Kärcher or Devilbiss powewr washer?

[gb387]

What power washer would you choose? I am not going to use it all that much just around the house from time to time and take care of some things on my truck. I have to get it from sams club and this is what they carry.

I have this one now but need to exchange it since it is broke, have not used it yet.

5.5 HP Premium Honda GCV Engine
2500 PSI, 2.2 GPM
Quick connect spray wand
Maintenance-free pump
On-board accessory storage
25'x 1/4" high pressure hose
Four quick connect nozzles
$298


Or get this one?

Thermal pump protection device prevents pump from overheating
German engineered, Kärcher high performance direct-drive axial pump with brass pump head
Easy-to-start Tecumseh engine
Dirtblaster® Rotary Spray Nozzle included — increases cleaning power by up to 50% (compared to regular fan-jet nozzles)
Oversized 10” pneumatic tires for rugged terrain
Convenient holder for detergent siphoning tube and nozzles integrated into front panel
100 ft. hose reel (optional)
Ergonomic cage-type frame design protects hose from contact with hot muffler
Built-in detergent injection system
$308

[Accumulator]

FWIW, I've had three Karchers, two electric and one gas. They've all been maintenance nightmares, requiring constant service. While others swear by them, I'm usually swearing *at* mine.

[showtime]

It looks like the DeVilbiss has a Honda engine, you can't go wrong with them. I worked for a detail shop awhile back that had a Karcher extractor machine. It was great untill you had to special order a part from Germany.

[gb387]

I have added another one to the list... I have found some posts with many people not happy with the Honda powered one I got from Sams club. So here is another:

Excell 5 HP Honda Engine 2600 PSI Pressure Washer Model 165328 5 HP Honda GC (OHC) engine. Maintenance free pump. 2 Year Engine and 1 Year Pump Warranty. Area cleaned in 5 minutes: 40-45 sq. ft.

• Great for driveways
• 2600 PSI
• Gas powered
• heavy duty

Brand Excell
Manufacturer DeVilbiss Air Power Company
Model # 165328
Engine Make Honda
Engine Size 5 HP
MFG Name DeVilbiss Air Power Company
PSI 2600
$388

I am thinking it is 2.5 gpm, if I remember right.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Gb,

Can your Sam's Club obtain a pressure washer with the Honda GX engine? The reason I ask, I have a BE washer with the Honda GC engine. My only complaint with the GC engine is the noise. I have never had any trouble at all with it. And...after many many hours of use, I did an oil change and found the oil surprising clean! To me, that is a good sign!!!

The only trouble most people have with any pressure washer is starting it. You have to squeeze the wand with one hand and pull start the engine with the other. By releasing the water pressure, the engine will start easily!

Tim

[gb387]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey Gb,

Can your Sam's Club obtain a pressure washer with the Honda GX engine? The reason I ask, I have a BE washer with the Honda GC engine. My only complaint with the GC engine is the noise. I have never had any trouble at all with it. And...after many many hours of use, I did an oil change and found the oil surprising clean! To me, that is a good sign!!!

The only trouble most people have with any pressure washer is starting it. You have to squeeze the wand with one hand and pull start the engine with the other. By releasing the water pressure, the engine will start easily!

Tim

Thanks for the repies!

Tim... you say BE washer is there a link where I can look at one?

No there is no GX engine at Sams... Home Depot has one with a GX but its getting up in the price range.

Funny you mention the noise... My father has the Excell Power Washer (the one I posted last). I have used it a hand full of times and yes it is loud, looks like a Honda but doesn't sound like a Honda!

[gb387]

Here is the stats on Honda's GC engine: http://www.honda-engines.com/gc160.htm

Everything I read says its quiet but I too have found it not to be all that quiet.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey GB,

"Incredibly quiet"? I hate to see what they consider loud!
I have a Honda EU3000 watt generator that IS incredibly quiet, but my pressure washer is definitely not!

I bought my pressure washer a few years ago from Home Depot but can not find an internet link for you. But I would honestly urge you to consider the better GX engine. I may be trying to sell mine to buy the better GX engine myself as the GC noise combined with the pump noise does drive me nuts after a while!

Tim

[Weekend Detailer]

Hey GB,

I don't have a Karcher gas pressure washer, but I do have the electric. My choosing for the Karcher washer (gas or electric) was there ability to **** water from a water tank, bucket, or lake through use of a siphon accessory that Karcher has on there website. I am not sure if this feature was only available for Karcher washers or if other models offered this capability, but that was my reason for my purchase.

Additionally, I have seen some Karcher washers with Honda engines (if you prefer Honda). If I remember, Lowe's offered that particular model.

Anyhow, hopefully you find what your looking for. Good luck.

[rusty bumper]

Consumer Reports just came out with their picks for pressure washers...

Gas Powered model: Campbell Hausfeld PW 2200
$300.00

Electric Model: Campbell Hausfeld PW 1345
$90.00

[gb387]

Well I ended up with a power washer....

I looked just about everywhere, things that I have found looking over the Internet and other message boards with info posted on power washers. Of the three I closely looked at...

Pressure Wave (sams club $298) -
-Problems with the wands plastic trigger breaking
-Loud
-Quality Honda engine
-Easy to find parts (DeVilbiss Air Power Company)
-Some fittings were plastic, look easy to break and threaded hose

Kärcher (sams club $308) -
-Tecumseh not the best engine some have had problems
-Parts are hard to get/costly since they are a German company
-All brass fittings threaded hose

Excell (home depot $388) -
-Loud
-Quality Honda engine
-Easy to find parts (DeVilbiss Air Power Company)
-All brass fittings and quick connect hose

All are priced close the Pressure Wave on the low end at 298 and the Excell on the high end at $388. I ended up with the Excell, partly since my father has one that is 3 years old and still running strong. I also like the horizontal shaft engine... I priced some pumps only for the engine at Northern Tool and they run about $150 (for a good one) so in the future if the pump were to go out its easy to find another upgraded pump or parts from DeVilbiss.

Like 2hotford said it is loud but really the engine alone is not all that loud. It is fairly quiet running as long as the pump is primed and you are not spraying. Soon as you pull the trigger the pump kicks in and "clatters" away, let off the trigger and it quiets up. Maybe in the future I could change over to a oil type pump and quiet it down!?!? I still wish I could have found a GX Honda in the same price range but they tend to jump up in price.

Overall I am happy and it really does a good job, I have a nice clean garage floor and I peeled the paint off my front door in preparation for new paint.

[rusty bumper]

Did the Campbell Hausfeld come with a Honda engine?........Did you check it out?

[gb387]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
Did the Campbell Hausfeld come with a Honda engine?........Did you check it out?

It is powered by a briggs.

Pressure Washers Gasoline - Vertical Cart 6.0 Hp - Standard Duty 2200 Psi Gpm=2.5

There was one at Wal-Mart for somewhere around $300. After just a glance at it and moved on.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Gb,

Congrats on your purchase!! The Honda will serve you well for many years!!!


Tim

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey Gb,

Congrats on your purchase!! The Honda will serve you well for many years!!!


Tim

I think the next time I get a push mower, I'll go with a Honda engine.

My B & S engine has been aggravating to say the least.