I just bought this same pressure washer. This is one of the best product reviews on any product I have ever seen. Mike, I appreciate your attention to detail and practical advice. Very helpful.
Cool. I'm glad it could help you. My unit has held up well and we use it about 3-4 times a week. Adding a can of pump saver will help extend it's lifetime.
THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEOOOOO!!! My kind neighbors let me barrow this and I was extremely nervous didn’t want to break their machine. But after watching this video I felt confident in using it on my own and will be for sure purchasing my own soon
I bought 2 of these at Lowes for $25 each, yes only $25. They were outside next to the snowblowers and had signs "parts only". I asked about them and was told they were customer returns and too expensive to repair. I got them both home and long story short it was just stale gas and the carbs were nasty inside, mainly the pilot jets were clogged. After cleaning the carbs they both run perfectly. Never had a pressure washer before and bought them for a fun project to work on but it didn't even take long to fix. I sold one for $140 and decided to keep one. One was missing the metal hose hanger so I bought a 3' length of thin metal rod and bent it to match the other one. One came with a Simpson brand wand and it doesn't fit the holder well, it falls off easily when moving the machine around, so I used a 12" section of pvc tube and made a holder by zip tieing it down the side of the handle. So far I only use it to wash my car. I bought an inexpensive foam cannon from Amazon, it's a Mekoh brand for only $11.99 and came with 5 tips that are 2.5. The pressure washer runs great, starts by the 2nd pull. I really like the adjustable pressure feature, I'll lower it all the way down when rinsing the car with a 40 tip then turn it full pressure when using the foam cannon. The Simpson wand is great, I didn't care for the wand that comes with it, having to press the button in to be able to use the trigger. The hose is ok but I'm currently looking for a longer 50' hose, I have a few picked out I'm just waiting for one to go on sale to get it. I left reviews for this pressure washer on Both Lowes and Craftsman websites. They are posted and you can see them. The only reason I got them is the $25 price tag, I had no reason to buy one. I find it funny reading alot of reviews saying they are junk and don't start, when I bought 2 of them specifically because they didn't work and I was able to fix them for the cost of a can of carburetor cleaner. From now on this machine will be well cared for so should last forever. I always mix in seafoam when I'm at the gas station filling my gas containers up which I think helps keep them running properly.
When I got my same pressure washer my wires were in a nice little black tube and were I live at the air is always hot so I place the unit in the Shade so far I like the unit
It's hot here too, in central MS. My washer runs very hot, but is performing pretty good. We use it every day. Already had to replace the wand and hose. But overall I'm pleased with it, considering the workout we give it.
You didn't mention oil so I'm assuming that you put the correct amount of oil into it. I mention that because overfilling oil will prevent it from cranking. Also, make sure the water is on before cranking it. If everything is done correctly, including choking it, then I would return it to the store. These units are super-easy to use and SHOULD work even if almost everything is done wrong, so it sounds like you got a bad one. There seems to be a higher number of defective units in almost every product category than there used to be. Good luck with it. Thank you for watching my video. **** Please comment again later and let me know what you ended up doing, or post more questions if I can help.
@@sm1l3y43 Some other people have also told me that. I'm not sure why that happens. Maybe it's due to manufacturing differences in the plants where that model is produced.
Play with your vertical height. Mine came with wheels mounted on the washer but it needed more height to move faster and not be to hard on the deck. I used all thread rod couplings to raise mine and it works much more gooder. I had to reach a point where it cleaned concrete without cutting up the deck.
I love mine ! Winterized it with the recommend pump saver stored it. Just brought it out and water flows through the wand but can’t get any pressure? And suggestions….
Assuming there is a tip on your wand, it sounds like the pump is not engaging. I haven't seen that before. I use my unit every week and it hasn't given me any trouble.
@@ThatOne77 Pump saver is a product that you put in the pump to keep any water from freezing and damaging the pump, also supposed to oil and condition the valves. I just use car antifreeze, use an old 3 foot section of hose and connect it to the pump, hold the end of the hose up while pouring the antifreeze in while pulling the cord turning the engine over a few times until antifreeze comes out the pump. Don't have to worry about the pump being damaged while store for winter.
If you are pulling the trigger on the handle and no water is coming out then maybe remove the spray hose. If water is still not coming out of the unit then I would return it to the store. It sounds like your pump may be locked up.
I looked at my until to see if there could be some reason it would not discharge water These units are very simple. If water is not coming out then it has a problem.
I usually have to use channel locks to get the hose off my pressure washer after using because the built up pressure puts more of a bind on it making it hard to twist off by hand
I just bought one, the dipstick shows a millimeter of oil on both. Should I add out if box first thing? Does it come with enough oil in it? I'm confused because 2 had no assembly instructions. I returned the first one not knowing why no manual. Should I add the oil until higher on the stick?
