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[YZ250]

I seem to have a knack of killing pressure washers. I've killed off three Karchers in as many years and I only clean the patio and block paved driveway annually. I don't even use it to clean my cars. The first one (early K4) suffered a broken valve, which I replaced to give a new lease of life, but it eventually died on me. The other two (K6.91 & K7) have suffered a blown thing* (*electrical technical jargon) shown below. I always give them a rest after a few minutes but they still break.
I still have a newer K4 so we shall see how long that lasts before I break it. 

[Andy B]

just guessing  ..... but looks like a BIG capacitor No idea how you kill one though Allen 

[YZ250]

It's 85mm high X 45mm diameter, so yeah, quite big Andy.   

I think you're right about it being a capacitor. 

[Varche]

Stuff isnt designed to last anymore.

We had a Ryobi? Pressure washer. It ended up pulsing. Mrs V was determined to fix it and found a whizz on such problems on the internet. It wasnt repairable economically though I dare say The Repair Shop could have.

Traded up to a Karcher. That failed after only modest use but of course out of guarantee.

We now have a very secondhand “ Woolworths” pressure washer inherited from a relative. It works quite well but is noisy.

[YZ250]

Stuff isnt designed to last anymore.

We had a Ryobi? Pressure washer. It ended up pulsing. Mrs V was determined to fix it.......

When they stop pressurising, one reason can be the little 'basket' valve being broken. When the pressure builds up it slams the little valve shut to hold pressure but when it breaks you end up with pulsing as it can't maintain pressure. The valve cost me £11 a few years back and to be fair Karcher after sales were brilliant when I phoned them. The lady I spoke to even sent me an exploded view drawing to help identify the part. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

I have 2 pressure washers. 

A B&Q own brand which cost about £40, 16-17 years ago and it's still going strong.    And an Aldi own brand which I bought on impulse because it had all the attachments and cost about £85.  It's good, but I think the old one is more powerful. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

That's a motor start capacitor to get the induction motor turning, this is a good thing as it means the washer is of better quality and does not use a universal motor (with brushes).

Just fit a new one and all should be good again. 

[YZ250]

Thanks for that Mark, much appreciated.    At least I know what I'm asking for now lol. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

There should be some writing on the side with values for uF (capacitance), V (Voltage), oC (temperature) etc.

That's the key info needed to get a replacement

[YZ250]

There should be some writing on the side with values for uF (capacitance), V (Voltage), oC (temperature) etc.

That's the key info needed to get a replacement

OK thanks. All of the writing is clearly visible thankfully. 

[TheBoy]

The last pressure washer I had (K4) disappeared when heated to about 600C :

Its K5 replacement has been faultless, though probably a shade powerful, as it did take the paint off the car at full pelt.

[STEMO]

The last pressure washer I had (K4) disappeared when heated to about 600C :

Its K5 replacement has been faultless, though probably a shade powerful, as it did take the paint off the car at full pelt.

I did that on my first omega.

[YZ250]

Just to conclude this thread, both pressure washers up and running again after replacing the starter capacitor. Both fixed for under a tenner each so back to two spares again now. 

[Varche]

That is a good result