Gas Pressure Washers Reviews

I gave this to my husband as a father's day gift from the dog, and my husband has loved it. He says he likes the 2-year warranty, the directions were easy to follow, there was a minimal amount of assembly, and there is a storage tray. He also says that what impressed him was when he took it out of the box and put in oil and gas, it started up on the first try. He says the tires are a tad small but likes the semi-pneumatic tires(whatever that means). He also says the construction of the frame is sturdy and was thought out well when designed. He recommends this as a great first power pressure washer for use around the house. Definitely a great guy toy to give or to buy for yourself...We have the cleanest driveway on the block.

By far, the best pressure washer I've ever owned. All materials included were quality built included the very quiet Honda GX 200. This is not your typical home improvement super store pressure washer. The combination of GPM and pressure make cleaning super fast and complete. The unit included their Dirtblaster nozzle (plus five other varieties at different degrees of coverage) which made cleaning the driveway a snap. Buying quality from the start is the only way to go and will save you from having to buy another later.

We just received our Karcher...the box looked like it had been opened and re-taped shut. There wasn't an owner's manual for the pressure washer...only for the engine. There weren't any nozzles (renders the thing useless). I called Karcher and they immediately sent the missing parts (by pony express, they arrived 10 days later).

Neither the owners manual NOR the engine manual match the actual engine. There are 2 places to add oil (use the grey with the dip stick, it is easier). The choke is the push/pull wire lever on the OHV side of the engine.

Now that the ugly stuff is out of the way, once you have loaded the oil and the gas, set the choke, throttle, etc. just pull the cord and let her rip. This has to be the easiest starting recoil engine that I have ever used (I am a female, 5'2"). One pull and she goes. The pressure is excellent and adjustable.

I added a quick connect for the supply water hose as I found that I was losing the skin on my knuckle otherwise.

If all of the parts had arrived together, the machine wasn't scuffed up, and the manuals actually matched the machine I would have rated this a 5.

I purchased this washer for ~$500. It arrived approximately one week after placing the order.

This is a well-engineered product. It assembled quite easily. It starts easily (every time on the first pull if you follow directions). The engine is surprisingly quiet for 6 1/2 hp. The unit rolls easily on large pneumatic tires, the spray tips change easily, and it has one powerful spray! It can easily strip oil stain off cedar shake shingles, blast deep-rooted grass and weeds out of cracks in asphalt, strip paint, and remove moss, stains and mold from asbestos shingles. The cleaning speed and effectiveness compares favorably with industrial units I have rented. This is more than your average homeowner pressure washer.

Now the minor gripes:

- The unit came in a large box with no packing material; the box looked like it had been opened and taped/stapled shut. The box was partially crushed and some of the yellow paint had warn off onto the cardboard due to rubbing during shipping. Fortunately there was no damage to the unit other than a little missing paint.

- The 30' high-pressure hose is fairly stiff and doesn't coil easily. The addition of some twist couplings at each end would be welcome. In practical applications, 30' is usually long enough, although it seems you could always use a few more feet.

- There are two oil fill openings on the engine. It is unclear which opening should be filled until almost overflowing, as directed in the instructions (it's the lower one -- be sure to find both before filling).

- Engine controls are straightforward once you get used to them, but poorly marked. The correct choke, throttle, on/off switch, and fuel valve positions need to be memorized, because, at best, you are provided with very small symbols or letters stamped, in black, into a black surface. Nevertheless, the engine performance is impressive.

- Directions are adequate provided you read carefully. In an instance or two, it seems like they were written for an earlier model; engine controls are not quite as described in the instructions.

As I said, these gripes are minor compared to the quality and power of this unit. As of this writing, I have used it 3 times for a total of about 90 minutes.

Engine started one the first pull.
Easy to put together and runs quietly.
More power that I will ever need!!

This is an addendum to the review I wrote on 5/9/2003. I disassembled the hose reel to attempt to see why it was leaking so vigorously (and has leaked since the day it came home). The way the pressurized water or chemical is transferred to the reel involves a couple of ten cent O-rings on either side of a manifold and these were dried out and brittle. ...
Should you purchase this product anticipate that parts may or may not be a problem for you as they have been for me.

I have had a 2400psi, 2.5gpm Karcher unit for about 2 years. It has seen a lot of use and been very reliable.
Recently bought a 3600psi, 4gpm Karcher unit. It is amazing! What used to take 2+ hrs to clean gets done in 30 min.
I terms of reliability, I have not had the unit long enough to comment.

I must confess that I do not use the hose reel and so can't comment on its leaking. I don't feel that the reel is necessary or needed. I just roll the hose after use and hang it on the hooks on the side of the unit designed for that purpose.
As for not being able to fix a flat tire...

In the words of Tim "Tool Time" Taylor, "you can't have enough power!" I like this equipment alot. The six color coded quick release nozzles accomendate any job. I use it (water only) to clean my Trek deck, outdoor furniture and to make my stockade fence and wood shed look new again. It saved us days of labor when getting old paint off a cedar shingles prior to preparing for new paint. This item is POWERFULL. If not used correctly, it'll tear the shingles (or siding) right off the house. There is also a in-flow regulator to adjust for inconsistant water supply. The hose reel and handle are easily removed to allow this equipment to be transported upright inside a compact SUV. Auto shutoff on low oil. Large gas tank. An EXCELLENT tool.