I have two of these units and both had a very small amount of oil showing on the dipstick when they were new. The factory adds oil to test the units and then drains the oil. But very often they do not drain all of it so there may be a small amount of oil in the engine when you purchase it. The new unit should come with a small bag of oil and almost all of that oil is required to fill it. I would add oil until the level is correct on the dipstick. Be careful to avoid over-filling because that can make the engine run rough, or not crank at all.
These things are easy to start. If it won't start I would take it back. Sounds like you got somebody else's return that was re-packed and put back on the shelf.
Great video. Any idea where I can get a manual? My wife threw mine away with the box and packing and I want to make sure i'm doing everything correctly.
There is a manual on the craftsman website. Just Google craftsman 3000psi pressure washer manual. But be warned that their manual online does not exactly match the units that are in all stores because they produce different variations of the unit in different regions of the US and Canada.
Nice review. How loud is it? That is, is it about as loud as a lawn mower? The price point, PSI, and the GPM make it appealing but I live on a 40 x 100 lot so I try not to be too loud for my neighbors.
It's comparable to a lawnmower. It does a good job and seems to last pretty good. I use it at least once a week and change the oil 3-4 times a year. It's a good value for the price. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Good video just bought this and it cranks up fine but the water doesn’t come out. It flows through the hose fine but nothing out of the actual pressure washer, any help??
The first thing to check is that the pressure adjustment valve is turned on. That is the black plastic vertical thing that is mounted on the pump in the rear of the unit. I think it it turns off clockwise and on counter-clockwise. On my unit, it can be turned off so that no water will come out. Next, there is a red button on the side of the handle that you have to press before you squeeze the trigger. You probably already know that, but it's worth mentioning since not everyone is familiar with it. Also, make sure the nozzle actually has a hole in it for water to pass through. Someone a while back mentioned to me that one of their nozzles had a manufacturing defect and there was no hole in it. If none of those things work, then the pump or the wand may be defective.
Haha. Thanks. It was definitely a cheapo rig. Worked good. It was stolen out of the back of my truck a week after I made the video. The guy who stole it left my new chainsaw right beside it. Criminals aren't very smart.
I have a question I have the same pressure washer for work and I would have to use it somewhat daily ( would you recommend I use it for less than 2hrs I know you said it gets really hot after using it for 2hrs it doesn’t get that hot in the morning when I use it but I would typically power washer for maybe 1-2 hrs somewhat daily ) or would you recommend not to use it for more than 2hrs when it’s very hot outside?
I use mine at least once a week, all year. It handles the heat pretty good. Has never given me any trouble, even in the middle of summer. I frequently use it for 3-4 hours without stopping.
@@MikeM100 I just got mine but didn’t know exactly where to put the oil since other models have a CLEAR indicated place to put it. I wasn’t sure if it was those small yellow caps or not but you def helped me with this vid
No. The soap dispenser works all the time if soap is in it. That's what ne of the things I don't like about it. You can remove the clear plastic hose and plug up the port where the soap goes into the pressure pump.
Sometimes it does that when water has not full circulated through the pump. I have owned many pressure washers and they all do it occasionally. If it happens a lot, then I would take to back to the store.
@@MikeM100 OK thanks I've only used it one other time and I don't remember it making that noise I did have the water hose pretty much all still coiled up except for maybe 10 to 15 feet
It started once then we moved it and now it won't start again. Any suggestions, my husband thinks he may have flooded it and has waited 20 min and still won't start.
Sometimes, if the water is turned on before you crank it, the pump can build up a back pressure which will make it hard to crank. If that is the case, then maybe turn off the water and release the pressure on the wand and try again. Also, check to make sure there is not water in your oil. If the oil is milky or frothy, then I would drain and refill the oil. Good luck. If you are able to crank it, I would like to know what was the problem.
I do sometimes, but not very often. It foams up too much. When washing a car, I prefer to put fill a bucket with water and add the detergent to the bucket and wash the car by hand and then sprat it clean with the pressure washer. Thanks for watching.
@@MikeM100 I bought one last week and I just now finished assembling it. Which color tip should I use for my Deck because it has really bad (dark) discoloration from my BBQ pit
If I were you, I would mix up some Dawn Platinum dish detergent and with hot water and spray it on the deck with a spray bottle and let that soak for 30 minutes, and then pressure wash it with the WHITE 40 degree tip. That's what I've been doing and it has worked good for me. And then spray the deck again with a very diluted bleach solution to kill any mold and algie. Let the bleach solution dry and don't spray it off. But don't let pets lick up the bleach solution.
I find it difficult to get an accurate reading of the oil on the gauge due to the angle of the dipstick. Would you recommend filling it to the first threads up from crank case?
If you go to the threads then it will be overfull. What works for me is adding oil slowly and checking frequently. But don't screw in the dipstick when checking. I added about 3/4 of one quart and then added about an ounce at a time, checking with each ounce. The oil-fill point is one of the worst parts of the design. Our unit has held up well. We use it about 4 times a week and haven't had any problems yet. I'll post another video about the oil tomorrow.
