and duty cycle. Many people buy homeowner grade models because they're cheaper, use them in commercial applications and get vex when they don't hold out.

Right now we have a B&S with a Karcher pump (couldn't get a genuine B&S replacement locally) and it works fine. Only other problem is the gas tank (which is made from some thin cheap-arse plastic) has developed a crack. Motor still runs like a champ.

maj. tom · Postby **maj. tom** » November 13th, 2019, 7:48 am

JB Weld that crack. They have a specific one for gas tank repair to hold out against gasoline solvents.
https://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-8217-Ta ... B00R2CDUWE

hydroep · Postby **hydroep** » November 13th, 2019, 9:35 am

^Thanks. Allied has a range of JB Weld products, I'll check if they carry it.

Someone supposed to give me a contact for a gentleman that does plastic welding. Dunno much about that but it's an option as well.

Postby **nervewrecker** » November 13th, 2019, 11:42 am

pugboy wrote:The electric karchers have a plastic pump head manifold
It is a weak point and tends to split and leak, will cost almost same new price to fix by Hadden.
Happened to my electric karcher twice and it didn’t have much usage, mostly washing m6 vehicle.
They don’t admit it but if you ask the techs in the back they will tell you it is a common problem.

WTF, its that much?

Both of mines developed the same issue. One, the motor short cycling with the trigger not depressed due to leak on the head and the other just running right through.

I scrapped both and repaired them. Opened the heads, serviced and sealed them proper, changed oil etc.

I have one in service. The next, I think forgot to put back the connection on the capacitor.

Both coated with heresite vr-514 anti corrosion coating.

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » November 13th, 2019, 11:52 am

You replaced the part of attempted to seal it?
The karchers you cannot try and epoxy or seal it.
The second time I bought the part online and fixed it myself.

The karcher motors are strong but I wouldn’t service by hadden

nervewrecker wrote:
pugboy wrote:The electric karchers have a plastic pump head manifold
It is a weak point and tends to split and leak, will cost almost same new price to fix by Hadden.
Happened to my electric karcher twice and it didn’t have much usage, mostly washing m6 vehicle.
They don’t admit it but if you ask the techs in the back they will tell you it is a common problem.

WTF, its that much?

Both of mines developed the same issue. One, the motor short cycling with the trigger not depressed due to leak on the head and the other just running right through.

I scrapped both and repaired them. Opened the heads, serviced and sealed them proper, changed oil etc.

I have one in service. The next, I think forgot to put back the connection on the capacitor.

Both coated with heresite vr-514 anti corrosion coating.

Postby **nervewrecker** » November 13th, 2019, 1:39 pm

I roughed up the surfaces and used some gasket sealant on them.
Left to cure 24 hours and so far no issues with one.
I will try the other when I get a chance.
It literally took me 15 minutes to do the smaller one as I had some practice on the bigger one and the smaller one was far easier to do as it was lighter

De Dragon · Postby **De Dragon** » November 13th, 2019, 1:49 pm

The Karcher lower pressure electrics should not be run for any excessive time on idle, and should not be used with an extension cord that is not of a heavy gauge like 12 +. Ensure that your water supply is at least equal to, or exceeds what the machine is rated for in gpm ( time to fill a 5 gallon as an approximate), or you will cavitate the pump and damage it. If your running detergent, use a pressure washer friendly one, or thoroughly flush out the machine after.

Postby **nervewrecker** » November 13th, 2019, 1:59 pm

When you say excessive time on idle, you mean on standby with the discharge chamber pressurized and waiting for use?
I have had a habit of doing that while washing cars. Will leave it ready for use while I rub down and clean. Sometimes 15 minutes or more.
After seeing the design I realise that may have contributed to the issue so I have begun switching off and squeezing the trigger to release the pressure in the head.

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » November 13th, 2019, 2:07 pm

The problem really is that when you release the trigger, the pump still runs for a split second which then triggers a plunger in the manifold which then switches off the unit.