Got mine at Sams too. I used mine once and it worked ok. According to Karcher the pump problems that plagued earlier models is now addressed. The problem is that they didn't address the awful quality of the hose that goes to the gun. It kinks way too easily; very aggravating. It's too bad, this unit has nice features and isn't too heavy, but they simply have to improve the hose quality. It is no better than the hose on their electric pressure washers that are half as much (they kink too). I also will not buy another pressure washer that does not have at least a 35' (better yet a 50') hose on it. When you are drawing detergent and trying to wash out a garage, it's a pain to have to go and keep moving the unit around.

Got this over the weekend from Sam's for three hundred and what a great purchace! I have used my friends 2500 psi, 6 hp washer and also rented one once and this is the cream of the crop! The pull start is effortless. The power is good and the pressure is adequate for most home jobs. I pressure washed the walk, driveway and the house in one day. I started on the fence but it took a little more effort on that one. I think i'll use the siphon to wet it with a detergent of some sort to loosen it up and then blast it!

There are 4 different 2500 psi models, but after talking with a rep at a pressure washer depot, they are essentially the same except for layout/orientation and the OH has 5 hp instead of 5.5 hp, but they are all Honda motors. I plan to get the Karcher surface attachment for the driveway, so look that up if you have alot of driveway to clean. I'm overall very happy with this purchace!

One more thing, some users of a previous model had a problem with the unloader valve sticking. If it becomes a problem with this model, here is a link to the "quick fix": http://www.paddockdrayage.com/Karcher/index.htm

I just received this item (6/29/06). Please keep in mind that this review (and the one STAR I gave it) is an immediate REACTION to the HORRIBLE way this item was packed by PORTER-CABLE, shipped by AMAZON, and handled by UPS!!! It is not a review of the operation of this machine.

1) I had a lot of faith in, and respect for Porter-Cable and their products. Who would pack a heavy tool like this with a THIN piece of cardboard surrounding O-N-L-Y the sides of the tool, but without protecting the top or bottom??

2) I like shopping at Amazon. But this experience made me take two steps back.

3) I thought UPS' motto "What can brown do for you?" meant that they at least would do me a small favor and L-O-O-K at the box. There are graphics that clearly indicate which way U-P is. No sir, they just dropped this one upside down and bent the engine covers, and one of the tubes that the handle is supposed to snap into!!!

The following was added on 7/6/06:

4) After contacting Amazon's Customer Service, they shipped a replacement via FedEx, even before picking up the 1st one. This is definitely a plus in Amazon's favor!!

5) The washer itself worked very well at removing a lot of caked-in dirt on my 6-year old deck. I would give the machine at least 4-stars, but I cannot change the original 1-star I gave it.

Please, heed the warning about NOT starting the engine without having a running water supply. You can damage the pump that way. I wish the engineers at Porter-Cable would install a water-pressure sensor that would prevent the engine from starting in the absence of water at the intake.

This machine sells on Porter Cable's old reputation, but doesn't deserve it. It arrived in a crushed carton with lots of non-factory tape holding it together. We needed a sledge to straighten out the handle enough to mount it to the base. The pump, supposedly lubricated for life and never in need of topping off, leaks oil on whatever surface you've left the unit running on. Even with good water supply and an unextended pressure hose, the washer has bad fits of low pressure lapses.

This arrived via UPS, which repeatedly demonstrates that it can't handle packages of any significant weight. A friend received it and used it before I knew of the problems, otherwise it would have been a refused package. A big boo-hiss to Amazon for failing to attend to details and for using a carrier that can handle little stuff well but that is incompetent at freight shipping.

I bought this pressure washer last year and have given it a good work out. I think it is a great machine. It has plenty of power and the engine starts readily. I use it often to clean my garage, patio, sidewalk, car, boat, lawn tractor, vinyl siding, etc. It does an excellent job on all of them. The variety of nozzles that come with it make it very versitile and ensure that you aren't stripping paint off of or blowing holes in anything unless you really want to. And belive me, you can if you want to! I have not had the oil leakage that one of the other reviewers commented about. The only downsides to this machine that I see are that it has a tendency to surge for a few minutes while the pump is attempting to prime itself (be patient, it will eventually catch up and then run fine) and the hose that comes with it is pretty stiff and, at 25 feet, is a little short. I decided to buy a new hose rather than wressle with the old one. Unfortunately, a quality 50-foot hose is not cheap! If you are going to want a better hose or a longer hose, you may want to calculate it into the price. They can easily run $80.00 or more.

Just purchased the 2400hh at Costco. Tried it right away and was very impressed. No problems at start up or during use. I don't use pressure washers very often, but I can tell you that I have used a much more expensive Landa washer with a much higher hp rating and I could not tell much difference in performance. All the complaining about the oil fill is over-rated. I recommend this product, specially at this price point. Maintenance Supervisor in California.