@@MikeM100 thanks. Yeah I overfill then. Can't get it started now. Cranked for a second with choke on, but now it won't start. Every 6 tries, it locks won't let cord pull.
You will probably have to drain some of the oil and clean off the spark plug. Too much oil will get foamy and not lubricate good, as well as smoking a lot.
I was researching the problem you had pulling the cord to crank your washer. If the water is turned on and you have already pressurized the pump, then you may need to release the pressure before it will crank. I was not able to replicate the problem with either of my washers, but it does happen. Check out Steve's Small Engine Saloon. He has done a dood video on that specific problem.
2 Things- 1 use ear plugs or some sort of hearing protection and 2 You can buy a hose saver and a shut of valve so you can shut of the water by the machine instead of going back to the wall faucet to turn it on & off.
You're right. Ear plugs are a good idea. My younger self would have said that the sound isn't a problem. The older and wiser self agrees with both ear and eye protection. Thanks for watching.
The pump saver is a lubricant that is purchased separately. I did a video a few days ago on maintenance and oil change on this pressure washer, where I showed how to use the pump saver.
Strangely, mine will only run if I have the choke to the left. If it's to the right before the pull, it will not start at all. If I start it up with the choke to the left, but push it to the right once it's going, it kills it. That way is actually how B&S wants you to start it, btw, according to their YT video. But like I said, it kills the engine for me. Not sure if I should just keep running it with the choke full on or not. Seems to work. I just don't want to break it. Any ideas, anyone?
@@MikeM100 I think you might be right. I watched a video about cleaning out the gas lines on mowers and it showed a gasket put on backwards. I imagine stuff like that happens sometimes. Thanks.
mine also chokes out if you push the choke to the right, i didnt have this problem when it was new but after a few hours it cut off and would only run if the choke was to the left.
If you followed all the steps in my video, then it should crank with no problems. It's a very simple and there is not much to tweak. Just add oil and gas and it should work. If the water is on, you may want to turn off the water and release the water pressure on the system. If it still does not crank after that then I would take it back. Thanks for watching.
The wheels, silver axel, and retainers for the end of the axle were all in my box. Was your box opened before you purchased it? Maybe somebody took out the hardware. That's happened to me before.
Thanks Great Review, just bought the Craftsman 3300 PSI 2.5 GPM . Put it together today. will use it tomorrow. Good heads up on the oil. My manual says 20 0z oil- will add slowly to 17oz & check. The pump sprayer strap and need pump sprayer for storage. Out of Box full pressure warning. Just everything. Great well spoken review. I also have the Briggs & Stratton engine. Ethanol Free always. Cheers, enjoy your summer
iam 90% sure that motor is made over seas. labeled for BnG. this motor is used on tons of stuff these days under diff names and sold by many diff companys.
I’ve got the same pressure washer. One of the dipsticks did in fact have stripped threads. And you most certainly have to have a slanted an extended funnel to get the oil in. Definitely a poor design on Craftsmans part.
It's a good idea to slowly add oil and periodically check the oil level as you add it. The manuals that come with these units is not always accurate. My manual had several things wrong. Too much oil can definitely make it harder to crank, but not impossible. Good luck with your new one. Thanks for the comment. It would be nice to know if the new one works ok.
I think I broke my unit by overfilling the oil. It was cold out and pouring very slowly. I kept checking the level, but it showed it was low. I ended up putting the whole bottle in. But now it only runs for a few minutes and dies. I drained some oil out, but it still won’t run for more than 1-2 minutes.
@@RichHowell try removing the spark plug and turning the unit over and letting any oil in the cylinder drain out of the spark plug hole. That has happened to me before and it worked for me. You may also need to drain out all the gas and put in new gas. I don't know how it happens, but another viewer reported to me that they found oil in their gas.
Mine lasted 2 years and quit, but I worked it hard. Their quality has suffered badly in recent years. I would take it back to the store and get a Stihl. That's what I did. A lot of people have been reporting toe that their units are hard to start.
I've used mine for 4 hours straight , power washing my 1000 square foot shop ,and my driveway and my house all at the same time only stopping for gas and oil checks....it was never hot...,only warm Wich is understandable....so mabee u did something wrong ....mine works perfectly don't like the wand....but it's whatever u can get shorter ones...
My unit gets very hot, but still runs great 1 year later. I bought a second unit a few days ago. My son and his buddies started a pressure-washing business and they give both units a good workout and no problems so far. You're right about the wand. We bought longer wands.
