Jul 5, 2017 - Learn how to troubleshoot, diagnose and fix pressure washer problems. Pressure Washer Troubleshooting Tips for Beginners. Honda or Briggs engine) and Briggs makes them in their factories. Karcher makes all types/styles of pressure washers through their own brand and subsidiary brands. DEWALT pressure washers deliver high performance and maximum DEWALT pressure washers deliver high performance and maximum power straight from the box. They are great for cleaning equipment wood structures driveways and vinyl siding. Ideal for mid to heavy portable power washing needs.

You must know the model number for your Honda engine in order to get the owner's manual. To find the model number, look for a model number sticker on the engine. All Honda engines model numbers start with the letter 'G,' such as 'G100', 'GX610', or 'GXV160.' For some engines, you will also need to locate the serial number, which is stamped into the side of the engine.

Click on the model number below to find the correct owner's manual for your particular engine. Honda is continually updating its online library; so if the owner's manual that you are looking for is not currently shown, check back soon. In order to view and print Honda Owner’s Manuals, your computer must have Adobe Acrobat Reader software (4.0 or later version) installed. If you don't have this software, it is available free here.

Honda Engine Manual GX Series. (Serial Number GC to GCAE-1156170). (Serial Number GC to Forward and GCABT-1000001 to Forward). (Serial Number GCAB-1000001 to GCAB-1033679). (Serial Number GCAB-1033680 to Forward).

(Serial Number GCAA-2000001 to GCAA-2042138). (Serial Number GCAA-2042139 to Forward and GCAET-1000001 to Forward). (Serial Number GCAD-1000001 to GGCAD-1999999).

(Serial Number GCAD-2000001 to Forward). (Serial Number GCBEK-10999). (Serial Number GCBEK-10999). (Serial Number GDABK-10999). (Serial Number GCAM-1000001 to Forward). Interchangeable Tips Your machine is supplied with either interchangeable tips or a multi-reg. Your machine is supplied with interchangeable spray tips.

The black tip lowers your pressure and draws chemical. The other tips are for high pressure rinse at different spray angles. Red is 0 degree, yellow is 15 degree, green is 25 degree and white is 40 degree. The yellow tip is used for most standard applications. Be sure the quick coupler is fully engaged before pulling the trigger gun. Failure to do may result in the tip becoming a projectile and may be lost or damage to property or persons may occur.

See the table to for your machine. Chemical injector use with interchangeable tips Your pressure washer is supplied with a downstream chemical injector. The 1/4” clear vinyl tube is to be inserted into the desired chemical to apply. Be sure to use the black, low pressure nozzle to inject chemical. The chemical injector will only open up and allow chemical into the line when this tip is used.

This tip enables the pressure to drop to approximately 250 PSI to draw chemical. The injector can be shut on and off or the rate of injection can also be set by turning the knob that the clear vinyl tube attaches to. See calibration below. Be sure to flush injection system with clear water after use. Multi-Reg (Adjustable) Tip If your machine is supplied with an adjustable tip, the spray pattern can be changed by rotating the outer shell of the nozzle. The nozzle also will move forward and backward.

The nozzle must be pulled back toward the gun for high pressure rinse. When the nozzle is moved forward you will have low pressure and the soap injector will start to draw chemical. Chemical injector use with multi-reg tip Move the outer shell of your tip forward(away from the gun). This will lower your pressure and allow the injector to start to draw chemical. Chemical will only be drawn in the low pressure setting. Pull nozzle back for high pressure rinse.

Calibration If an accurate injection rate is desired, use this formula: (GPM x 128) ÷ (ounces drawn in 1 minute) = x:1 IE: If a 2.0 GPM machine draws 8 ounces of chemical in 1 minute: (2 x 128) / 8 = 32:1 Hoses and couplers Factory supplied hoses are sized in length and diameter for best operational performance and sized within the pressure capabilities. Additional hose added to the machine may change the performance of the machine. Consult factory if you have any questions. When replacing or disconnecting the quick couplers be sure the machine is shut off and relieve the pressure from all hoses.

