Karcher K4 Pressure Washer - How to Open and Fix an Internal Leak
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- The output pressure from my Karcher K4 suddenly dropped and it didn’t automatically shut off when I released the trigger on the gun. I then noticed water streaming from the base of the unit.
This video details how to disassemble the unit, locate where the leak is coming from, fix it and reassemble.
In my case, the faulty part was a plastic elbow that connects to the top of the pump, part number: 9.013-355.0
I purchased a genuine replacement from Amazon for £6.95.
The part number received was 9.038-458.0 which looked the same and fitted without issue. It may be that the original part number has been superseded if this issue was caused by a manufacturing defect.
Karcher also appear to produce a metal variant of this elbow (9.042-155.0), however I do not know if this part will fit a Karcher K4 pressure washer.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:10 The problem
00:36 Opening up the case
05:56 Identifying where the leak is coming from
06:25 Disassembly
11:01 Replacement part and reassembly
20:45 Testing
21:36 Correct order of disassembly - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
My pressure washer was leaking and I couldn't find anyone local to fix it. I checked with Karcher who would fix it for a set £160, new one about £200. Last ditch I looked at TH-cam and luckily found this video. My one appeared to have the same problem. Followed the advice as given and have now fixed my washer for £8. Brilliant video. Thanks very much
Thanks for the great feedback, I’m glad it helped and saved you quite a bit of money by fixing it yourself.
Where do you buy the part from? Seems to be a common issue for the K4, I have the premium version and the exact same thing is happening to mine. I've used it once...
@@flanger890 I bought mine from Amazon because I have Prime so it was cheaper than paying for delivery on top of what parts websites sell the part for.
Great job, saved me all the grief of trying to figure how to get it apart and a real nice cheap fix!!
Thanks for the feedback and glad it helped you fix your pressure washer.
To be fare a very honest and transparent review,showing the pitfalls,errors and also solutions to a first time strip down of an unfamiliar item great vid well done👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 …..ps don’t use WD40 on plastic items
So useful to do my stripping of K4 pressure washer and see how to not forget the small bead in the pipeline, get the pins out etc - a great video, explanations and see it live - what a pleasure.
It is caused by water freezing inside during the winter - As it expands it splits the plastic.
I always unplug the hosepipe and run the machine til water stops coming out before you put it back in the shed. I have never had problems since using this technique.
I agree that this is one of the most likely reasons for it to fail. Prior to the repair, I always forgot to switch off the machine and release the pressure before packing it away.
Well, I did mine yesterday, part arrived from Amazon. Took me around 1hr 20mins. I had no issue separating the part just found it difficult to connect it back to the metal elbow. Got there in the end. Fantastic video, well done 👍🏻
Thanks for sharing and glad this video helped.
Videos like this are brilliant. Really appreciate your time for sharing this.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
You sir are a legend!! I’ve literally just fixed my K4 this second following along with your video and buying the part on a wim that it would be the same issue.
You’ve just saved me buying a new pressure washer, kudos to you sir!
Amazing! Glad it helped and thanks for the great feedback! 🙂
Any link to this replacement part please....?@@SwiftDevelopments
@@craigparker5285 www.spares2you.co.uk/karcher-high-pressure-outlet-pipe/ have it for £12.49.
Nice Video. My K 4 is 1 year old and having always problems.
Before some years, Kärcher was a good brand.
Now itsn't any more.
I just bought a spare lans, almost 50 Euro.
My next pressure washer, will be a different brand.
Wish i had watched this sooner. Broke the water inlet pipe on mine and didn’t realise i could replace it this easily Thanks for the video
Just saved me a fortune. Quick trip down to screwfix for a replacement pipe and boshhh done. Appreciate the video. Thanks 👊🏻👊🏻
Thank you so much, my K4 have had the same failure. The replacement part I got for 9,5€
With your tutorial 45 min repair time and today I clean my balcony very well. Greetings from Germany.
Thank you for the feedback and good to hear your pressure washer is back up and running. 👍🏼
Same problem but with K5.