After using the product for a number of weeks I am generally very satisfied with its performance. It appears that Karcher has addressed a number of the previous gripes. The tip holder now works great and the wand holder is not a problem. Adding oil is not a problem with the right funnel (your generic funnel won't work). I really like the 50' of hose, this feature with the accessories helped guide my decision. Honda engine runs flawlessly and is quieter than other Brigs or Techum engines. I don't know about the repairs available from a karcher service centers, however I was able to find several in my area by using Karchers web site. (In the event I need a repair) I was hesitant after reading the reviews about buying this but now I am glad I did.

I shopped Home Depot and BJ's comparing this washer with the Honda line Home Depot carries. For the price of $299. compared to $420. (Home depot model) you can not beat this machine. I ran it ALL day the first day I had it it works beautiful!! Plenty of power, and constant pressure. Spending another $ 100. for the "Home Depot" model would have been a waste! Good luck

I bought mine in July 2003 at Menards. I see you can still buy this model. I thought Karcher replaced it with a model with pneumatic tires. Been okay so far. You should shut the motor off if you're not spraying for more than a minute or so, even though Karcher says it has thermal protection for up to five minutes of unuse. A Karcher dealer told me I should put a water filter on it. I bungee corded a Culligan filter to it. I had to plumb the filter. I like quick-attach hose couplings for ease of use. I put auto coolant into the pump to protect it from freezing. The Karcher design is good, but this model is hard to push on loose gravel. I've found the Tecumseh engine to be good on this so far. I've got the same model of Tecumseh on an Ariens ST 622 string trimmer. Its engine is getting a lot of hard hours on it, and it's getting iffy....It uses too much oil. The rings must be bad. No power. It takes a long time to get warmed up. It's now shot. I think I'll try to avoid Tecumseh engines in the future.... Wipe the dipstick off and stick it back in and check the oil every time you use it or every 2-4 hours or so. Supposed to change oil every 25 hours. A Briggs or Honda might have a longer interval. If your water source supplies enough GPM to prevent pump cavitation, I recommend using a larger pressure washer which has a commercial-style pump. I use mine only 25 hours per year or less, so this should last me a long time. I recommend an extension hose. You can reach more without moving the pressure washer, and you can keep the pressure washer away from water in the air. I went through a couple of dud Apache Soap Turbo turbo nozzles before I bought a genuine Karcher Dirtblaster.

The Karcher G2301LT was my first purchase on Amazon.com. The machine arrived on time and was easy to assemble. It started on the very first pull and performed exceptionally well (and I'm not too mechanically inclined). It's been an ideal tool used for cleaning around our newly constructed home and for washing vehicles, with what seems to be just the right amount of water pressure to get the job done without damaging any surfaces.

Order was deliverd early and in excelent condition. I have used it on several occasions and am very pleased with the unit.

First I should point out I don't like these gas driven pressure washers. But with 110V electrical outlets you just cannot get the pressure you want. If I had 220V a electrical one would be sufficient for me. Anyway...
This pressure washer is not bad at all, but I find it way too noisy and if you leave it on flat surface while running it constantly moves. The vibrations makes it rotates and with those rubber soles underneath, you end up with some ugly marks on the concrete. Something you easily can wash away, but really annoying. I had to put the pressure washer in the grass or in the flowerbeds to make it stand put. Maybe Karcher should have added 20-30 lbs to the base?
The pneumatic tires are real nice, but not very strong. UPS ground doesn't treat their packages very nice and the tires are bent when you get you package. I had 3 machines arriving with bent tires(original + 2 replacements). If you buy this pressure washer online make sure you buy a rubber mallet. Trust me you need it. Knowing what I do today, I would have spent those $40 extra at OSH instead. Saves you a lot of trouble...

I received my first unit with some gas in the tank, some oil all over the inside of the box and a bad feeling that this was someones elses return. The replacement came the same way! I received a nice E Mail that the units are tested before shipping, this may be true, but if so they are also assembling the handles and then taking them apart as well. MIght be OK for a reconditioned unit, but I have yet to receive a new one.

This is the worst tool I have ever purchased -- Period. Customer service from Karcher is terrible, but at least the authorized service center has been helpful. Should you even be visiting a service center for a product used only twice?

You are led to believe this pressure washer carries a two year warranty; however, the pump is only warrantied for 90 days...and the pump is the sole source of problems you will likely encounter. Bottom line, I think I'll take the Honda engine off and make my son a go-cart with it.

The only good thing I have to say is that the unit arrived on the expected date, other than that, it's been terrible, first the top scews in the handle would'nt line up, had to screw in the top screws crooked, then after following all proper procedures for running, the unit just would'nt start, it has no primer button either,figuring it was new, I persisted on, I finally got it to start, then it would'nt stay started, and had no pressure, now the nightmare begins, amazon won't take it back, an oil and gas issue, had to call the manufacturer, was told he could'nt take it back either, they gave me the closest service center, folks, this is'nt a craftsman so be prepared for a drive, fortunately they we're polite and professional and offer to fix or replace the unit, 110 mile round trip into Houston at rush hour, should have bought a Craftsman.