Pressure Washers Reviews

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!!

So far this has been a very portable and light unit. It does not clean as well as the Delta 1800psi washer I had, but I am happy with the job it does. I have used it to clean driveways, side walks, cars and RV's and very muddy dirt bikes. It works well on the cars and motorcycles but it is a little underpowered for the larger jobs. My only complaint is the hose does not have a swivel connector at the spray gun handle, and the hose is too short. I do like how easy it is to change pressure washer attachments.

If this unit had a good spray gun with a swivel connector, and the capability of expanding the hose, I would give it five stars,
as long as it does not quit working.

I recently purchased this item and it is GREAT! I washed 2 cars and cleaned a deck in a matter of a hour. It does a great job and would highly recommend it. Also the price is reasonable. I wanted the gas pressure washer but changed my mind and got this electric one because gas prices are so high I thought the electric model would benefit my money.

My grandkids gave me this machine for my birthday two weeks ago. I had never bothered with these things before. Seemed silly when a garden hose and a little elbow grease could do the job just as well. I thought it was for lazy people. Boy, was I wrong! I live in a hot steamy climate and the mold around the house can be a real problem. This machine cleaned the mold off in no time flat. I was impressed! Then I tackled our boat in the dry dock at the marina for repairs. I had years of brown colored mold and rust and other junk all over the bottom and sides. I usually treat it with bleach and scrub by hand-terrible job. The pressure washer took it all off and quickly. Even the areas I had to pre-treat took very little time to remove years of stains. It did a great job on the deck of the boat too. I have not gone after my driveway but that is next on my list. Shucks, maybe I'll do my neighbor's diveway while I am at it. Great product.

First off, I received an open-box item instead of a new one. There was a soapy residue all over the washer. When I hooked up this flimsy machine, the connection to the water gun was not working correctly. The instructions that come with it are lousy to say the least. The bonus car kit looks like something from a dollar store. I tried everything and the brass (or brass imitation) fitting was just no good. I cannot recommend this item at all. The nightmare returning it with UPS was even worse. It seems like a deal, but you're getting less than what you pay for on this one.

This is a great pressure washer for around the home or lighter duty. This is a great price, its easy to use and gets the job done. Consumers Report also had very good things to say about it.

I had an old pressure washer that died and needed a new one. Ever since my backhoe/trampolene/goat accident I can't lift much with my left arm - so this one was just right for my needs. It has a lot of neat attachments and is light weight - so my lazy wife can use it too. I put her to work on the roof and she almost blew herself off; coool!

Caution: Don't use it indoors pointed at someone - bad times, bad times !!!

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.

I bought this for my husband last Valentine's Day from Amazon.com. They sent me the wrong model 3 different times and when I finally found a phone number to call them they told me that the information and picture on the website was incorrect and that they were actually selling the K205M Model (Not Plus) which sits on the ground, Has no wheels or handle and it has only 2 attachments. I sent them ALL back and refuse to buy TOOLS from Amazon since. Needless to say I ended up buying the real K205M Plus from ... [another store] and I ended up paying less anyway!

As a female DIY enthusiast, I'm always looking for tools that are powerful, but not out of my weight class. I found the Karcher 205 pressure washer to be a powerful and easy to use cleaning tool. The manual is actually clearly written, which made the minimal assembly a quick job. I especialy like the tall wheels-and-handle arrangement, which allows for easy moving of the unit when in use--as well as convenient cord and accessory storage when not in use. Also, the spray wand rotates on the end of a good long hose, so I was able to carry the spray wand up the ladder to clean the gutters without having the drag the rest of the unit around with me. However, my favorite feature is the fact that the motor only activates when you engage the trigger on the spray wand, which lessens the noise factor. And, you don't have to worry about burning out the motor when you're not spraying, because there is a five minute "rest" period built in. Thus, you can take your time to reposition your ladder or yourself, while leaving both the motor and the water supply turned on. I have used this tool for a couple of jobs so far, and I can see where it will prove invaluable come Spring.

The only drawback, and this is very minor, is storing the unit. The manual is quite explicit that even after the unit is emptied of all water, the unit should not be stored in areas where temperatures drop below freezing, which elminates my garage and attic. However, since I am a real tool lover, I don't mind storing my Karcher 205 in the corner of the spare bedroom where I can admire it at my leisure!

I live in a townhouse. Rather then pay the homeowner association to do a poor job for $..., I bought this product. Works great. Mildew from the front courtyard was instantly removed. Did a wonderful job. No problems.