Karcher Pressure Washer 3000 Psi Honda Gc190 Engine Manual

Honda has come a long way since its early days supplying piston rings to Toyota. In fact, in 2016, Forbes ranked Honda Motor Company the 23rd most valuable brand in the world with a brand value of $25.2B. Vision of the Honda red engine on power products is often all the convincing we need the product is reliable, good quality and great value. For this reason, 51 power equipment companies choose to power their equipment And in total, 16 choose Honda small engines to power their pressure washers. It’s interesting to note: Honda doesn’t make their own brand of pressure washer for sale outside of Japan. Their American Power Products Division instead focus on small engines, lawn mowers, generators, water pumps, tillers and snow blowers.

Here you will find the 7 best Honda powered pressure washers, some interesting facts about Honda and why brands choose Honda engines instead of other like Briggs & Stratton, Subaru, Kawasaki or Kohler. Quickly Jump To These Sections:. Quick Look at The 7 Best Honda Engine Pressure Washers Click the picture or model link to see full specs and best price. Picture (Links to Amazon.com Page) Model (Links to Amazon.com Page) Honda Engine Use GC190 Residential GC190 Residential GC390 Residential GCV190 Residential GX200 Commercial GX270 Commercial GX390 Commercial Before we look in-depth at the let’s step back and look at Honda overall. First some interesting history, then a look at Honda’s brand power. 10 Interesting Facts About Honda Motor Company’s Rise.

Soichiro Honda’s early life included assisting his father in the family bicycle repairs business and then becoming a full time garage in Tokyo at the age of 15. Soichiro avoided military service because he was diagnosed color blind.

At 21, after 6 years work as a mechanic in Tokyo, Soichiro returned to his hometown to start his own auto repair business. When Soichiro Honda was in his early 30s, he decided to form a manufacturing business (moving away from repair work) to supply piston rings to Toyota. During World War II he helped automate processes at factories of Toyota, Japanese Navy and Nakajima Aircraft to help the war effort. During this time he met and became friends with many senior executives in Japan.

It wasn’t till he was 41 (in September, 1948) that he formally established Honda Motor Company with 1 million yen, which is roughly equivalent to $150,000 USD in 2015. The goal was to be the best motorcycle maker in the world. In 1959, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. Founded with $250,000 investment and 3 employees.

It was the first international expansion for Honda. Honda (a motorcycle and engine company at its heart) moved into these markets as the company grew. Honda has released their own brand of pressure washer in Japan. Shown are the latest model, released in 2008 – the WSX1513 and WSX1010. Tiller market in 1959. Cars in 1962.

Marine outboard engines in 1964. Electric generators in 1965. Water pumps in 1976. Lawn mowers in 1978.

Snow throwers in 1980. Ride on mowers in 1985. Pressure washers in 1986. Tractors in 1988. In 1986 Honda began exporting soybeans from Ohio to Japan as a way to cover the costs returning their auto parts containers. The soybeans are used to make soy sauce and tofu in Japan. Then Honda would fill the containers with auto parts for delivery to their American car assembly plants.

In 2003 Honda launched a commercial to promote its 7th-generation Accord Euro that has been called the best commercial of all time. “Cog” as the advertisement is called has received than any other commercial in history.

Watch the most awarded commercial of all time: Honda – The Cog This commercial cost the equivalent of $15 million US to make and promote. What do you think, a success? It was a huge success and brought more traffic to the Honda website the day the commercial first aired than all other competing car brand websites in that entire month, combined. It also drove over 10,000 purchase inquiries for the Honda Accord it was promoting.

Honda does advertising right. The Power of Honda Branding Pressure washer companies choose Honda engines because it instantly makes their product reliable, durable and great value because Honda has impressed us (brainwashed?) for 50+ years. It feels like second nature to assume best in class when you see their logo and iconic red on a power product. But are they best in class? (We’ll explore that in the Honda vs. Other small engines category below) Here are some early advertisements American Honda Motor Company ran in Popular Mechanics. You don’t see copywriting like this anymore.