The spare part is metal, replacing the plastic one (9.042-155.0)
Jeez.. now I need to wait for the shipment!
Hope it fixes the issue, let me know how you get on once the part arrives.
Thankyou so much for this very helpful video. Have similar problem so won't be afraid to have a go myself.
Fantastic video, thanks. Exactly the same issue as my K4 so you've saved me a lot of hassle.
Great to hear and glad it’s helped 😊
Glad you were able to get the part required. I have a Ryobi machine which promptly broke soon after I bought it. I could probably have returned it, but it only needed an o-ring. Ryobi in their wisdom however do not sell this particular o-ring so I had to guess at the size and order from eBay. Been ok since.
I have bought 3 pressures washers over three years. Suspect for any washer is the aluminum/zinc die cast housing used, which is subject to corrosion and a frozen pump. I got one season out of the first two washers. Go to use it the next year and "ZERO". Lock up. Looking at the inlets there was corrosion all over the casting. Comes the third pressure washer. On the first two I used the flush and store system liquid through the pump and put it away for winter. That didn't work. Third washer, put hydraulic tool oil (4-5 table spoons) into the water inlet and ran the pump for about 10 seconds. It flushed out water and left an oil film in the pump. I have had this last pressure washer 3 years now and it starts up every year after winter. And the pressure is still strong. Frankly, I think these manufactures should be coating the die cast housings with corrosion resistant coating. I am a product engineer of 45 years, and designed automotive parts with corrosion resistant coatings to withstand freezing rain, heat, and road salts. I can tell you I never went back to the manufactures washers that only lasted one season. My current washer is a Sun Joe and it is holding up.....with the oil purge included.
I have a slightly different K4 and a different damaged part but great help with this video. So thanks for that. Cheers
You, Sir just saved me a ton of $$$. Thank you for this video!
Well done! Thank you for showing this
Great video just repaired my k4 it had the same issue. Just one thing that may help others the little white plastic ball can get lost but when I took mine off I took the clear plastic tube off the opposite end to the video. No proble the white ball stayed safe and sound in the tube. Thanks for the video brilliant
Thanks for the feedback and I’m glad the video helped. Yeah I did try disconnecting that end first but it wasn’t budging and didn’t want to split the pipe removing it.
Outstanding lad . Just saved me 😂🇮🇪
Well, I have a K7. Whith no issues at all whatsoever. But out of curiosity, after watching this video, I disassembled the machine down to pieces and reassembled it back again in 45 minutes. Most parts are exactly similar to K4. 😮
K7 is nothing like K4, k7 has aluminium pump head as to a plastic head on K4.
Thanks for sharing, you would think for the difference in price they might use premium materials, although maybe the internals of the pump are different to support the higher running pressure the K7 offers over lower models.
When I wrote "most parts are exactly similar" I didn't ment the very nature the materials are made off, plastic, or metal, but rather the actual position placement of the parts, on both models, the screws, the pins, and the similar sequence someone follows to disassemble and reassemble both models.
For me, after watching the video, it was so predictable from where to start, which step to follow next etc, it was like I worked as a Karcher technician all my life 😀
That's all.
Brilliant video @SwiftDevelopments - thanks so much!
Thank you for a very detailed video. Job well done.
Thanks, glad it was helpful.
Thanks bro, great video, just need some torx drivers and I’m all set!
This seems a very common problem on this brand.
I have 1 that's a few years old and it done this from not long after buying it and numerous repairs,
So come on Karcher get it sorted asap
I owe you a pint or two! Thank you so very much, I now know your voice off by heart 😂 Without your help I would have struggled. I found a much easier way to remove the clip that you had problems with, you used allen keys, I bent the pointy end of a round chainsaw file to 90* and put a piece of wood behind and forced the end of file under the clip and it popped out. Thank you once again
Thanks for the feedback and taking the time to comment. Good idea for getting that clip off…I could have had it done in half the time if I knew how to get that clip off quickly! 😂
@@SwiftDevelopments Although I haven’t tried it yet!😂 I think you have earnt my sub, well done. What’s your first name?