It is during that split second when the pressure builds that the little extra pressure will damage or split the manifold.

Switching off and then opening trigger may help but just the act of releasing trigger still causes the pressure buildup as that is how it is designed.

RedVEVO · Postby **RedVEVO** » November 13th, 2019, 2:30 pm

^^

B&S is the best !

Postby **nervewrecker** » November 13th, 2019, 3:44 pm

Ah, so it's the hammering causes it.
Well I guess as gasket material is kind of elastic it should take some licks vs something brittle when cured.
We shall see

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » November 13th, 2019, 4:21 pm

Also if the plunger which moves the switch to go off is sticky then it will also be a problem.

But in both cases with me
It split on a seam Of the plastic molding
So I more feel the mfg process of the plastic manifold is inferior

carluva · Postby **carluva** » November 13th, 2019, 4:43 pm

I bought a MiTm from ramlagans two years ago. Still in great condition and it's been thru the paces.

Would recommend this brand. Check Ramlagans as well as they have a variety at much better prices than the distributors and agents.

Postby **Duane 3NE 2NR** » December 16th, 2019, 11:59 pm

Bought this T350 attachment for a K'a'rcher K4
works great!!!!
Hadden has sale right now
got it for ~$420

QM · Postby QM » December 21st, 2019, 11:44 pm

Karcher.

Postby SR » December 22nd, 2019, 9:07 am

Karcher ...... local dealer and service centre

pugboy · Postby **pugboy** » December 22nd, 2019, 10:28 am

believe it or not my karcher follow me k3 plastic manifold cracked again two weeks ago
bought the part by hadden and fixed it myself(3rd time) $280

then a week later my sister's own suffered same fate.

I suspect the reason they split is they use an oring which is too large and it is pressed in with plenty force.
This was quite obvious when seeing the big split in the plastic.
I put in a thinner oring, hope it lasts longer.

Hadden says only the K5 model and up meant to be used for more than 30mins at a time.
I run mine for hours at a time.
However my sister's unit has very little time on it.

Postby SR » December 22nd, 2019, 4:35 pm

Running the k2 for hours at a time no issues

adnj · Postby **adnj** » December 22nd, 2019, 7:28 pm

triniringo wrote:Which brand is better....

Karcher is a brand of pressure washers and other machines.

Briggs and Stratton is a brand of small engines.

Karcher uses Briggs and Stratton, Honda, Kohler, Tecumseh, etc., to manufacture engines for their power washers.

[URL]http://www.karcher-help.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/80/4/where-can-i-find-the-engine-manual-for-my-karcher-gas-pressure-washer
[/URL]

EFFECTIC DESIGNS · Postby **EFFECTIC DESIGNS** » December 23rd, 2019, 11:57 am

When in doubt always buy Honda if it comes to small Engines, nothing and nobody can compete with Honda small engine engineering, it lasts forever and always starts on the first pull

triniringo · Postby **triniringo** » December 23rd, 2019, 1:08 pm

Got a 9HP honda engine for sale

abducted · Postby **abducted** » December 23rd, 2019, 4:41 pm

triniringo wrote:Got a 9HP honda engine for sale

Is it from a Civic? Probably a B16A,

viedcht · Postby **viedcht** » December 23rd, 2019, 5:33 pm

Got a Kohler washer from price smart last month, used it for a couple hours, put it back. This morning I went to start it and noticed the oil level drop below the low marker... dunno where the hekk it went! No leaks nothing.

Anyone else ever had that issue?

(Relevance to the thread: only had past experience with old model Honda)

triniringo · Postby **triniringo** » December 24th, 2019, 8:14 pm

viedcht wrote:Got a Kohler washer from price smart last month, used it for a couple hours, put it back. This morning I went to start it and noticed the oil level drop below the low marker... dunno where the hekk it went! No leaks nothing.

Anyone else ever had that issue?

(Relevance to the thread: only had past experience with old model Honda)

My water pump started to leak after just one hour of use...I return it the next day for a full refund