Make sure you don't try to disconnect the hoses for 30-45 minutes after using this machine. I got a nasty burn from the carburetor, trying to prevent mine from being left out in the rain or stolen. The design is unsafe, tell me they couldn't have put the choke where the carburetor is instead? And don't bother with Lowes service plan, it will not take any effect until the manufacturer warranty expires. Overall, I am not happy I spent $430 to be burned consistently. I let it sit 30 minutes before trying the 3 previous uses, and it still burned me. The water hose inlet is really difficult to break loose by hand, so use the channel locks if you don't have 45 minutes to a hour to wait around for that carburetor to cool off, or you risk burning yourself. I 2nd the hose and housing for it are sub-par, and agree that the hoses are too close together. It cleans very well, in all fairness. But the carburetor being that close to where you have limited space to disconnect safely, is ridiculous. Craftsman asked when I reported this incident, if I had an opportunity pre purchase to view if this may be a problem. No, if you have been to Lowes lately, you know they rarely have any built in the display. Plus, hard to examine something that comes in unopened box, that was on the top stock rack. My advice? Buy one where the carburetor isn't super close to the hoses.
Good points. I've also been burned because I touched the muffler housing when I wasn't watching where I put my hand. They could have definitely improved on that. I always soak it good when I'm finished to cool it off. Overall I'm still happy with the unit. I use it about 3 times a week on average.
That ain’t it my guy. You’ve just defeated the purpose of the surface cleaner. You spent 3hrs building a contraption that will dramatically reduce the surface cleaners ability to clean.The pressure from the water jets in the surface cleaner lift it up leaving the bristles to aid in the cleaning of the surface. The bristles agitate the dirty surface and the water jets wash the surface…Much to learn you still have…
That wiring is embarrassing to craftsman. When I get in a better place, I'm going to get one with a Honda engine. Such a shame that a Japanese company kills American companies.
The Briggs engine is an "off the shelf" part. That is why there are two fills. Many applications. Thank you for the review!
I just bought this same pressure washer. This is one of the best product reviews on any product I have ever seen. Mike, I appreciate your attention to detail and practical advice. Very helpful.
Wow! Thanks. These videos take a lot of effort and good feedback makes it worthwhile. I appreciate you watching.
YES!!! Finally someone that knows how to explain things. THANK YOU so much for this video....Your Awesome!
Thanks for watching.
I bought the same exact pressure washer and plan to use it within the next couple of days. This video was so helpful! Good stuff Mike!
Cool. I'm glad it could help you. My unit has held up well and we use it about 3-4 times a week. Adding a can of pump saver will help extend it's lifetime.
THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEOOOOO!!! My kind neighbors let me barrow this and I was extremely nervous didn’t want to break their machine. But after watching this video I felt confident in using it on my own and will be for sure purchasing my own soon
BEST VIDEO FOR THIS PRODUCT BY FAR!!!!
Wow. Thank you very much. I think that's the nicest thing anybody has ever said about one of my videos. Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much for this video.. it’s the first accurate description of how to use this machine …
My pleasure. Thank you for watching
Dude I just bought this unit . Excellent review .
Thanks for watching and commenting. I use mine all the time and it's working great 18 months later. Probably used it over 500 times.
Just bought one , never used because I didn’t know how , about to attempt! Thanks lots of useful info and demonstrations!!
I bought 2 of these at Lowes for $25 each, yes only $25. They were outside next to the snowblowers and had signs "parts only". I asked about them and was told they were customer returns and too expensive to repair. I got them both home and long story short it was just stale gas and the carbs were nasty inside, mainly the pilot jets were clogged. After cleaning the carbs they both run perfectly. Never had a pressure washer before and bought them for a fun project to work on but it didn't even take long to fix. I sold one for $140 and decided to keep one. One was missing the metal hose hanger so I bought a 3' length of thin metal rod and bent it to match the other one. One came with a Simpson brand wand and it doesn't fit the holder well, it falls off easily when moving the machine around, so I used a 12" section of pvc tube and made a holder by zip tieing it down the side of the handle.
So far I only use it to wash my car. I bought an inexpensive foam cannon from Amazon, it's a Mekoh brand for only $11.99 and came with 5 tips that are 2.5. The pressure washer runs great, starts by the 2nd pull. I really like the adjustable pressure feature, I'll lower it all the way down when rinsing the car with a 40 tip then turn it full pressure when using the foam cannon. The Simpson wand is great, I didn't care for the wand that comes with it, having to press the button in to be able to use the trigger. The hose is ok but I'm currently looking for a longer 50' hose, I have a few picked out I'm just waiting for one to go on sale to get it.
I left reviews for this pressure washer on Both Lowes and Craftsman websites. They are posted and you can see them. The only reason I got them is the $25 price tag, I had no reason to buy one. I find it funny reading alot of reviews saying they are junk and don't start, when I bought 2 of them specifically because they didn't work and I was able to fix them for the cost of a can of carburetor cleaner. From now on this machine will be well cared for so should last forever. I always mix in seafoam when I'm at the gas station filling my gas containers up which I think helps keep them running properly.
Great video!!!! Answered all my questions!!!
Thanks Eric. I appreciate you watching.
