Jetwash woes

[DaveDCB]

I have a decent Nilfisk jetwash, it started acting odd a while ago, wouldn’t knock off when trigger released so just kept running. Used it for 5 hrs straight the other week and it stopped dead so thought I’d call out a ‘pro’ to fix! I’m trying to employ more people to alleviate the work load these days!!
He came out and poked around, told me the motor is dead and can’t get them anymore(confirmed with another place motors are discontinued) so his only solution was buy a new one from him, quick though prices gone up and he’ll sell me at last months prices!!

I had 10 mins yesterday to have a look myself, replaced the 13a fuse and hey presto it fired up, did some Google’s and it points toward the unloader valve , I messed with that abit turning up and down and then the lance/hose wouldnt hold pressure when turned off - so I assume it is that which needs replacing/rebuilding?
Anyone familiar with such things?
Said jetwash is 9 yrs old and I’ve never had to touch it before, like brand new under the cover.
I’m mega pissed at the bloke for trying to scam me for 3k for a new one, even offered to take my old jetwash off my hands to ‘get it out of the way’!

 

[doobin]

name and shame!

Yes the unloader valve if it is on its way out it can cause the pressure to spike too high when you let go of the trigger. This will then stall the motor/blow the fuse.

Easy enough to replace. Pressure washers are very simple machines and can be repaired indefinitely. What does tend to kill them in terms of repair cost though is when a circuit board goes. So if you do replace the whole machine, stay away from nilfisk and karcher with their plastic shells and computers. Go for something like a cleanwell in a steel case. Much simpler.

Although to be honest, if you are using it for five hours straight you should do yourself a favour and look at petrol or three phase. 21l a minute ideally. Flow is what cleans- excess pressure just removes paint.

 

[DaveDCB]

I’ll have a word with him first , he has two options, fess up his silly mistake or intentional con or have some social media hell!

Generally I only wash off 1 or 2 machines at a time as and when they come back, hadn’t had much time last few months so quite a lot got washed off in one go, and the big mower took some getting clean after 8 months of use!

 

[Bri963]

X2 on Nilfisk and Karcher. Over-rated and unreliable. Three years ago we boughten a machine-mart petrol machine, only issue was we had to fit a big in-line filter to keep it running off a 1000 litre bowser. The local travelling community obviously thought it was a good bit of kit as well, as it disappeared sometime in June. We’ve now got a petrol Honda and it’s the best I’ve ever used.
The Karcher in the yard was fantastic for about six months, bought to replace a Nilfisk which was costing a fortune to keep running. Now The lances last about six months, float switches and pressure switches fail on a regular basis, it’s ongoing, and Karcher don’t seem to be able to get hold of parts. Last time it was in for four weeks for a prv.

 

[DaveDCB]

Parts are my issue, nilfisk released a new model, then kill off all parts on the older model! It’s crackers!
But for the sake of £65 in parts I’m not buying a new one until the motor actually fails!

 

[GazCro]

Parts are my issue, nilfisk released a new model, then kill off all parts on the older model! It’s crackers!
But for the sake of £65 in parts I’m not buying a new one until the motor actually fails!

That's why you avoid nilfisk etc with unique parts and plastic moulded housing which split.

 

[doobin]

X2 on Nilfisk and Karcher. Over-rated and unreliable. Three years ago we boughten a machine-mart petrol machine, only issue was we had to fit a big in-line filter to keep it running off a 1000 litre bowser. The local travelling community obviously thought it was a good bit of kit as well, as it disappeared sometime in June. We’ve now got a petrol Honda and it’s the best I’ve ever used.
The Karcher in the yard was fantastic for about six months, bought to replace a Nilfisk which was costing a fortune to keep running. Now The lances last about six months, float switches and pressure switches fail on a regular basis, it’s ongoing, and Karcher don’t seem to be able to get hold of parts. Last time it was in for four weeks for a prv.

A local farmer has had three in two years. The engines are OK but the pumps die and spares are unobtanium. He's too tight to buy a proper one though so more fool him.

Basically, whatever you buy should have a Honda or Honda copy engine (or decent 3 phase motor), and either Interpump (best) or Antonio Reverberri pump- spares for both are easily obtainable. Do the maintenance too- change the pump oil. Uses old school 30w motor oil with no detergents.

You'll never regret purchasing a decent 21l/min machine. It's night and day compared to 12l/min (the max obtainable at reasonable pressure from a single phase supply). Time is money! Yes, they will need a buffer tank, but for static use it's really no issue.

 

[DaveDCB]

That's why you avoid nilfisk etc with unique parts and plastic moulded housing which split.

Didn’t know that 9 years ago

 

[doobin]

Didn’t know that 9 years ago

Don't worry mate, we all learnt the hard way! As Brian said- they are totally overrated.