I ordered this power washer after weeks of research. Turns out I could save $100+ by ordering online rather than purchasing locally (after discounts and incentives). The first shipment never made it to me--damaged in transit by UPS. The second shipment arrived to me damaged--again by UPS--as the entire unit was tipped over and much of the pump oil had spilled all over the inside. After days of waiting for a resolution, I finally decided to just return the product, which Amazon.com accepted without arguing, but the return process was a hassle--have to empty all oil from unit then wait 7 days for evaporation before it can be safely shipped. So even after accepting the return, and my instruction not to send a replacement, Amazon.com sent another replacement unit--refused delivery of this one as I was very ticked off at Amazon.com. Turns out the problem is with their delivery carrier. It seems that UPS does not understand what "THIS SIDE UP" means. I finally purchased the unit at a local dealer without any headaches and am very happy with its performance. No problems after 3-4 weeks of use, 2-3 hours at a time--very powerful. I came to learn later that some of the newer models ship with a safety cap to prevent pump oil leakage--the safety cap must be exchanged with a relief valve upon receipt of the unit. My unit from Amazon.com did not come with such a safety cap. So you can take your chances with Amazon.com and hope you get one with a safety cap, because I guarantee that UPS will tip the box over in transit. I am rating this power washer 1 star because of the delivery problem; the unit itself is 5-star without question.

Like the other review my pressure washer when delivered was turned upside down and all the washer pump oil leaked all over in the box. I called briggs and stratton 1-800# and after speaking with a representitive, briggs and stratton sent a bottle of oil to me which arrived at my door step in two days free of charge.
Made sure all the oil was out of the pump and put the new oil into the pump and I was in buisness, as it works like a champ. I purchased some quick connectors for the hoses and I'm very pleased with the unit. Could not find one cheaper, the only bad thing is deliverly. UPS turns their boxes upside down reguardless what the box says. You would think when part of the box leaks oil and the odor of pump oil is like gear oil you would think they would get a clue.
I did advised briggs and stratton that the pump oil should be separate like the engine oil is.They stated they would look into it,,,ya right!,,what ever.
Just be careful if you order a pressure washer,,pump oil may have run out of it. Don't run the pump,, call B&S and they should help you out.

This pressure washer is a dandy. The OHV Briggs with AR pump and a sturdy well built cart, runs like a champ. Plenty of pressure, be careful it can blow the siding off your house. Amazon has the lowest price I've seen ,with free shipping what more could one ask for.

I had a horrible time with this pressure washer. The comet pump failed from the outset and had to be replaced. Taking it apart I recognized one of the design flaws immediately. The motor connection to the pump relies on a non-fixed 1/4 inch metal bar which can easily come loose and deny a firm grip on the shaft connecting motor with pump. I could never get the pump to reach pressure and the motor would continually kick off in 30 seconds after struggling to run, finally tripping the gfci. This is a serious design flaw.

The package arrived in 2 boxes. I was sort of surprised that I had to assemble the whole machine to the cart. I am not the hardware kind of person, but had to make trips to Home Depot and buy some tools and managed to put this thing together. The manual that came with leaves a lot to be desired. For the amount of money they are charging, I would have thought that they could atleast provide a nice color manual. Also, they could provide detailed instructions and some assembly tools. Regardless, the final product is excellent. Two pulls and the honda burst into life. In about a year, I will know how goos this pump is. New machines always work well.

This little guy is a great machine! I work on these types of pressure washers all the time, and I can throughly say that this is quite possibly one of the best washers on the market.
The Comet AXD pump is what really rocks. These are rock solid pumps with a very good service life. I have seen these pumps come in on other units. It sounds scary, but they actually come in because they are neglected and abused. They run low on oil because nobody monitors the pump's oil level. No leaks, just oil burning off from the heat of the pump. Eventually, the pump doesn't turn so well and the engine won't start anymore. (Which takes quite a while in most cases) But I've found nearly every time, all I have to do is refill the pump with oil, and it works perfect again! I can't say that about many of the other pumps that are out there! You could buy the model that's $50 less, but believe me. This is infinitely better than that model.
The engine is also really great. First off, you just can't beat a Honda, even in their less-expensive OHC engines such as this one. They build a great motor, as long as it is maintained well. Hondas are REAL finnicky when it comes to leaving gas in them. I would just recommend draining the gas out of it if you don't plan on using it for a month or more. You'll save yourself a real headache by just draining or running it out of gas.
They tell you that a mechanic can tell you the truth behind any product he sells or works with. Well, this mechanic believes this washer is worth every penny, and more...

Very good value, easy to set up and works well on small projects, or larger if you have the time because at 1300 psi its not very fast on large areas that need deep cleaning. If it fits your needs you can't beat the price.

It's easy to set up and works better than I thought it might since it is relatively small and portable.

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.