From Popular Mechanics, May 1962 From Popular Mechanics, April 1978 From Popular Mechanics, April 1988 All 3 of these adverts are subtle yet powerful. The images and headlines draw you in. The first sentence gets you reading and you keep reading more learning about each Honda product like it’s a story. Honda has always had powerful branding – mainly because they know who they are talking to. Honda’s Target Market Honda targets middle income families and up. They have different models of each motorcycle, car, boat motor, mower, etc but the gist is they target the people with middle income and up. Timeline of American Honda Motor Co’s Ad Budget, Honda’s ad budget rocketed from $250,000 in 1961 to over a $1 billion in 2003.

Here’s how it went:. 1961: $240,000 (motorcycles ad budget). 1963: $2.18 million (motorcycles). 1972: $2 million (cars ad budget).

1986: $24.5 million (cars). 1988: $75 million (motorcycles). 1990: $100 million (cars). 1994: $500 million (Total United States ad budget). 2003 – Present: $1 billion+ annually And to move closer to present day According to, between 2007 and 2015, Honda advertising spend in the United States peaked in 2012 at $1.33 billion and was lowest in 2009 at $950 million.

So the red trend line in the graph has now gone flat, or you might say Honda’s ad budget has reached maturity. The point of all this ad spend? Honda spends this much money to skilfully control their brand image and reputation.

Company Focus on Brand Image “Honda’s brand adds value to your product, instantly.” That is the very first thing it says on Honda’s page telling manufacturers why they should choose Honda small engine to power their products. Honda knows their business is dependent on their reputation of quality and reliability. They won’t risk losing credibility and will quickly issue recalls when required One of main risk factors listed in is: “Honda success depends in part of the value of its brand image, which could be diminished by product defects One of the important factors behind corporate sustainability is trust and support for the Honda brand from our customers, society and the communities in which Honda conducts business operations. With respect to the quality of our products, which serves as the pillar of our brand image if for some unforeseeable reason a product defect does occur, from the standpoint of assuring the safety and security of our customers, it is possible that Honda will issue a recall Honda brand image could be damaged ”. Two Fun Facts About Honda Colors Iconic Red Honda has used their iconic red ever since they advertized their 1952 motorized bike as the bike with “the red engine”. And then in 1959, their first tiller, the F150, was released painted fully red. At the time it was unheard of to paint agricultural equipment – let alone paint it red.

It was hugely popular. And it became known that Honda was the company that made the red reliable products. A few years later, when Honda was designing their new portable generator for young outdoor enthusiasts, they decided to paint it fully Honda red.

It became a bestseller and further cemented Honda as the red power products company. Sparkling Silver There is a product niche where Honda is not known for red. In the marine industry, Honda are known for their silver outboard motors.

In addition to the color, Honda outboards have a unique shape and design. Masayuki Ohsumi was tasked with the redesign of Honda’s outboard in the late 1980s. He traveled to many marina’s in the U.S.

Looking for inspiration. He ended up with an idea for a design the mimicked dolphins at play. As you can see in the picture it is curvy and streamlined unlike the square shape original Honda design. The color of silver came to Masayuki when looking at photo from his trip. There was one of his silver Honda Accord that looked gold with the sun reflecting off it. He realized that silver accented perfectly with the blue ocean and bright sun while out at sea. Honda Small Engine Styles Powering Pressure Washers Image from Honda small engine brochure Honda makes small engines with displacement from 25cc to 688cc for power products as small as water pumps up to vehicles like dune buggies and tractors.

Pressure washers fall in the middle with common engines being in the range of 160cc to 390cc. All of which are.

Let’s look at the differences between the engines seen on Honda powered power washers and what the engines look like. 6 Main Differences: Honda GC (Residential) vs. Honda GX Series (Commercial) Small Engines There are more than 5 differences between the GC and GX Honda engine series. The gist is GC is for residential use – meaning not everyday all-day use. The GX is a engine designed specifically for everyday all-day use on the job site or in a capacity.

The warranties of the engines reflect this fact with the GX carrying a 3 year commercial use warranty. If you use the GC in a commercial capacity the warranty goes to 3 months. Cylinder sleeve: GC has aluminium cylinder sleeve and GX has cast iron. Aluminium is lighter but cast iron will last longer because it is harder and better resists the piston ring wear. Low oil protection: The GX will automatically sense and shutoff the engine when it detects low oil.