When I got my same pressure washer my wires were in a nice little black tube and were I live at the air is always hot so I place the unit in the Shade so far I like the unit
It's hot here too, in central MS. My washer runs very hot, but is performing pretty good. We use it every day. Already had to replace the wand and hose. But overall I'm pleased with it, considering the workout we give it.
Thanks. I wasn't sure about choke. Didn't know which is off or on choke. Guess I left out decals.
What type of pressure washer surface can you use if you're doing a driveway and sidewalks and how many inches please
I normally use a 13 inch scrubber. The 3100 psi washer can easily power a 16in scrubber.
@@MikeM100 what if I have a 3000 psi would that work
Yes. A 3000 psi washer should work with a surface scrubber. Just make sure you have the pressure turned up to full strength
This video was very thorough and helpful sir, thank you for this information
Cool. I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.
We just bought ours and assembled it and gas it up and hooked it all up and it won't crank! I did exactly what you did in your video 🤷🏼♀️
You didn't mention oil so I'm assuming that you put the correct amount of oil into it. I mention that because overfilling oil will prevent it from cranking. Also, make sure the water is on before cranking it. If everything is done correctly, including choking it, then I would return it to the store. These units are super-easy to use and SHOULD work even if almost everything is done wrong, so it sounds like you got a bad one. There seems to be a higher number of defective units in almost every product category than there used to be. Good luck with it. Thank you for watching my video. **** Please comment again later and let me know what you ended up doing, or post more questions if I can help.
Mine wouldn’t start until I released a little pressure in the gun
@@sm1l3y43 Some other people have also told me that. I'm not sure why that happens. Maybe it's due to manufacturing differences in the plants where that model is produced.
Great review!!!
Thank you.
Play with your vertical height. Mine came with wheels mounted on the washer but it needed more height to move faster and not be to hard on the deck. I used all thread rod couplings to raise mine and it works much more gooder. I had to reach a point where it cleaned concrete without cutting up the deck.
Great Honest Review and how to video!
Thanks. I appreciate you watching.
Can you tell me what kind of hose do you attach to the washer and the water source
Any standard green garden hose should work. Sorry about the late response.
I just bought this pressure washer and followed the instructions plus yours but can not get it to start, any advice?
When using the washing liquid tank, it doesn’t look like there is a shutoff on the clear line.
How do you switch from using detergent to not using it?
I just read an answer to my question here, so no need to answer.
Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Man you done a good job ,everything is correct you said and more
Thank you. I appreciate you watching.
I love mine ! Winterized it with the recommend pump saver stored it. Just brought it out and water flows through the wand but can’t get any pressure? And suggestions….
Assuming there is a tip on your wand, it sounds like the pump is not engaging. I haven't seen that before. I use my unit every week and it hasn't given me any trouble.
What's a "recommend pump saver stored it?"
@@ThatOne77
Pump saver is a product that you put in the pump to keep any water from freezing and damaging the pump, also supposed to oil and condition the valves. I just use car antifreeze, use an old 3 foot section of hose and connect it to the pump, hold the end of the hose up while pouring the antifreeze in while pulling the cord turning the engine over a few times until antifreeze comes out the pump. Don't have to worry about the pump being damaged while store for winter.
@@timb7775 there is no such product as "recommend pump saver stored it."
@@ThatOne77
I took it as he used the recommended pump saver prior to storing it.
Just got mine yesterday. Added oil, hooked everything up and no water coming out. Water going in. Any idea?
If you are pulling the trigger on the handle and no water is coming out then maybe remove the spray hose. If water is still not coming out of the unit then I would return it to the store. It sounds like your pump may be locked up.
I looked at my until to see if there could be some reason it would not discharge water These units are very simple. If water is not coming out then it has a problem.
Another Great Video Mike!
Thanks.
Do you think I could use it to get paint off of a concrete porch what tip should I use and how much pressure
I've done that with the black or red tips. Worked good. Full pressure
Great review, thank you.
Thanks for watching!
I usually have to use channel locks to get the hose off my pressure washer after using because the built up pressure puts more of a bind on it making it hard to twist off by hand
Same for me. As the machine gets older the hoses get harder to remove. I usually just leave the wand hose on all the time.
Press the trigger on the wand to release the pressure. Hose should then unscrew easily.
I just bought one, the dipstick shows a millimeter of oil on both. Should I add out if box first thing? Does it come with enough oil in it? I'm confused because 2 had no assembly instructions. I returned the first one not knowing why no manual. Should I add the oil until higher on the stick?
I have two of these units and both had a very small amount of oil showing on the dipstick when they were new. The factory adds oil to test the units and then drains the oil. But very often they do not drain all of it so there may be a small amount of oil in the engine when you purchase it. The new unit should come with a small bag of oil and almost all of that oil is required to fill it. I would add oil until the level is correct on the dipstick. Be careful to avoid over-filling because that can make the engine run rough, or not crank at all.
Now I'm finding it won't start I tried everything.
