Karcher Pressure Washer help needed!

[inane2]

Good afternoon all,

I have a pressure washer question for my resident TBN'ers. I have a Karcher electric pressure washer, 3.68M. I do also have a gas powered washer but I like the little Karcher, sometimes it easier / quicker to use it depending on location, application, etc. The Karcher is 10 years old and has never given me one minute of trouble. Used it last summer without any issues.

Pulled the washer out over the weekend to wash the Power Wheels off. Plugged it up, hooked up the water, squeezed the trigger to get it flowing. I then turned the pump on, the motor ran, pressurized the hose and shut off (just like normal). However, the trigger on the wand had all kinds of pressure behind it and I couldn't depress it, way too pressurized. Shut everything off, unscrewed the hose, flushed the line and tried again, same result. Did some quick research online and came up with several things. I don't believe I have an obstruction in the wand but perhaps a stuck valve or stuck bypass valve. Tore the washer down last night and investigated. Concerning the pump, there isn't much there on the surface. It is slightly oily on the bottom of the pump where the hoses connect.

Where do I go from here? I don't care for a further tear down I just want to be cautious so I don't have o-rings, pistons and springs flying all over the shop. I anticipate comments such as "those are junk", "throw it away", etc. I'm good with that, but if it's something fairly simple or cheap to fix, I don't mind to fix it. While it is 10 years old and I feel certain I've gotten my money out of it, I don't want to give up on the old girl unless it´s something significant.

Thanks!

 

[flyerdan]

If it's making pressure and shutting off it sounds like the unit itself is working fine, I'd guess you have an issue with the valve in the wand. Maybe try cycling it a few times without a load, if you can run unpressurized through it. I'd probably take the wand valve apart in case there is some loose part like a safety lockout that came undone.

 

[Wagtail]

Yep, there's nothing wrong with the pumping unit, right up to the wand, as you've ascertained.

The simple method of fault finding is to eliminate what is working then concentrate on what isn't. You've done that. Usually it's a logical 'thing' after you've un-complicated the overall problem & situation.

I agree with flyerdan... the problem is now in the 'common' component causing the symptoms, ie: you are unable to to work the trigger of the wand. Concentrate there.

Oh, and have fun ('cause throwing the bloody offending component against the nearest hard surface typically results in more faults )

 

[Wagtail]

I forgot to mention that I have an electric Karcher too.

By your description (the trigger won't move) I'd suspect the underside locking 'knob'. After 10 years of ownership, a bit of plastic in the wand has probably broken off or become unseated.

 

[inane2]

Thanks guys! Look like I'll have to investigate the wand. It sprays just fine when the water is running from the outdoor hydrant and through the washer (without pressure). As soon as you add pressure, man this thing gets tight and won't unload.

Wand has 8 torx screws. I'll take it apart and give it a look. Thanks again!

 

[oosik]

I have a Honda gas powered pressure washer. Had the same problem. It was crud in the trigger valve mechanism/chamber. Once cleaned, it worked fine.