The GC you need to check each use to make sure enough is there. Fuel shutoff valve: GX yes, GC no.

A fuel shutoff valve allows you to properly run fuel out of the system for storage and if you have to remove the carb. Without the shutoff valve, a small amount of fuel will remain which can cause damage over time to the carb (also will cause smell in storage area from evaporating gas). Material used: GC has plastic fuel tank and many plastic casing and parts. The GX has all steel. On/off switch: GX has a direct on/off switch allowing fuel to be drained from carburetor.

The GC’s on/off is designed into the throttle control (can’t drain the fuel from the carb but you have a simpler operation with one step removed). OHC/OHV: All GX engines seen on power washers are pushrod overhead valve (OHV).

All the GC ones are overhead camshaft (OHC). Both these engines produce the same power.

OHV offers a smaller, lighter and more compact engine for the power that’s required by industrial high flow rate triplex plunger pumps. OHV’s main disadvantage (bad at high RPM) isn’t brought into question in commercial use pressure cleaners because operate at low RPMs (as they have 1 crankshaft powering 3 plungers). OHC’s increased size and weight doesn’t matter in the GC engines because the largest GC engine is 190cc (residential power washers are lower PSI and GPM and use axial not triplex pumps). OHC is better at high RPMs and the more affordable lesser flow rate pumps used in residential pressure cleaners operate at high RPMs. Now let’s see these engines in practice: The Residential Use Engine Honda offers 4 residential use engines (2 types and 2 sizes):.

GC (160 / 190cc) – Horizontal shaft. Larger fuel tank (2x). Most popular in the larger wheelbarrow style power cleaners. GCV (160 / 190cc) – Vertical shaft.

Mostly used in the smaller footprint upright style models. The Heavy Use Commercial Engine All the Honda ‘GX’ series engines feature much larger fuel tanks than the residential counterparts.

There are 3 types and sizes ranging from 25cc to 690cc:. GX (25, 35, 50, 100, 120, 160, 200, 240, 270, 340, 390, 630, 660 and 690cc) – Horizontal shaft. Wide selection of sizes. GX390 and GX630 are very popular among power washing contractors. GXV (50, 160, 340, 390, 630, 690cc) – Vertical shaft. iGX (340, 390cc) – Horizontal shaft.

Designation ‘i’ is self tuning regulator to adjust RPMs to requirements. Most expensive series. Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Subaru and Kawasaki Small Engines All these companies make several small engine types and sizes.

To compare, similar size and function engines will be looked at and these 3 things will be discussed:. Dealer and support network density. We want local support when needed. Engine design and engineering. We want it to start first try, even in the winter. And not require daily maintenance and fiddling to get it to work. We want top value.

We’ll use for prices. Honda GC190 vs. Kohler RH255 – Residential Series. Kohler RH series engine on a Simpson pressure washer Support Both Honda and have extensive support network density in the USA. After checking 5 towns with populations 40k – 80k, both have 4+ tool shops to take your engine for repair, service or warranty. Small town repair shops are usually authorized to provide support for all of the main engines: Honda, Kohler, Briggs, Subaru and Kawasaki.

Engine Specs. Honda GC190 (OHC):. Displacement = 187cc. Power = 5.2 HP (@ 3,600 rpm). Torque = 8.3 lb-ft. Weight = 29 lbs. Kohler RH255 (OHV):.

Displacement = 196cc. Power = 5.5 HP (@ 3,600 rpm).

Torque = 10.5 lb-ft. Weight = 28.8 lbs Kohler has noteworthy more torque.

Both are residential series not designed for extensive daily use. Price. Honda $250. Kohler $200 Summary Kohler has a reputation of starting better than Honda in cold weather. However, for every 10 people who claim Kohler starts better in cold, you’ll have 10 more who believe Honda does. And no one can verify with actual data. As mentioned above both these engines are not designed for commercial use.

