Karcher, the world market leader in pressure washers as of 2013, offers an expansive lineup of more than 120 products. The company's power washers range from the modest K 2.150 to the fully featured K 5.540, and though most models run on electricity, Karcher also produces gas-powered machines. Due to this variety, your Karcher user's manual serves as the most reliable source for troubleshooting information. However, you can turn to some universal tips from the manufacturer to work through basic problems.
Find the appropriate categories of Karcher products. Karcher products sorted by category. Browse and choose what you need.
Simple Solutions
Pressure washer failures often have straightforward remedies. If your electric power washer won't start, hit the “Reset” button on your power outlet, if it has one, or check your fuse box for a tripped circuit breaker. For gas-powered models with nonstarting engines, slide the choke lever to the closed position and squeeze the sprayer trigger to release excess pressure before attempting to start the engine. If your Karcher sprayer leaks at the hose connection point, tighten the hose connection or replace the rubber washer with a fresh one of the same size.
Problems With Pressure
If your pressure washer lacks in the pressure department, first check the attached garden hose for kinks or leaks and make sure the hose's valve is turned completely open. If your hose is a bit small, hook your washer up to a garden hose with a wider diameter; Karcher recommends a hose with a diameter of at least 5/8 inch. Hand-tighten the hose at the point where it meets the body of the sprayer until it is airtight. Removing and cleaning your washer's filter also helps alleviate this issue. To clean the filter, rinse it with warm water to remove dirt and debris.
Servicing the Sprayer
Problems with the sprayer wand and gun lead to decreased pressure and an erratic stream. If you experience these problems, check the sprayer to ensure it is not set to the “Low” position. Inspect the tip of the sprayer nozzle for debris, and clear the debris by carefully blowing into the nozzle or digging the obstruction out with a needle. If you notice signs of calcification on the nozzle, remove the sprayer at the tube and run distilled vinegar through the tube and its wand and gun attachment. For a leaky sprayer, twist the long wand into the handle-like gun until you feel it lock firmly into position.
Contacting Karcher
Complex problems such as leaky pumps, oil leaks and broken 'O' rings require professional attention from Karcher. To find an authorized Karcher repair expert, use the service center locator at Karcher's official website, which also features a text and video knowledge base for common power washer problems. Karcher offers customer service at 1-800-537-4129. The company covers its lineup of pressure washers under a limited warranty, provided you register your product at the manufacturer's website upon purchase.
Resources (3)
About the Author
Dan Ketchum has been a professional writer since 2003, with work appearing online and offline in Word Riot, Bazooka Magazine, Anemone Sidecar, Trails and more. Dan's diverse professional background spans from costume design and screenwriting to mixology, manual labor and video game industry publicity.
Cite this Article