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Reliable petrol pressure washers

Evening all,

I bought recently a Clarke petrol pressure washer, thinking Clarke are a well known make and their kit must be at least half decent, I was very wrong! It wasn't an expensive machine as I don't do a lot of pressure washing, but I have found I do need one. The first machine gave up after less than 6 hours work, was sent back and I got back another brand new one. After about 10 hours, I'm now having identical problems with this one and really don't have time to go through it again.

The point here is who can reccomend a reliable machine for someone who doesn't use the thing every day? (i.e. I dont want to spend a fortune!)

Thanks in advance.

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Replies

  • PRO
    My pressure washer packed in this morning only electric but 120 bar.
    Looked at the Clarke petrol one decided I could not warrant a petrol one. So I picked up a karcher k4 at wickes half price for £140. Worked all day with it plenty of power for paving. 140 bar
    Obviously a fairly cheap one but enough for me and my 6-8 times a year use
    • This reply was deleted.
      • PRO

        Have you considered a generator? Second hand Honda's with a GX and then a K4 works out at less than the amount a similar powered petrol machine. Although I've not worked out what power the pressure washer needs from the generator. An option at least and of course the generator has other uses then too.

        • PRO
          That's not a bad idea I may try and find a generator!
          On power unless you are doing it all day every day I think the 140 bar is plenty. Which Clarke do you have? Just wondering about its pressure rating
          • This reply was deleted.
            • PRO

              What's been the problem ?

            • PRO
              I've not used one as high as that but the higher pressure will make the job quicker.
              For me it's not worth it as I would not go petrol unless it has a Honda engine on it making it too expensive for my limited use
              I was quite impressed with the k4 for the money. One bonus with the electric is you don't pay to fuel it!!
              • This reply was deleted.
                • PRO
                  If the engine is hunting you may well have the carb set too rich or too lean and the governor is trying to keep the revs stable and not being able to keep it steady due to this
                  • PRO
                    Another thing to be sure of is that no one else is "stealing " your water pressure(washing machine etc)
                • PRO

                  Not quite had those symptoms but running on ours got 'problematical' as the fuel level started to drop and with the fuel tank sitting on top on the engine, it slowly cooks the fuel and we had problems restarting unless it had totally cooled down or we refueled it more often (heatsoak ?)

                  Always had some EasyStart to hand.

                  We've got a PLS 260 13hp (no longer made). Blown the pump once and broke the FSC (self inflicted :( )

                  Can be handful starting as you need one hand on trigger to release pressure while trying to pull a starter cord on a 13hp engine with the other is 'sometimes a challenge' !

                  • This reply was deleted.
                    • PRO

                      When under heavy continious load the engine gets very hot (..I know a bit obvious !) but the heat it generates soaks everything - if you feel under the petrol tank it is really quite hot (it has no insulation under it). As the fuel level drops, the petrol becomes hot and seems to vapourise a little.

                      Once stopped for a while (while moving or clearing sludge etc) you come back it struggles to start until it's cooled or "Easy-started".

                      Not sure it the best thing to do, but we used to take the hose off the pump and cool the engine down that way ;)

                    • PRO
                      Hot starting problems are usually over rich on the carb. ie. Too much fuel but not quite enough to stop it running when it's going.Is the plug black?
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