Slight edge to Kohler on this one because it has more grunt, is cheaper and has equivalent support to Honda in most areas. However, in the pressure washer industry you will see more than ten models of machine with the Honda GC190 (and only 2 with the Kohler) so Honda gets the edge if we step back and look at power washers instead of solely engines. Honda GC160 vs. Briggs & Stratton 750CR – Residential. Briggs and Stratton vertical shaft series engine on pressure washer Support than Honda. Big cities have plenty of options and small town tool shops are always authorized in repair and warranty of all the big brand engines. Engine Specs.

Honda GC160 (OHC):. Displacement = 160cc. Power = 4.6 HP (@ 3,600 rpm).

Torque = 6.9 lb-ft. Weight = 25.4 lbs.

Briggs & Stratton 750CR (OHV):. Displacement = 163cc. Power = 5.1 HP (@ 3,600 rpm). Torque = 7.5 lb-ft. Weight = 33 lbs The Briggs has more grunt than the Honda because it is OHV design. Honda is quieter and better on fuel.

Both have forged crankshaft for increased strength over cast parts. The Briggs has a superior cast iron cylinder sleeve for improved wear resistance. The Honda GC series has inferior aluminium sleeve. Honda has OHC design for improved performed at higher revs. On paper the Briggs engine is winning so far.

Price. Honda $195. Briggs & Stratton $220 Summary Briggs & Stratton produces more small engines than Honda each year. In terms of revenue from small engines Briggs makes an estimated $100 – $250 million more a year from their small engine sales.

Briggs have a great engine design and Honda’s are also great. And at this category Honda can offer a more affordable, lighter machine with comparable specs. There was also overwhelming consensus this Honda runs smoother and starts better from cold than this Briggs. The argument of Honda vs.

Briggs & Stratton will never have a definitive answer as you will hear endless arguments from both sides. I’d give Briggs the slight edge in the GC160 vs. 750CR category based off the fact the price difference is negligible, Briggs has cast iron cylinder sleeve and it has more grunt (which is nice to have at 160cc). Honda GX160 vs.

Subaru EX17 – Commercial Series. Subaru EX17 engine on Campbell Hausfeld 2,600 PSI pressure washer Support are present in all but the tiniest of towns.

So no worries for 95% of owners. However, Subaru does not have the support network density of Honda in sparse areas. ( Update: Subaru Power Products division acquired by Yamaha in December 2016. All Subaru small engines will be supported by Yamaha dealers) Engine Specs. Honda GX160 (OHV):.

Displacement = 163cc. Power = 4.8 HP (@ 3,600 rpm). Torque = 7.6 lb-ft. Weight = 33 lbs. Subaru EX17 (OHC):. Displacement = 169cc.

Power = 5.7 HP (@ 4,000 rpm). Torque = 8.1 lb-ft. Weight = 33 lbs These commercial grade small engines are both popular for use in industrial pumps, generators and pressure washers. Both have industrial grade parts as they are meant for extensive daily use. Price. Honda $397. Subaru $379 Summary Both engines are comparable in all categories except you’ll probably find better support for the Honda even considering Subaru small engines are now supported by Yamaha.

During Subaru’s Power Products Division transition to Yamaha the Honda GX is the better option. Honda GX660 vs. Kawasaki FX651V – Commercial Series.

Kawasaki FX651V commercial series engine Support Checking locations in 7 small towns shows it to be very similar to Subaru and less than Honda, Briggs and Kohler in support network density. However, no issues for 95% of owners. Engine Specs. Honda GX660 (OHV):. Displacement = 688cc.

Power = 21.5 HP (@ 3,600 rpm). Torque = 35.6 lb-ft. Weight = 97 lbs. Kawasaki FX651V (OHV):. Displacement = 726cc.

Power = 20.5 HP (@ 3,600 rpm). Torque = 39 lb-ft. Weight = 101.4 lbs Both of these engines are top spec with commercial grade parts from each brand. Price. Honda $1,375. Kawasaki $1,557 Summary Kawasaki’s smallest small engine is 15 HP.

The FX651V shown here is most used on zero-turn mowers. You can’t go wrong with a Honda GX commercial engine, especially considering you’ll save $200 vs. The Kawasaki.

