Karcher pressure washers
06 January 2011, 07:22 PM
#1
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Karcher pressure washers
I'm looking to buy the above but I'm not sure what spec I need as there seems to be loads of different models. What i plan to use it for is washing the car with snow foam and the occasional cleaning of the drive and garden decking.
Will I notice any difference with a 100 bar pressure or 110bar and again any difference between a 1300 or 1400 watt motors? I've seen loads refurbished for under £60. Any advice appreciated.
Will I notice any difference with a 100 bar pressure or 110bar and again any difference between a 1300 or 1400 watt motors? I've seen loads refurbished for under £60. Any advice appreciated.
06 January 2011, 07:31 PM
#2
Personally i wouldn`t touch any of the karcher home range with a barge pole, they have a cheap plastic feel.
The hose flex is rigid cheap plastic, the diamond lance on ours packed up after a few months, not long after the motor started making a horrible racket.
The hose flex is rigid cheap plastic, the diamond lance on ours packed up after a few months, not long after the motor started making a horrible racket.
06 January 2011, 07:44 PM
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Karcher are pants now, my dad had one that lasted 20 years bought a new one for £300 handle started leaking and broke then the front cracked something inside and it pisses water everywhere now.
Bought a blue one on amazon for £50 which seems to be much better value
Bought a blue one on amazon for £50 which seems to be much better value
06 January 2011, 07:44 PM
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Hmmmmmm I thought that it was a decent brand hence looking specifically for them, back to the drawing board. 
what is considered a decent brand for what I require?
what is considered a decent brand for what I require?
06 January 2011, 08:08 PM
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We use K Archer in work and they get a right hammering with very few problems. Got a K.54 I think at home which is also good.
Work out the efficiency of a washer by the water flow rate rather than Psi/Bar rating. You could have 10million bar but if its only going through eye of a needle then it next to useless.
Chip
Work out the efficiency of a washer by the water flow rate rather than Psi/Bar rating. You could have 10million bar but if its only going through eye of a needle then it next to useless.
Chip
06 January 2011, 08:09 PM
#6
My first Karcher lasted 7 years, only replaced it as it didn't have auto on off.
Second one is 2 years into service with no issues. I bought it as a reconditioned unit as it was half price, but with a full 12month warranty for half the price.
Second one is 2 years into service with no issues. I bought it as a reconditioned unit as it was half price, but with a full 12month warranty for half the price.
06 January 2011, 08:41 PM
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Right after looking through the models there are two which have a 360 litres per hour as apposed to 330 litres per hour which are cheaper but not by much. Am I better off paying extra for a slightly higher flow rate?
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06 January 2011, 08:47 PM
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Look no further - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7151062.htm?_$ja=tsid:11527%7Ccc:%7Cprd:7151062%7C cat:garden+and+diy+%2F+pressure+washers+%2F+electr ic+pressure+washers+%2F
06 January 2011, 09:00 PM
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I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Im also thinking about buying a Karcher so I can snowfoam my car.
Read a lot of bad reviews about reliablity on Amazon etc. Its kinda putting me off!
Read a lot of bad reviews about reliablity on Amazon etc. Its kinda putting me off!
06 January 2011, 09:07 PM
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My parents wanted a pressure washer for Chrimbo. Heard loads of bad things about the Karchers, from people who had used them and from the Amazon reviews.
The people I knew that said Karcher were unreliable and prone to breaking pointed me in the direction of Nilfisk and it seems pretty good so far.
Admittedly it's early days and I've never used a Karcher but certainly worth taking a look. They're fudging cheap an' all.
The people I knew that said Karcher were unreliable and prone to breaking pointed me in the direction of Nilfisk and it seems pretty good so far.
Admittedly it's early days and I've never used a Karcher but certainly worth taking a look. They're fudging cheap an' all.
Last edited by Zaim; 06 January 2011 at 09:09 PM.
06 January 2011, 09:15 PM
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Look no further - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...re+washers+%2F
Thanks for that. Also sourced a snowfoam gun for Nilfisks
06 January 2011, 09:38 PM
#13
I've said it once, I'll say it again....But this time I'lll keep it concise: They are shyte. Buy a Bosch
Also, whatever you do get, make sure it has a fabric/textile covered hose (eg: Aquatak 150). Which is much more durable than the plastic/rubber coated hoses
Also, whatever you do get, make sure it has a fabric/textile covered hose (eg: Aquatak 150). Which is much more durable than the plastic/rubber coated hoses
Last edited by ALi-B; 06 January 2011 at 09:41 PM.
06 January 2011, 10:20 PM
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Ive been through a few different makes. currently using a nilfisk p150 for about 18 months with no complaints, used weekly. Screwfix has them on offer occasionally with more than £100 off. I got mine for 180 delivered at the time.
07 January 2011, 07:45 AM
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Nilfisk for me too 
but if you look after any pressure washer then it "should" be ok, though the Nilfisk are better vfm and snow foam lances are not an issue as are easily obtainable if you wanted one 
Tony
but if you look after any pressure washer then it "should" be ok, though the Nilfisk are better vfm and snow foam lances are not an issue as are easily obtainable if you wanted one Tony
07 January 2011, 01:28 PM
#19
Been there: The cylinder head has probably cracked on the outlet around the cut-out switch. Domestic Karcher cylinder heads are often made of plastic, and when they split they cost more than a new pressure-washer to repair.
VERY likely to happen if its been left in a shed over winter (before storing in winter, disconect all hoses and shake it until nothing comes out, or breifly run it for one second - but not any longer).
Bosch use brass cylinder heads on their posh models. Also have good spare parts availability
VERY likely to happen if its been left in a shed over winter (before storing in winter, disconect all hoses and shake it until nothing comes out, or breifly run it for one second - but not any longer).
Bosch use brass cylinder heads on their posh models. Also have good spare parts availability
Last edited by ALi-B; 07 January 2011 at 01:32 PM.
07 January 2011, 10:42 PM
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We have Gerni's in Oz, which use Nilfisk parts. They all brass internals, so a lot stronger than Karchers plastic internals.
I've had mine for 2 weeks now and all good so far
I've had mine for 2 weeks now and all good so far
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