These things are easy to start. If it won't start I would take it back. Sounds like you got somebody else's return that was re-packed and put back on the shelf.
Great video. Any idea where I can get a manual? My wife threw mine away with the box and packing and I want to make sure i'm doing everything correctly.
There is a manual on the craftsman website. Just Google craftsman 3000psi pressure washer manual. But be warned that their manual online does not exactly match the units that are in all stores because they produce different variations of the unit in different regions of the US and Canada.
Thanks for watching.
Great job!
Thanks!
What is the size of the hose on this model? 14mm 15mm ??
Sorry, I don't know. You can probably find it on the Lowes website.
Nice review. How loud is it? That is, is it about as loud as a lawn mower?
The price point, PSI, and the GPM make it appealing but I live on a 40 x 100 lot so I try not to be too loud for my neighbors.
It's comparable to a lawnmower. It does a good job and seems to last pretty good. I use it at least once a week and change the oil 3-4 times a year. It's a good value for the price. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
@@MikeM100 Thanks! I'll certainly consider it.👍
Good video just bought this and it cranks up fine but the water doesn’t come out. It flows through the hose fine but nothing out of the actual pressure washer, any help??
The first thing to check is that the pressure adjustment valve is turned on. That is the black plastic vertical thing that is mounted on the pump in the rear of the unit. I think it it turns off clockwise and on counter-clockwise. On my unit, it can be turned off so that no water will come out. Next, there is a red button on the side of the handle that you have to press before you squeeze the trigger. You probably already know that, but it's worth mentioning since not everyone is familiar with it. Also, make sure the nozzle actually has a hole in it for water to pass through. Someone a while back mentioned to me that one of their nozzles had a manufacturing defect and there was no hole in it. If none of those things work, then the pump or the wand may be defective.
I cover the pressure adjustment valve at the 5-minute mark in the video.
Got it worked out thanks allot 🙏
Cool. Thanks for watching my video.
That custom surface cleaner rig was the hoodest most ghetto thing I’ve seen today! You have a new subscriber
Haha. Thanks. It was definitely a cheapo rig. Worked good. It was stolen out of the back of my truck a week after I made the video. The guy who stole it left my new chainsaw right beside it. Criminals aren't very smart.
I've been having trouble connecting my water hose
You may want to lube it a bit with a bit oil oil. I haven't had any problem hooking mine up. Don't use WD-40.
I have a question I have the same pressure washer for work and I would have to use it somewhat daily ( would you recommend I use it for less than 2hrs I know you said it gets really hot after using it for 2hrs it doesn’t get that hot in the morning when I use it but I would typically power washer for maybe 1-2 hrs somewhat daily ) or would you recommend not to use it for more than 2hrs when it’s very hot outside?
I use mine at least once a week, all year. It handles the heat pretty good. Has never given me any trouble, even in the middle of summer. I frequently use it for 3-4 hours without stopping.
Thank you for this review! I found it very helpful!
Thank you. Thanks for watching. We have used our unit for at least 4-5 hours every day and it has performed well.
@@MikeM100 I just got mine but didn’t know exactly where to put the oil since other models have a CLEAR indicated place to put it. I wasn’t sure if it was those small yellow caps or not but you def helped me with this vid
Great video Mike. Thank you! 💪🏾
Thanks for watching.
Great video. You really helped me out. Thanks man.
Aewsome. That's why I do these reviews. Thanks for watching.
I have this same pressure washer, put it together today. Is there a way to turn on/off the soap dispenser?
No. The soap dispenser works all the time if soap is in it. That's what ne of the things I don't like about it. You can remove the clear plastic hose and plug up the port where the soap goes into the pressure pump.
Mine is making an engine surging noise until I pull the trigger and spray is this normal
Sometimes it does that when water has not full circulated through the pump. I have owned many pressure washers and they all do it occasionally. If it happens a lot, then I would take to back to the store.
@@MikeM100 OK thanks I've only used it one other time and I don't remember it making that noise I did have the water hose pretty much all still coiled up except for maybe 10 to 15 feet
It started once then we moved it and now it won't start again. Any suggestions, my husband thinks he may have flooded it and has waited 20 min and still won't start.
Sometimes, if the water is turned on before you crank it, the pump can build up a back pressure which will make it hard to crank. If that is the case, then maybe turn off the water and release the pressure on the wand and try again. Also, check to make sure there is not water in your oil. If the oil is milky or frothy, then I would drain and refill the oil. Good luck. If you are able to crank it, I would like to know what was the problem.
Could mine have the hose connector on a different place?, it's switched up on my model
The hose connectors are in the same position on every unit of that model I have seen.
@@MikeM100 thanks Mike. I'll check when I get home 🏡
Many thanks!
Excellent thank you
Does it take off bleach stains on concrete basement floors
Sorry, I don't have any experience with trying that. But now I'm wondering why someone would need to bleach a basement.....
Thanks. Great review
Thank you. I appreciate you watching.