7 Best Honda Powered Pressure Washers First you’ll see the 4 best residential consumer machines and then the 3 top commercial ones. Residential use – Make quick work of your home outdoor cleaning chores The most popular Honda powered pressure washer is this Simpson Cleaning Megashot powered by the Honda GC190 engine. It has 3,100 PSI at 2.5 GPM making it perfect for your home outdoor cleaning needs.

And it’ll make, truck, and a breeze. The Honda engine is powering an axial cam pump, which is the most common pump type for residential pressure cleaners. If you are in the market for a reliable and affordable home-use machine then this is your best bet.

PowerStroke is a brand owned by Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited. The same company owns Ryobi, Homelite, Milwaukee, Hoover and Dirt Devil brands and is operated out of Hong Kong. They offer the same power washer with Honda, Briggs & Stratton and Subaru small engines. Strangely enough, the Honda option shown here is the. It has a GCV190 to produce 3,100 PSI at 2.5 GPM, surely enough for residential cleaning needs. It has the smallest footprint of all the residential machines on this list to make storing it in your garage a cinch (be sure to follow proper storage procedures to ensure long life). It’s kinda funny because PowerBoss machines are manufactured by Briggs & Stratton and yet they put a Honda engine on it.

They created the PowerBoss brand to offer pressure washers with Honda engines not as a sort of hidden way to admit Honda is better, but to capture more of the market. Simpson Cleaning does the same thing by licensing the DeWalt name on some of their pressure washers. It’s to capture more of the market by owning profits on two brands of choice instead of just one. It’s interesting how common this is in the tools industry. This PowerBoss machine has a GC190 Honda and axial cam pump. It’s affordable at less than $500, making it the perfect addition to your kit for gutter cleaning, house siding, driveway, truck and more.

Karcher is the largest by unit sales pressure washer maker in the world. They sell electric and gas powered machines – from home-use to professional – under the Karcher, Landa, Hotsy and Shark brands. This gas powered Karcher employs the Honda GC190 to create 3,000 PSI at 2.5 GPM through its axial cam pump.

It is competitively priced and well reviewed with a 5 star rating off 9 customer reviews. Commercial Use – Pressure wash all-day everyday, no worries Power washing contractors trust Pressure Pro power washers to help them earn a living. Their most affordable machine is powered by the Honda GX200. The 6.5 horsepower workhorse is able to power a triplex plunger pump to provide 2,700 PSI at 3 GPM – enough for most commercial jobs – but probably used mostly as a portable backup as contractors like their main machine to have 5 – 10 GPM flow rate. If you want an entry level commercial / industrial unit then this is a superb option by a trusted brand.

Karcher

NorthStar brand is manufactured in-house by Norther Tool + Equipment. Northern Tool is the upper Midwest’s largest distributor of Honda small engines. They are a Minnesota family run business that started out making money mailing how-to guides for log splitters Today Northern Tool is a trusted brand in the power equipment industry and their power washer offering is top notch. This one has a Honda GX270 powering a CAT triplex pump. This combination offers you the ultimate in reliability and durability – CAT pumps are well known as the Honda of pumps. As you can see the machine has a more upright stance with a smaller footprint than the wheelbarrow like Pressure Pro above – it also boasts the GX270 over the GX200 to give you extra 600 PSI.

Pressure is a Canadian family run business now with manufacturing facilities in Canada, USA, Australia and China. They started in agriculture and made the bold move in 1991 to focus on power washers, and have further moved into generators, air compressors, industrial fans and heaters (all powered by Honda). This machine has the most powerful engine on our list, the GX390. It powers a Comet triplex pump to provide 4,000 PSI at 4 GPM. Sources., Forbes.com., Interbrand.com., world.honda.com, March 31, 2016., Wikipedia.org, January 2017., Wikipedia.org, January 2017., Honda.co.jp, March 2008., world.honda.com, September 2015., world.honda.com.

Bob McDonald, Engine Builder Magazine, June 20, 2013., Ventry Solutions Inc., books.google.com, May 1962., books.google.com, April 1978., books.google.com, April 1988.