O.K. Guys: Give me any input you have on pressure washers. I currently have a Craftsman 2250 psi. 2.2 gpm with a B&S 5.5 motor. The motor is great. No problems. The pump on the other hand is a piece of crap. Rebuilt the pump 2 times, and every time I want to use it I have to work on it. Right now it's stuck on high, if you release the trigger the motor dies from the load. I am going to buy a new unit, so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tim

 

Get a used one from a rental store. An 11-13hp Honda powered one will still cost you around $350-500, but it'll last the rest of your life. Just don't run it dry ever, and don't let it freeze or even the highest quality pump will die.

 

I'd avoid any pressure washer sold at Home Depot or that has the name Devilbiss on it.

I've had great luck with my Craftsman so far over the three years that I have had it.

One thing that will kill a pressure washer pump is leaving the motor running while you aren't spraying. Even the pumps that have a bypass won't take that for long.

 

i've got 2, ones just a lil camble housefield 2250psi (i think) and it works good for washin the pick-up or lawn mower, then i got one thats like a 5000psi with heat now that one turned up will peel the tuffest grease off just about anything.even paint if your not carefull

 

I have two that were both given to me that have been great machines one is a Simpson contractor 2500 psi 5.0 GPM and it is belt drive with a 11hp I/C briggs motor now shes a monster but the only thing I really use it for is cleaning my house and concrete,sometimes my boat.

The one I use the most is a nice little Generac 2300psi 3.0 GPM one that has a 5hp kawasaki motor and a Annovi Reverberi direct drive pump.This thing is really a nice machine,lite and easy to move and works way better then those little homedopy units.

You need to get one with a real piston pump and at least 2.9 gpm or greater pump and a horozontal motor.Annovi reverberi,Cat and General pumps are all good pumps and I have used all three companys in a rental fleet and they hold up well.

 

Whatever you buy, make absolutely sure it has a Honda motor on it. Then decide how big you need to go, and then buy the next size up, just to make sure

 

I agree that Honda motors are great but coupled to a crap pump it is worthless. Mine had a Honda motor but the pumps wouldn't last.

I'd take a B&S with a good pump any time.

 

Don't be fooled by a motor with the HONDA name. Over the past couple of years honda has made a super cheapo line of motors (any motor with GC or GVC ie GC190or GVC190). It is a aluminum bore motor that is just as crappy as the briggs or tecumseh aluminum bore engine. Step up to an engine that CLEARLY states "CAST IRON BORE" and you will have an engine that will last 20-30 times longer than an aluminum bore motor. The honda GS series motors are a GC series motor with a cast iron bore and are not to bad but really no better than a Briggs or Tecumseh cast iron bore motor. I would stay far away from the verticle shaft motors put on pressure washers. They are Lawn mower motors and are crap. It boils down to you pay for what you get, but dont get had for what you paid.

FYI be aware of the actual Horse power rating of your pressure washer. For example the Honda GS190 is rated at a max of 5.2hp( on Honda's Site) but when I see the same motor at Home Depot it is rated at 6.0hp or even 6.5hp They are fudging the numbers a little to much. Also CRAFTSMAN does NOT make their own power equipment any longer and haven't done so for a dozen years or more. They along with 50 other brands buy from a company called AYP(American Yard Products) and simply put different stickers and colors of paint on a product because they know people hate certain brands but love others. So long story short you essentially are buying the same piece of crap weather is says Craftsman, Yard Machines, MTD, Murray, Troy Bilt, Devilbiss, Husquvarna, etc. Sorry but its true.

 

Most of the rental company ones are Honda GS or GX series engine.

 

With all the aluminum coated bores in use around the home, getting motorcycle air filter oil is the only way to oil the filters. Do not use regular motor oil it gets thin from heat and runs down, if back spray from the carb gets on it it washes it out easier. Using foam filter oil will make all your weedeaters lawn mowers etc. last longer, the slightest amount of dirt on that nickel silicon coating in the bores eats it up quick!!
Maxima foam filter oil is what I use, get a bottle and split it with your friend just a few drops and knead it in once you use it you will see the difference. In gas powered power washers running gas line dryer every now and then will prevent problems and storing it with a full tank helps too!!

 

I have a 2400 psi Powermate by Coleman. Just over $200.00 and it works well. Like everyone says, do not run motor without squeezing the trigger.

 

When I worked at a small engine shop, I had to fix a pressure washer that had that exact problem (engine dies when you release the trigger), at first I thought it was probably the pressure relief, but then I looked at the pressure hose connections. There was a pretty significant leak at one end, not Niagara Falls, but noticible. I replaced the o-ring on the hose end and it worked perfectly. The problem was that when you let go of the trigger, the leak would cause just the right amount of pressure drop so that the pressure relief circuit wouldn't engage in the pump, but would build up enough pump pressure to kill the engine. So, before you buy a new pressure washer, check if you only need to buy a .25 cent o-ring first.