So u don't put any detergent in the gallon when using pressure wash??
I do sometimes, but not very often. It foams up too much. When washing a car, I prefer to put fill a bucket with water and add the detergent to the bucket and wash the car by hand and then sprat it clean with the pressure washer. Thanks for watching.
@@MikeM100 I bought one last week and I just now finished assembling it. Which color tip should I use for my Deck because it has really bad (dark) discoloration from my BBQ pit
If I were you, I would mix up some Dawn Platinum dish detergent and with hot water and spray it on the deck with a spray bottle and let that soak for 30 minutes, and then pressure wash it with the WHITE 40 degree tip. That's what I've been doing and it has worked good for me. And then spray the deck again with a very diluted bleach solution to kill any mold and algie. Let the bleach solution dry and don't spray it off. But don't let pets lick up the bleach solution.
@@MikeM100 got it! Thank you! I will record a video in my TH-cam channel, before and after I processed it.
@@MikeM100 I'm your new subscriber,dude, I'm not a vlogger, but I like to record video if I find it interesting.
Great video thanks for sharing
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Would you still recommend this pressure washer for home use
Yes. I use it a lot and it's been an excellent value for the cost.
I find it difficult to get an accurate reading of the oil on the gauge due to the angle of the dipstick. Would you recommend filling it to the first threads up from crank case?
If you go to the threads then it will be overfull. What works for me is adding oil slowly and checking frequently. But don't screw in the dipstick when checking. I added about 3/4 of one quart and then added about an ounce at a time, checking with each ounce. The oil-fill point is one of the worst parts of the design. Our unit has held up well. We use it about 4 times a week and haven't had any problems yet. I'll post another video about the oil tomorrow.
@@MikeM100 thanks. Yeah I overfill then. Can't get it started now. Cranked for a second with choke on, but now it won't start. Every 6 tries, it locks won't let cord pull.
You will probably have to drain some of the oil and clean off the spark plug. Too much oil will get foamy and not lubricate good, as well as smoking a lot.
@@MikeM100 thank you
I was researching the problem you had pulling the cord to crank your washer. If the water is turned on and you have already pressurized the pump, then you may need to release the pressure before it will crank. I was not able to replicate the problem with either of my washers, but it does happen. Check out Steve's Small Engine Saloon. He has done a dood video on that specific problem.
2 Things- 1 use ear plugs or some sort of hearing protection and 2 You can buy a hose saver and a shut of valve so you can shut of the water by the machine instead of going back to the wall faucet to turn it on & off.
You're right. Ear plugs are a good idea. My younger self would have said that the sound isn't a problem. The older and wiser self agrees with both ear and eye protection. Thanks for watching.
Does it come with a pump saver or that's separate?
The pump saver is a lubricant that is purchased separately. I did a video a few days ago on maintenance and oil change on this pressure washer, where I showed how to use the pump saver.
@@MikeM100 Thanks will look for video
Thanks a lot 👍🏿
My pleasure. Thanks for watching. I hope the video could help you.
Super helpful. I have this power washer and have learned so much from you to be able to use it better - THANKS :)
Glad I could help!
The black tip is for the soap
Strangely, mine will only run if I have the choke to the left. If it's to the right before the pull, it will not start at all. If I start it up with the choke to the left, but push it to the right once it's going, it kills it. That way is actually how B&S wants you to start it, btw, according to their YT video. But like I said, it kills the engine for me. Not sure if I should just keep running it with the choke full on or not. Seems to work. I just don't want to break it. Any ideas, anyone?
It sounds like the choke spring was hooked on wrong at the factory. I have 2 of these units and both work properly.
@@MikeM100 I think you might be right. I watched a video about cleaning out the gas lines on mowers and it showed a gasket put on backwards. I imagine stuff like that happens sometimes. Thanks.
mine also chokes out if you push the choke to the right, i didnt have this problem when it was new but after a few hours it cut off and would only run if the choke was to the left.
Did you use any chemicals ?
No. I do not use any chemicals.
@@MikeM100 man I just bought me one i couldn’t get it to start I messed with the choke and everything no luck, any tips ?
If you followed all the steps in my video, then it should crank with no problems. It's a very simple and there is not much to tweak. Just add oil and gas and it should work. If the water is on, you may want to turn off the water and release the water pressure on the system. If it still does not crank after that then I would take it back. Thanks for watching.
@@MikeM100 thank you very much for the info 👍🏾🔥
You have a grom I’m guessing for a motorbike
I have a SSR 150 and SSR 250. Not bad for Chinese bikes.
I am putting this together and how or what did this come with to install the wheels....maybe it didn't come with it....anyone else?
The wheels, silver axel, and retainers for the end of the axle were all in my box. Was your box opened before you purchased it? Maybe somebody took out the hardware. That's happened to me before.
Picked up the 3300 for 175.
That's an awesome deal. I use my unit at least once a week and it's a good deal for the price.