Machine always goes into black base first,then fit yellow cover on. I’m Karcher engineer for 21 years.
My issue with K4 was the set pump, which I've successfully replaced but couldn't close the housing. Your guidance on this video helped me to do it the right way by putting the pump body into the yellow part first and then securing the power cable.
Yeah it surprised me that you assemble it in the front half of the casing. Also reduces the chance of snapping the pressure switch when taking it apart, which I nearly did with mine when the pump fell out of the case!
I swore a lot throughout this process and realised my pacence is nothing like yours 😂😂😂 great vid buddy.
They are definitely fiddly bastards to work on! 🤣
Me too. That’s why I’m putting off doing ours. When the clips(and whatever other contraptions it’s held together with) won’t unloosen or come apart,I’ll be screaming “COME OUT YOU MUTHA F**ER”
Neighbours be like, lunatic at number 21 is off again.😂
Thanks very much for sharing. Just saved me a small fortune 🙏👍👍👍
Great to hear and thanks for taking the time to comment 👍🏼
Fantastic video thank you mine seems to have the exact same problem fingers crossed I will now purchase the part and give it a go very grateful for your taking the time to do this 😅
No problem and thanks for the feedback, let me know how you get on once the part arrives and you’ve had chance to fit it.
Excellent video. Saved me a load of money. Nice one!
Thanks for the feedback and glad it helped!
thank you, very helpful
All the Kärcher washers I've had always leak like that. Even friends there's leak as well
Great guide, exactly what was wrong on mine. Thank you 👍
No problem glad it helped 👍
@@SwiftDevelopments Just as a follow up, I ordered the metal version 9.042-155.0 and when it arrived I notice it's completely different at both ends to the plastic part I have, so I've had to return it and order the plastic one. Mine is a K4 130 and is about 10 years old, so maybe they changed the design at some point?
@@HiruS22 Thanks for following up and I'm sorry to hear the part doesn't fit. It is possible the design might have changed over the years. Does your K4 look the same as mine? I'm not sure which version K4 I have. Did the metal version you ordered look like the plastic version shown in my video?
You were lucky when your pump fell out!! This happened to me and the thin plastic rod on the on/off switch hit the ground and snapped off. Rather than mess around I ended up replacing the on off switch assembly (I couldn't find just the switch). An expensive mistake 😢 A warning to others!
I know I was surprised it didn’t snap when it dropped too!
Try a hook pick tool for the locking washer.
This elbow is a design fault by Karcher
How u didn’t swear I don’t know. Thanks for sharing
had the same issue after hard winter and not draining the unit fully. cost me £40 for local Karcher repair shop to fix split plastic exit elbow/flow valve.
This is what happened on my last K4 I found that if it’s not drained completely and stored, if the frost gets to it then it ices up the water and splits the plastic, bought another K4 and learned my lesson this time
I'm strongly considering buying a K4. How to you properly drain it??
@@guppy9713 turn the water mains off and unclip the hose then keep the trigger in until nothing else comes out
@@Liam2E0LDQ Unclip the hose from the machine??. Also I assume have the machine switched off when I do this??
ive had 2 karcher washers and it has been this elbow both times that has burst
I bought a leaking k2 for 19e.. I changed the connector on the pressure side and now it doesn't leak and turns off from the handle. Expensive parts in relation to the price of the washer
Great video, have you ever worked on k5 140m please . Low pressure and on off switch stays on all the time.
I've not worked on a K5 before, but what you describe could be to do with the pump cylinder head not sealing to create the pressure it needs. Try searching for that to see if you can find similar symptoms to what you are experiencing. Hope this helps.
This is really helpful, thank you, I will follow this to hopefully fix our Karcher. I have this issue for the second time on my pressure washer... the first time it was fixed in the warranty with no comments on how it happened, what went wrong or how could it have been prevented. The fault reappeared only a few months after the issue was fixed the first time, however this time its out of warranty and the customer services are saying that I have caused the problem myself by using AutoStop type of hose connector. It's very irritating as the first time it happened it has not been pointed out and I have never realised that Autostop connectors could cause any problems. In the video, your connector looks like my Autostop one, so just a heads up in case you are still using it. Thanks for the guide.
