Thanks for the pump picture.
I was curious because the pump on my 16 hp Vangaurd is rated at 5 gpm @ 3500 so was wondering if I could go to 5.5 gpm if my pump ever fails. I could be wrong but I don’t think Karcher uses General Pumps on their machines or at least not from the factory. That should be a sign that the original pump had been replaced at one time. I’d take that as a good sign meaning that it is probably newer than the rest of the pressure washer.
I’m honestly not sure. I bought it setup how it is and I have all the manuals for the engine pump and the Skid. I just assumed it was original. I pray it’s a good one and last
From what I’ve seen a lot of guys use General Pumps around here. I think it’s a good thing the pump was replaced. I would think the manual would mention General Pumps if that’s what came on it. I could be wrong about Karcher not using them though. I just assumed Karcher made their own but I’m not too knowledgeable about pressure washers. I’ve been rebuilding engines, trannies, small engines, etc for a long time but pressure washers are new to me. There are some similarities though.
I’m sure it will last. Biggest thing is to always keep an eye on the oil and keep up on maintenance. If you use it everyday I’d check the engine and pump oil everyday before starting. Even if cleaning the flow switch fixes it I would still do the descaling of the whole unit. If you haven’t changed the engine and pump oil I would do that right away unless there were service records on when it was last changed. Without service records there’s no way to know when it was last changed. You need to know the hours or date so you know when it needs changed next. I always change all fluids when I purchase something new so I can keep up on regular maintenance. The manual should tell you what the service intervals are.
This unit has a tach/hour meter on the control panel. Oil has been changed every 50 hours. Have you ever used the rm 110 Descaler? I found it online but I don’t see any instructions.
That looks like the reed. There should be a screw/plug right next to where that came out. Look at the parts diagram above. What you pulled out is #1. You need to be looking for 3,4,5,6. In that diagram. You have to follow the “lines” at the end of each part and they lead to where it goes on the flow switch body. You can see that what you pulled out is right next to where the screw/plug is. They call it a screw on the parts list but it will look more like a bolt head or a plug with a slot to where a screwdriver fits.
My pressure washer isn’t at home right now or else I would snap a picture of mine and point to it. My fuel pump looks exactly like yours so I’m sure a lot of parts are similar.
If it doesn’t have the screw/plug next to the wire that might be the thermostat probe and possible you’re not looking at the flow switch. You need to look for the screw/plug next to the wire or reed.
Look at this picture. See where the wire goes into the flow switch? Look right next to the wire and you can see what looks like a bolt head. The bolt head is what you want to remove to get to the spring and magnet. You don’t have to pull the reed and wire out to clean but wouldn’t hurt to wipe it down since you have it out. If you look close at picture you can even see the spring inside the hole. The magnet will be right behind it.
I’m guessing that’s a thermostat probe although I’ve never seen one with openings on the end. The magnet would be too long to fit in the side like that. If there’s no plug right next to the wire I’m guessing that’s not it.
I can’t seem to find a parts list for you washer online. Let me email a place and see if they have it and can send it to me. If I see a diagram I should be able to tell you where it’s at.
Take a magnet and touch it to the reed or probe and see if you can tell if there’s a magnet inside. I wonder if it’s a different design than mine and the magnet/piston is inside the probe you pulled out. The reed valve on my flow switch doesn’t come in contact with water. The probe you pulled out obviously does because of the Teflon tape on it.
Look around, follow wires, and see if it could be anywhere else on the machine.
I wish I could be more helpful but I’m still in learning mode with pressure washers.
Can I email you? I called l karcher and got a manual
I messaged you my email address.
Message sent bud
If you look at diagram B9 and you will see the flow switch. To get to the piston/magnet on your flow switch you have to unscrew #14 called the screw union which is right below the Pulsation Damper #16. To find the flow switch look for the part that looks like a radish the size of a baseball. That’s the pulsation damper. You can unscrew the pulsation damper if it will make it easier to get to get your wrench on #14. If not, it looks like the pulsation damper will turn and come off with while your wrenching #14. Once you take #14 off you’ll gain access to #12 which is the spring and then #11 which is the piston/magnet. When you put it back together make sure the O-rings are in good shape (#13 and #15). When you located you’ll see a wire going right in beside it. You don’t have to remove the wire and reed but can to clean it. The wires are permanently attached to the rees so don’t pull hard after loosening bolt.
I just want to point out that you do not want to mess with #1 which is the safety valve. You can take it off if you need to flush out the housing #7 but do not take the cap off of #1 and mess with the inside with an allen wrench. That will adjust the amount of pressure it takes to release the safety valve. Mine has a bright green cap on the end covering the allen head screw on the inside. You can use a combination wrench at the base to take it off as one piece just don’t mess with the allen head screw. As long as you leave the plastic cap there’s nothing to worry about.
Thank you for all your help I’ve located what I need to take apart. I took the bulb thing off today and the spring looks to be all tangled up. I hurried up and put it back together as I had multiple houses to do today and my fleet work. I’ll tear into it tomorrow morning hopefully.
A tangled spring means you likely found the issue. When I ordered parts it took about 3 weeks to get them. I think the place I ordered them from then had to order from Karcher. I ordered a bunch of stuff though. I bet you can find a place that has the spring (#12) in stock. The part number is 5.3320057-0. It only costs $1.90. I would get a new o-ring (#13) too. 6.362-482.0 The piston/magnet runs about $40 but you should be able to clean up the old one as long as the magnet still seems strong. Just test it against a metal and see if it still has pull. If not, the piston is (#11 in diagram) part number 4.553-213.0
Be sure to flush out the inside of the flow switch housing too even if you have to unhook hoses or whatever else is in the way. That will keep you from flushing the flow switch housing out only to push that scale or dirt further through the system.
So it’s 2019 and still no burner. I haven’t needed it so I haven’t really put much effort into it. Is there a way to bypass this rm110 crap?
Are you asking if there’s a way bypass and turn off the flashing rm110 code in of the burner kicking on or do you just want to bypass your water flow and forget about the burner all together? I have mine setup to where I swap a few short jumper hoses and bypass the burner system all together since I don’t use it that much. I get more flow that way.
I wonder if there isn’t a fill tank somewhere and it just needs refilled with that rm110? It sounds like that rm110 is just added to aid in scale buildup and isn’t used solely for descaling. Kind of like how a low washer fluid light comes on in your vehicle only on your Karcher it prevents the burner from firing. I can’t remember but did the burner work right when you purchased it?
Can you email me that service manual we looked at last year? I had it saved on an old tablet but it no longer works. I thought I saved it to a flash drive but can’t find it. Let me know if you need my email again.
Did you ever replace that spring in your flow switch?
I was hoping you would reply. The burner worked great my first season. I did replace the spring and cleaned the magnet Parr really good. I also ran 1 gallon of descaler through the machine. I poured it in a bucket and just let it cycle for about 10 minutes. The byproduct was nasty black with yellow foam and chunks in the bottom of the bucket. Yes. Text me your address if you are comfortable with that. 7408197601