Thanks Great Review, just bought the Craftsman 3300 PSI 2.5 GPM . Put it together today. will use it tomorrow. Good heads up on the oil. My manual says 20 0z oil- will add slowly to 17oz & check.
The pump sprayer strap and need pump sprayer for storage. Out of Box full pressure warning. Just everything. Great well spoken review. I also have the Briggs & Stratton engine. Ethanol Free always.
Cheers, enjoy your summer
Thanks.
iam 90% sure that motor is made over seas. labeled for BnG. this motor is used on tons of stuff these days under diff names and sold by many diff companys.
Made in China.
@@MikeM100 there not a bad motor if taken care of.. i had a few and they ran fine.
I got this one open box for 50% off. It was 175. Added a military discount and walked away after taxes for 168 bucks. Could not pass it up.
Awesome deal.
I’ve got the same pressure washer. One of the dipsticks did in fact have stripped threads. And you most certainly have to have a slanted an extended funnel to get the oil in. Definitely a poor design on Craftsmans part.
I just took it out the box and put it together and I’m pulling and it will not start
Make sure the red switch is turned to on, and choke it. The water also needs to be hooked up and turned on before you crank it.
@@MikeM100 had the same issue. Was told it was overfilled with oil It wasn’t. Returned it now about to see if the second one starts 😱
It's a good idea to slowly add oil and periodically check the oil level as you add it. The manuals that come with these units is not always accurate. My manual had several things wrong. Too much oil can definitely make it harder to crank, but not impossible. Good luck with your new one. Thanks for the comment. It would be nice to know if the new one works ok.
I think I broke my unit by overfilling the oil. It was cold out and pouring very slowly. I kept checking the level, but it showed it was low. I ended up putting the whole bottle in. But now it only runs for a few minutes and dies. I drained some oil out, but it still won’t run for more than 1-2 minutes.
@@RichHowell try removing the spark plug and turning the unit over and letting any oil in the cylinder drain out of the spark plug hole. That has happened to me before and it worked for me. You may also need to drain out all the gas and put in new gas. I don't know how it happens, but another viewer reported to me that they found oil in their gas.
The one I got was a piece of crap..almost impossible to start..
Mine lasted 2 years and quit, but I worked it hard. Their quality has suffered badly in recent years. I would take it back to the store and get a Stihl. That's what I did. A lot of people have been reporting toe that their units are hard to start.
When you see the pressure washing has foam you feel in your zone and you save 150 box
I've used mine for 4 hours straight , power washing my 1000 square foot shop ,and my driveway and my house all at the same time only stopping for gas and oil checks....it was never hot...,only warm Wich is understandable....so mabee u did something wrong ....mine works perfectly don't like the wand....but it's whatever u can get shorter ones...
My unit gets very hot, but still runs great 1 year later. I bought a second unit a few days ago. My son and his buddies started a pressure-washing business and they give both units a good workout and no problems so far. You're right about the wand. We bought longer wands.
You don't need any tool to take hose out
Make sure you don't try to disconnect the hoses for 30-45 minutes after using this machine. I got a nasty burn from the carburetor, trying to prevent mine from being left out in the rain or stolen. The design is unsafe, tell me they couldn't have put the choke where the carburetor is instead? And don't bother with Lowes service plan, it will not take any effect until the manufacturer warranty expires. Overall, I am not happy I spent $430 to be burned consistently. I let it sit 30 minutes before trying the 3 previous uses, and it still burned me. The water hose inlet is really difficult to break loose by hand, so use the channel locks if you don't have 45 minutes to a hour to wait around for that carburetor to cool off, or you risk burning yourself. I 2nd the hose and housing for it are sub-par, and agree that the hoses are too close together. It cleans very well, in all fairness. But the carburetor being that close to where you have limited space to disconnect safely, is ridiculous. Craftsman asked when I reported this incident, if I had an opportunity pre purchase to view if this may be a problem. No, if you have been to Lowes lately, you know they rarely have any built in the display. Plus, hard to examine something that comes in unopened box, that was on the top stock rack. My advice? Buy one where the carburetor isn't super close to the hoses.
Good points. I've also been burned because I touched the muffler housing when I wasn't watching where I put my hand. They could have definitely improved on that. I always soak it good when I'm finished to cool it off. Overall I'm still happy with the unit. I use it about 3 times a week on average.
That ain’t it my guy. You’ve just defeated the purpose of the surface cleaner. You spent 3hrs building a contraption that will dramatically reduce the surface cleaners ability to clean.The pressure from the water jets in the surface cleaner lift it up leaving the bristles to aid in the cleaning of the surface. The bristles agitate the dirty surface and the water jets wash the surface…Much to learn you still have…
2 years later, it's still working great.
That wiring is embarrassing to craftsman. When I get in a better place, I'm going to get one with a Honda engine. Such a shame that a Japanese company kills American companies.
So helpful. Thank you.
I'm happy to be able to help. Thanks for watching.