I don't agree with Karcher trying to explain away that the issue is to do with Aquastop/Autostop hosepipe connectors causing this; this injection moulded plastic elbow is after the pump has pressurised the water supply. If an Aquastop connector was starving the pump of water, this would only lead to reduced flow/pressure after the pump.
Unfortunately I think this part is just prone to failure by the way it has been manufactured; instead, try ordering the metal variant of this part which I've listed in the video description.
Teach your audience the correct discharge procedure before shutting down, most of these failures are due to frozen pumps in winter because they don’t pump out water before shutting down.
Mine did exactly the same! Shortly after the valves in the head snapped off and went through the pump. I then made the mistake of buying another k4 and after only ten hours the same thing happened to the valves!! No luck with the warranty? What ever happened to the best manufacturer of pressure washers???
I've now got a parkside from Lidl 😊 absolutely brilliant and a lot cheaper.
50 ISH hours and as good as new.
Great video - do you know where i can find a replacement transparent tube (the one you disconnect to remove the yellow facing) - i lost the white ball😂
This website sells the tubing for £3.79 per meter: www.spares2you.co.uk/karcher-k2-k7-pressure-washer-detergent-hose-per-meter/
Thanks for the video. I have to disassembly aswell, but the pressure washer hose is stuck in the pressure washer. I really can't get it out...
Hi. If you cannot disconnect the hose after removing the spring clip, you should still be able to dismantle it with the hose still attached to the back foot. 20min 10sec onwards in the video shows the best view of the hose connector in case that helps you understand how it might be getting stuck. The back foot assembly is part number 4.100-775.0 in case you damage that and need to purchase a replacement. Good luck!
@@SwiftDevelopments thanks alot. I will give that a try 👍
They are famous for leaking, the whole range 😂
When the pump fell out you were lucky the on/off extension piece did not break - have seen this comments on other videos- so awareness of this will save anyone as t
Karcher don't sell the lug individually but you have to buy the whole control unit for about £25 I think.
Yeah I was lucky it didn’t snap, especially when I watched it back in the video!
It wasn’t until I put it back together that I realised you place it face down and take the back off, which ensures the pump doesn’t fall out whilst disassembling.
Great job, must have felt good to see the leak gone. BTW where did you get the part.
Thanks. I ordered the part from Amazon Prime; it was slightly more expensive than what eSpares or Spares2You sell them for, but cheaper once you include their postage charges.
I went through 3 of these machine... Different models. All lasted just over a tday... Similar issues.. Absolute garbage!.. Then bought a Ryobi, 5 years later and is as good as new!
Hello I have exactly the same problem. I could do with fixing it today. Do you think a small flame on the split part will just bond it back together?? Cheers
I suppose you have nothing to lose in trying, I’m not sure what type of plastic it is made from and whether this could work. Remember to remove the rubber O rings first. The part is cheap to buy so it might be worth ordering one just in case it doesn’t work.
Hello
I e Chen keep my k4 outlet valve, the black part you replaced. No cracks but Doesn’t seem to snap in the silver metal hose connector. Does this have some sort of O ring on and mine is obviously missing. Thanks.
Hi, I’m not entirely sure what you’re asking because it looks like autocorrect replaced part of your message. The elbow that connects to the pressure hose does have an O ring which seals between that and the black elbow I replaced, it is then secured in place with the metal staple shaped pin that locks it into place. Hope this helps.
I plan to buy K4 for occasional car and yard washing. How long did you use the washing machine before this failure occurred? Would you recommend buying the K4 or would you pay extra for the K5?
I’ve had my K4 about six years before this happened. It has been kept in the garage (to prevent frost splitting pipes during winter months), I use it to wash two cars on average three times a month, then clean a patio with it annually. I’m happy with it, although I have been looking at Ava pressure washers that come with a 20 year warranty to replace it (I want one with a hose reel to make it easier to pack away and store).
