Gas Engine Pressure Washers

[Grizzly]

I'm looking at purchasing a gas engine Pressure Washers at Costco. They have two, a Snap-On and a Honda. I want to replace an electric pressure washer, which is underpowered. I use it to wash mud from my driveway, sidewalks, truck, 5th wheel and whatever.



The Snap-On is rated at 3200 psi, 2. 6 gpm with a 7 hp gas engine. I don't know the brand of the engine. Not knowing the brand of the engine could mean that it's a chinese knock off, which may not be good. Price is $500.



The second is a Honda 2600 psi, 2. 3 gpm with a 5 hp Honda gas engine. Price is $330. The Honda is called a Powerstroke, which I don't like.



Any one have experience with either on these?



Thanks, george

 

[fox]

No, not really.

But I do have a honda that is 10 years old, I think the pressure is not as high as 2600, but this power washer still starts first or second pull, even after sitting most of the year---with old gas in it.

best little motor I have EVER HAD.

 

[rscurtis]

Keep in mind, AFAIK, Honda does not make pressure washers. Don't be fooled into thinking that since you see that Honda name that you are getting their quality, which is less than stellar on the OHC engines used on a lot of entry level equipment. Unless you are spending at least $1000 for a pressure washer, you're throwing your money away. Many of these cheap units are not designed to be repaired. Stick with a brand name like Alto or Mi-T-M. A belt drive machine is preferred over a direct drive.

 

[THerber]

My 2 cents worth here:



I have a gas powered one that I bought about 5 or 6 years ago, I would never buy another gas powered one. If you use one at least once every couple weeks or every month at minimum you might be ok, mine gets used maybe 6 times a year and with todays gasoline, everytime I get it out to use it I have pull the carb off and clean it all up to get it to run, I even keep stabil in the gas and it doesn't seem to help. Unless you have the need to use it where there is no A/C power, I would buy a good electric powered one.



Tim

 

[Bill Lins]

If you live near a small airport, put avgas in your pressure washer & other equipment you don't use frequently. Avgas is more expensive but doesn't varnish nearly as quickly as auto gas does.

 

[RobertHiltz]

Grizzly, Something to consider when sizing a pressure washer is your water supply. If you have city water you should have ample feed GPM and pressure. A 2. 5 GPM washer pump will require a supply capable of fillling a 5 gallon pail in less than 100 seconds. Kinda the same princple as our lift pumps on the Cummins. Is the washer brand Powerstroke or Powerhorse? I just bought a Powerhorse brand from Northern Tool and the engine appears to be a Chinese knockoff. These blue Powerhorse engines are commonly sold on ebay and they are not even close to Honda quality.

 

[Grizzly]

R Hiltz, Even though I live out in the county, I have 90 psi city water with great volume. I installed a pressure reducing valve for the water supply going into the house during construction. The Honda has "HONDA" in big letters and it does have a Honda 5 HP engine. In smaller letters it has, "POWERSTROKE" on the push cart handle bar.



The Snap-On does have a 3rd world country Chinese engine. I spoke to a Snap-On Rep. He said that they have a few repair shops around the country to get power tools fixed, if need be, but non yet in Albuquerque. Snap-On is brand new into the power tool business and not yet totally established. I believe I'd rather go with a proven name, like the Honda.



Thank you for all the replies. I'm considering all of them including Tim's AC suggestion. I just haven't seen a high pressure electric yet.



george

 

[THerber]

George,



Manufacturer of High Pressure Cleaning Systems



Here is a link to one of the best electric pressure washers made in my opinon, my dad has 2 of them, one he has had for 25 years and very little trouble with them. I think they are a bit spendy though, he gave $1000 for his 25 years ago so who knows what they are today.



Tim

 

[LRutigliano]

I'm looking at purchasing a gas engine Pressure Washers at Costco. They have two, a Snap-On and a Honda. I want to replace an electric pressure washer, which is underpowered. I use it to wash mud from my driveway, sidewalks, truck, 5th wheel and whatever.



The Snap-On is rated at 3200 psi, 2. 6 gpm with a 7 hp gas engine. I don't know the brand of the engine. Not knowing the brand of the engine could mean that it's a chinese knock off, which may not be good. Price is $500.



The second is a Honda 2600 psi, 2. 3 gpm with a 5 hp Honda gas engine. Price is $330. The Honda is called a Powerstroke, which I don't like.



Any one have experience with either on these?



Thanks, george

Hi George,



For the amount of pressure washing you are going to do, either of those will be 100% fine and a HUGE improvement over your electric pw. You are never going to do enough cleaning to wear out the motor or pump...



I have a Generac pw that was bought for me as a present in 1998. I use it twice a year for the front driveway and rear patio (approx 3000 sq ft total). All of my in-laws and some of my neighbors borrow it every year too. Its got a 7. 8hp Kohler motor and a pump from Italy and is rated at 2800 psi and 3. 6gpm. This is just adequate for my needs.



Its started every time and never had an issue. The most important thing to remember is to pump the water out of the pump internals after use by pulling on the engine start cord a few times when you are done. This prevents the pump internals from damage from frozen water.



Also, consider the wand quality and hose length. Longer is better so you don't have to keep moving the PW. Also consider that you will be dragging the hose over concrete and you want it to have a robust cover.



With a PW, bigger is always better. More PSI and more flow will allow you to finish quicker (on the order of 2x or more) 5hp is not enough. Consider a min of 8hp or 11hp...



