I have this machine. It's a good washer. I've had it 3 years so far and never used any special fuel. Just normal 87 octane from Walmart. Mine has never been a 1-pull start engine like my other Honda's...this one is a bit more temperamental. The only minor annoyance is that because of that behavior, the pump charges the hose each pull, making the engine harder and harder to pull. You have to squeeze the trigger of the sprayer after about 3 pulls to release the pressure. Its really pretty rare that this is an issue, I just bring it up because it is really the only "non-standard" thing about this PW I've experienced.
There you go.... great advice for one that does not start on the 1st to 3rd pull and feeling harder and harder to pull.... release the built up pressure on the spray hose. I forgot all about that happening.... you know your pump is good and easily primes. After a couple hundred hours of wear and tear, that should not be a problem....
So the situation is that unit does not start if left for 2 months or so, with fuel in the tank. There does not seem to be a fuel shutoff. So I guess the fuel needs to be drained off. Seems like a pain to do every time, since I use this thing to wash the driveway and other concrete stuff and deck a couple of times in a year.
You are 100 percent right. Don't know anything about engines. Lugging this thing to a repair shop in the trunk of my Audi is a pain. Makes my car smell
Of gas. The repair guy charges around 100 with tax to get it working. Seems like it's a carburetor issue, as you mention? Seems like someone can make a lot of money by making this part "me" proof and let my machine work when I want it to.
I should be more tactful at times, but something is not right.... That thing should start with ethanol or non-ethanol gas after sitting for 2 or 3 months with no problem. If you have the Honda model, between the gas tank and the fuel pump[ebayimg.com] (image to show what it looks like) there is a hose that should have a fuel filter[msecnd.net] (#4) that does catch any water or debris in the gas and is a maintenance item. If there is no shut off on your fuel tank, in that same hose with the filter, you could put in a shut off valve like this one[amazon.com] with clamps to turn off the fuel to pump and run until the carburetor bowl is empty before storage.
Or, just gently remove the bolt #6 in this image[boats.net] and drain the carburetor bowl before storage and see if that helps. Counterclockwise, it comes right out and don't lose the seal #1. Reinstall in reverse and just snug tighten. #3 is the actual carburetor fuel bowl that will come off if you are bit vigorous, so hold it in place from dropping down.... not a big deal, but so you know. You are going to drain less than 1/4 cup of gas out.
I don't really believe that fuel is your issue, but if it is, that will resolve it during storage. Now, if this has happened multiple times, I could believe you could use a different small engine mechanic.... and one that will explain to you any issues so not repeated.
Worth the extra cost to buy separate quick connections rather than have a dedicated pressure washer hose, or have to keep adding/removing "quick" fittings
Thanks for that heads up. I'll just buy those and use them.
What is making people buy this at the moment when there are 3000psi electric pressure washers available. I personally don't see the point of maintaining a small engine for something that I will use 4-5 times in a year
What is making people buy this at the moment when there are 3000psi electric pressure washers available. I personally don't see the point of maintaining a small engine for something that I will use 4-5 times in a year
Several reasons:
The biggest benefit is mobility, being able to take it wherever you want without being tied to an extension cord being plugged into an outlet (which are cumbersome and expensive for long lengths to handle 15A loads), and if it's not a proper water rated one you have the potential of tripping a GFCI outlet.
Electrics are typically half the GPM of gas powered ones.
The failure modes on a gas engine are usually user/shop serviceable, vs. just tossing an electric one in the garbage.
Most electric ones claim "up to XX PSI" but won't consistently deliver that pressure.
Electric ones are great for light use, but they have their limitations.
What is making people buy this at the moment when there are 3000psi electric pressure washers available. I personally don't see the point of maintaining a small engine for something that I will use 4-5 times in a year
You can't pump 2.4 gpm at 3000psi with standard household current.
I don't know about that one, Jeff.... a pretty good selection from just Amazon that do.[amazon.com] Not certain of their quality, but starting at about $120[amazon.com], they are cheap. My neighbor has a 3000psi electric Sun Joe (not sure of the gpm) that does well.
I don't know about that one, Jeff.... a pretty good selection from just Amazon that do.[amazon.com] Not certain of their quality, but starting at about $120[amazon.com], they are cheap. My neighbor has a 3000psi electric Sun Joe (not sure of the gpm) that does well.
If you look at the specs, that SUNCOO is actually 2200psi and 1.8gpm
The 3000psi is with low flow and the 2.4gpm is with low pressure.
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LMAO! Thats classic
Only good until today the 14th
You are 100 percent right. Don't know anything about engines. Lugging this thing to a repair shop in the trunk of my Audi is a pain. Makes my car smell
Of gas. The repair guy charges around 100 with tax to get it working. Seems like it's a carburetor issue, as you mention? Seems like someone can make a lot of money by making this part "me" proof and let my machine work when I want it to.
Or, just gently remove the bolt #6 in this image [boats.net] and drain the carburetor bowl before storage and see if that helps. Counterclockwise, it comes right out and don't lose the seal #1. Reinstall in reverse and just snug tighten. #3 is the actual carburetor fuel bowl that will come off if you are bit vigorous, so hold it in place from dropping down.... not a big deal, but so you know. You are going to drain less than 1/4 cup of gas out.
I don't really believe that fuel is your issue, but if it is, that will resolve it during storage. Now, if this has happened multiple times, I could believe you could use a different small engine mechanic.... and one that will explain to you any issues so not repeated.
Sticking with harbor freight kit for the hose then
https://www.harborfreig
Worth the extra cost to buy separate quick connections rather than have a dedicated pressure washer hose, or have to keep adding/removing "quick" fittings
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The biggest benefit is mobility, being able to take it wherever you want without being tied to an extension cord being plugged into an outlet (which are cumbersome and expensive for long lengths to handle 15A loads), and if it's not a proper water rated one you have the potential of tripping a GFCI outlet.
Electrics are typically half the GPM of gas powered ones.
The failure modes on a gas engine are usually user/shop serviceable, vs. just tossing an electric one in the garbage.
Most electric ones claim "up to XX PSI" but won't consistently deliver that pressure.
Electric ones are great for light use, but they have their limitations.
This 220v model will do it, but at a cost of $1200: https://www.northerntoo
This 220v model will do it, but at a cost of $1200: https://www.northerntool.com/shop..._200888194 [northerntool.com]
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The 3000psi is with low flow and the 2.4gpm is with low pressure.
Edit: To change "no" to "low"