The K5 is slightly more powerful, aside from that I imagine construction will be very similar to the K4.
You are wrong. K5 is far better product then K4. It has aluminium pump head while on K4 is entirely made of plastic.
Does this model come with a plastic water pump? I don’t find any information. I remember speaking with a Karcher repair guy that told me that the K5 is the only one with an aluminum water pump.
Yes, the Pressure Washer Control Head in the K5 is of all-metal construction compared to the K4 which is plastic encased in metal. I’m presuming this is most likely so the K5 can run at its increased pressure and flow rate.
Saying the K5 is better is speculative. It is 50% more expensive than the K4, so it comes down to how someone intends to use it and whether they need the increased pressure capabilities for the additional expense (and marginally increased running costs from a higher wattage motor).
Karcher doesn’t list MTBF rates for each machine, so reliability cannot be assumed from the more expensive model (although you’d like to hope so). Tolerances might be similar relative to their operating pressures and what those tolerances are for each model.
I have owned many Karcher pressure washers over the years and I have to say that they do not seem to be the most reliable of things, you're lucky to get a couple of years out of them before they start playing up. I never let my machines freeze in cold weather either. I can't say a machine made by any other brand are any better. In my experience, the bigger the model, the more unreliable it is. I am in the process of trying to fix a K4, at the minute that was pulsating and pishing water out the bottom. There doesn't appear to be any leak as in this video but haven't checked with the machine switched on yet. New pump head for my model appears to be £73, which is a bit steep.
Hi this is great as I have the same issue. Where did you get your replacement part please. Thank you
I bought it from Amazon because it worked out cheaper than buying it from a parts website and paying extra for postage.
What size torque screwdriver
@@MrMickthemod I think it was a T15 Torx
Thx for the info…. Not sure, but I can imagine the crack may have resulted due to excessive pulling strain on the high pressure hose. Some folks like to tug on it dragging the entire pressure washer a few feet or so to continue their work…
There’s a possibility that dragging the pressure washer with the hose could put stain on this part, although it is locked in place with the rear L shaped bracket that sticks out from the back. I think the most probable reason is down to the injection moulding process creating a weak point, constantly put under strain each time the part is pressurised during use.
Thanks for the vid. What size torx screwdriver is required please?! Cheers
Thanks for watching; it's a T15 torx for the screws holding the case together.
My device is still under warranty, is this something that would be replaced under warranty? Or would they say it is because of frost during winter months?
It should be replaced under warranty. This particular part is injection moulded which creates a weak point down the seam. I would expect Karcher will just replace it or ask you to take it to one of their service centres to get it fixed without charge.
My cheap pressure washer from Lidl has an all metal pump and pipe work.
Witam. Posiadam myjke Karcher k5 myjka działała normlanie lecz teraz gdy właczam slychac przygotowaniendo pracy natomiast po naciśnieciu pistoletu brak rekacji. Jedynie dziala gdy pistolet wcisne i włacze to wtedy jest oki. Jakies sugestie?
Cześć,
Nie jestem pewien, ale przyczyną problemu może być blokada powietrza.
Przy wyłączonej myjce ciśnieniowej spróbuj odłączyć pistolet od węża i pozwól wodzie płynąć przez kilka minut.
Podłącz ponownie pistolet, aby sprawdzić, czy to rozwiązało problem.
Mam nadzieję że to pomoże.
I thought those red auto lock hose connectors damaged the pumps on these?
They don’t recommend them because the flow rate might be restricted which could starve the pressure washer.
I tested it first by spraying the pressure washer into a bucket and timed how long it took to fill it up. I then fitted the Hozelock Aqua Stop and tested again.
I didn’t notice a difference so use it to easily swap between the pressure washer and spray gun.
Not discharged machine properly on shut down. Frozen in winter. Not bad for an amateur!!!😊
I just realized there was a plastic ball bearing when i was disassembling now I'm finding where it had fallen cannot find anywhere. Can you please help me from where i can get another one online .