Yo can always turn down the pressure or move the wand farther away from the surface, but not having enough power is very tiring...



Hope this helps,

Louis

 

[rscurtis]

My 2 cents worth here:



I have a gas powered one that I bought about 5 or 6 years ago, I would never buy another gas powered one. If you use one at least once every couple weeks or every month at minimum you might be ok, mine gets used maybe 6 times a year and with todays gasoline, everytime I get it out to use it I have pull the carb off and clean it all up to get it to run, I even keep stabil in the gas and it doesn't seem to help. Unless you have the need to use it where there is no A/C power, I would buy a good electric powered one.



Tim

Get into the habit of treating this like a snowblower. When you are finished using it, shut off the fuel valve and let the carburetor run out of fuel. Then, on the next re-start, your using the relatively fresh fuel from the tank. For longer dormant periods, drain the tank and fuel lines also. I used to do this when I had my tool rental business, and could store machines for years and start them immediately when needed.

 

[rscurtis]

It's also hard to fathom that Snap-on has gotten into this *****'s market. I guess tool sales aren't what they used to be.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

As mentioned earlier Honda has several lines of motors , but with Power washers the whole deal is the pump, One of the better ones is a Comet, made in Italy. One more word, If you live in a cold climate you must winterize them blow out the water or you will crack the pistons in the pump. And Costco takes everything back if you have trouble with it.

 

[Skydiver]

Correct, mickey. The pump is just as important as the engine. I researched a few years ago and found the blue colored "cat pump" to be the best. I own a 6 horse Honda with the cat pump and it never gives problems. I paid $500 for a display model. Retail was over $800 from HD.
-Flush your garden hose before attaching to remove spiders. Clean water is a must.
-add sta-bil to the gas when storing.
-never run it dry
-don't allow it to freeze
-And never loan it out.

 

[rscurtis]

The Cat pump is considered top of the line, and your last line is the best advice given on this thread. I've seen all the sob stories resulting from loaned or borrowed equipment.

 

[Grizzly]

Hi George,



For the amount of pressure washing you are going to do, either of those will be 100% fine and a HUGE improvement over your electric pw. You are never going to do enough cleaning to wear out the motor or pump...



I have a Generac pw that was bought for me as a present in 1998. I use it twice a year for the front driveway and rear patio (approx 3000 sq ft total). All of my in-laws and some of my neighbors borrow it every year too. Its got a 7. 8hp Kohler motor and a pump from Italy and is rated at 2800 psi and 3. 6gpm. This is just adequate for my needs.



Its started every time and never had an issue. The most important thing to remember is to pump the water out of the pump internals after use by pulling on the engine start cord a few times when you are done. This prevents the pump internals from damage from frozen water.



Also, consider the wand quality and hose length. Longer is better so you don't have to keep moving the PW. Also consider that you will be dragging the hose over concrete and you want it to have a robust cover.



With a PW, bigger is always better. More PSI and more flow will allow you to finish quicker (on the order of 2x or more) 5hp is not enough. Consider a min of 8hp or 11hp...



Yo can always turn down the pressure or move the wand farther away from the surface, but not having enough power is very tiring...



Hope this helps,

Louis

Thanks Louis,



I'll consider an 8 to 11 hp gas motor. Great advice. I don't like the possibility of all my relatives and neighbors borrowing it, which may happen anyway. My B-I-L still has my old electric.



I'll consider everything everyone said, except I do want a gas motor so that I don't have to haul an extension cord all over my 1/2 acre.



george

 

[Skydiver]

Grizzly, I don't know if you have used a large gas powered pressure washer very much. After a full tank of gas (60 minutes) through my 6 horse my arms feel like jello. Those large units need large muscles to operate. I know a larger pressure washer will clean faster, but it's like doing push ups holding the nozzle.
Trying to "one arm" a large pressure washer while cleaning a wall on a ladder can be dangerous. Been there done that.

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Skydiver, I'll keep that in mind, although I don't expect to be on a ladder cleaning walls. It's mostly cleaning under my truck, 5th wheel, driveway and sidewalks. We have a lot of clay, which can get very muddy when it rains. We also go fishing and camping in the high mountains on dirt and muddy roads.



My wife's from Alabama, Mobile that is.

 

[moser11]

My two cents... . I bought a honda 2800 psi (comet pump)..... sister inlaw borrowed it... . and well

i can buy a brand new one for the price of the pump... ..... dont lend it out..... words well spoken. keep the pump well maintained and should last forever... . great unit for driveways etc.

 

[Grizzly]

My two cents... . I bought a honda 2800 psi (comet pump)..... sister inlaw borrowed it... . and well

i can buy a brand new one for the price of the pump... ..... dont lend it out..... words well spoken. keep the pump well maintained and should last forever... . great unit for driveways etc.

I hear you on loaning power tool out. I've had bad experience with two rototillers and a lawn mower. I won't loan out my gas engine power tools any more. I tell them to go to the rental place.

 

[Wingate]

I had a C/H with a Honda engine that came from Tractor Supply. Went thru two of them while it was under warranty(pump failures). After the warranty was out, the pump failed again.

I now have a a "Black Max" from Sam's... . Has a Honda engine also... Its been great... One thing I was told by the repair shop that worked on the previous one was to look for one that has a pump housing made from a brass alloy. . not the all aluminum version. . My new washer has a pump made of brass.



Oh, and X2 on the NOT loaning out stuff... I don't loan out ANYTHING anymore...