 

[GazCro]

Didn’t know that 9 years ago

You're not alone, pressure washers tbh are one of the biggest cons out there. Just a motor and a pump the other parts are just pressure regulation and safety valves. They are a very basic thing which doesn't need complicating with plastic parts and circuit boards

 

[Lancs Lad]

Dad Used to have a Kranzle years ago that was impressive little thing a really solid. Not sure if they still about.
Tbh our cold only 230v pro karcher at work has been ok but time will tell it's only 4 years old

On the flip side my old at home Makita badged thing is still limping along...cracking thing only had 1 new pump and new hose and lance etc trigger

 

[CPS]

Stick a picture up and we'll point you the right way

 

[V8Druid]

I had an Andrews, hot and cold, 1ph, 18l/min -- was a great washer and had it maybe 15 years 'fore i sold it in the clear out ... also ran on red .... had it at home for a little while, but couldn't keep up with the water demand, so it reluctantly went
when I got that out it was usually running all day

 

[DaveDCB]

Stick a picture up and we'll point you the right way

That’s what I’ve got

Nilfisk Neptune 4-28 X Hot Water Pressure Washer

Nilfisk Neptune 4-28 X Hot Water Pressure Washer 301003029

www.cleaningsuperstore.co.uk

 

[Giles]

we've got two big all singing dancing karcher diesel heated dual chemical tanks etc ones in the yard but I bought this and im really happy with it, so much more flow and pressure than the karchers

have a rotary paving cleaner for it and does a great job

Draper Expert Petrol Pressure Washer (13hp)

Expert quality, this petrol powered pressure washer from Draper is perfect for use where no mains power is available. Includes a heavy duty, Triplex brass pump head with pressure regulator, and 4 stroke petrol engine. This petrol pressure washer is supplied complete with a 10m high pressure...

www.toolstation.com

 

[CPS]

Did the motor stop dead when you let go of the trigger originally or keep running for about a minute and then stop?

At that age it most likely is the unloader valve, a replacement will also help the pressure as you'll be surprised how much it will have lost over time.

But it could be a pressure switch on the pump that is sticking etc depending in the type of set up.

Send a picture of the workings on the inside if you have one.

 

[Nick...]

Had several nilfisk and all been fine for a few years.had one shear shaft between pump and motor and another just stopped and engineer could not get into plastic housing.now got a kranzle that needs a big electric feed but so far so good.
nick...

 

[DaveDCB]

Did the motor stop dead when you let go of the trigger originally or keep running for about a minute and then stop?

At that age it most likely is the unloader valve, a replacement will also help the pressure as you'll be surprised how much it will have lost over time.

But it could be a pressure switch on the pump that is sticking etc depending in the type of set up.

Send a picture of the workings on the inside if you have one.

No the motor just kept on running when trigger let off, usually it knocks off after afew seconds.
Will grab some pics when I go into the workshop Monday morning

 

[V8Druid]

we've got two big all singing dancing archer diesel heated dual chemical tanks etc ones int eh yard but I bought this and im really happy with it, so much more flow and pressure than the karchers

have a rotary paving cleaner for it and does a great job

Draper Expert Petrol Pressure Washer (13hp)

Expert quality, this petrol powered pressure washer from Draper is perfect for use where no mains power is available. Includes a heavy duty, Triplex brass pump head with pressure regulator, and 4 stroke petrol engine. This petrol pressure washer is supplied complete with a 10m high pressure...

www.toolstation.com

what're those interchangeable nozzle lances like @Giles? .... see them on a lot of new washers.

 

[6feetdown]

I have a decent Nilfisk jetwash, it started acting odd a while ago, wouldn’t knock off when trigger released so just kept running. Used it for 5 hrs straight the other week and it stopped dead so thought I’d call out a ‘pro’ to fix! I’m trying to employ more people to alleviate the work load these days!!
He came out and poked around, told me the motor is dead and can’t get them anymore(confirmed with another place motors are discontinued) so his only solution was buy a new one from him, quick though prices gone up and he’ll sell me at last months prices!!

I had 10 mins yesterday to have a look myself, replaced the 13a fuse and hey presto it fired up, did some Google’s and it points toward the unloader valve , I messed with that abit turning up and down and then the lance/hose wouldnt hold pressure when turned off - so I assume it is that which needs replacing/rebuilding?
Anyone familiar with such things?
Said jetwash is 9 yrs old and I’ve never had to touch it before, like brand new under the cover.
I’m mega pissed at the bloke for trying to scam me for 3k for a new one, even offered to take my old jetwash off my hands to ‘get it out of the way’!

I've had issue yesterday with my hyundai petrol 1 yesterday. Changed plug no help, pulled to many times broken pull cord.
This morning replaced cord stripped carb and cleaned fresh petrol still won't run properly. As soon as you pull trigger cuts out and job to start again.
Dropping it to repair shop Monday 3hrs of my life wasted