I think it had an important purpose that is why it's put in by manufacturer.
@4908Arsalan the part comes in the ‘K4/K5 Solution Docking Station Complete’, part number 9.002-423.0. If you look online, it comes with the clear tube, black shuttle and if you look closely in the pictures, you can see the white plastic ball in the tube.
You’d need to check with Karcher directly to see if this ball can be ordered separately.
i have replaced this 3 times. is there any metal we can find ?
This is the part number for the metal version: 9.042-155.0
Fixed my own but fitted a metal elbow common fault with them you would think Karcher would be fitting metal ones from new.
Do you have the part number for the metal elbow you fitted and which model of Karcher did you fix? I know the K5 comes with a metal elbow as standard, but I’m wanting to find out if anyone has replaced the plastic version with a metal alternative and whether there were any issues. Thanks.
@@SwiftDevelopments Sorry don't have the parts number sure I got off Ebay uk if not was on a UK site but was not through karcher parts department good luck.
Im about to do this tomorrow, really not looking forward to it. Any details on your after market blue hose please?
Hi. The hose is better quality than the supplied Karcher one; it doesn’t kink and coil as much either. Bought it from www.directhoses.net, would have preferred black over the blue if I had the choice of colour.
If these machines were made properly, you would never get internal leaks. I have owned two and never again.
Why is there no pressure
Flat blade screwdriver gets set back foot clip out
But what about the ball bearing then!
That spring clip would have been easier to remove with a generic pick set from Amazon.
It’s possible they could work better…when first disassembling I didn’t realise the clip was accessible from the underside, mine was wedged in there so using a thin screwdriver or something similar to push it out from the back will likely be the most effective method of removal.
Looks the same problem that we have. Only used it twice 🙈🙄
2 ? You did better than us. Ours was broken right from the unboxing. Found it difficult sorting with Karcher... eventually got it collected and a refund. Went and bought a Kranzle machine. More spendy but infinitely better made. None of the moulded plastic bollox on parts pressurised at 100+ bar.
It seems like a temporary fix .... This is clearly a crap part that will fail again after some time, I wonder if there is a better way to fix this , that doesn't use a weak part
Hi @john3Va, you’re right, it does feel like it’s only a matter of time before it fails again. How long it lasts is anyone’s guess; I appear to have been lucky compared to others as mine has lasted years. There is the metal variant of this elbow which I’ve linked in the description; this is the part that comes as standard on the K5.
surely someone could come up with a brass elbow with the correct mating surfaces good milking pot for Karcher to replace with another plastic elbow.
Hi, there is a metal variant of this elbow which comes as standard on the K5, Google this part number: 9.042-155.0
Ok....here I go.I think it's exactly the same problem.
Though t it was easy
Karcher K4 series are, in my opinion, absolute garbage. I've had two and both failed in less than one year. I now own a Nilfisk, six years on and not a single problem.
Well I have a Karcher for 5 years now and believe me it gets plenty of use and it’s still going strong.
@@tonylawlor8833 Good for you; You must have bought the one made properly!
Unless you buy “high end” these things are an endless money pit! My personal experience😢
😴😴😴🥱🥱🥱
I’d recommend getting a good night’s sleep so you can give this video your full attention! 😂
ps they make a metal version because the plastic is so crap.
Got the new version. Also splits over winter just below this part under the metal shroud where there's more plastic. Would have rather this fault, at least it's repearable!
This is so painful to watch,and after all that ,he fitted the same pipe ……..and it leaked doh !!!
Karcher is the biggest crap on the market! And the prices that they ask for this garbage o my god!
Plastic rubbish
Never buy a karcher no 👍🏼
These machines are garbage.
All the best pressure washer manufacturers use injection moulded plastic for high pressure applications, honest. Karcher are the GOAT when it comes to this 💩
I've been tempted to buy an AVA pressure washer; these come with a 20 year warranty...only problem is they always appear to be out of stock!