Pressure Washer Warranty Issues

From Fozzee.net

This article references a Campbell Hausfeld PW1345 "130psi" electric pressure washer.

Pump Problems

This pressure washer came to me from my Grandfather, who had intended to use it to clean his siding and driveway. He could "never get it to work" and gave it to me after a few years of it sitting in the garage. I immediately drug it home and gave it a try. The pump came on, but the trigger mechanism didn't do anything, the gun just sprayed all the time. Additionally, the pump housing had started to leak water with a slight oil film. Disassembly of the pump unit indicated that the pump body was damaged (had a crack, which someone , presumably at the factory, had circled in oil pencil), and at least one of the "head bolts" was broken. I replaced the head bolt (After extracting the broken part) but the damage to the body was too extensive.

I called CH the next day and explained the problem, and how I had no receipt, and they were still interested in fixing it under warranty. I dropped it off, and about 6 months later, I picked up the "repaired" unit. The gun problem was still not resolved, but that's another story. At this point, it worked fine, as long as you didn't mind continuous spray.

The Gun Saga

This pressure washer has been an issue from day one. After having it repaired (long story, I'll get it posted sometime), I've used it a few times. I figured out a while back that the trigger doesn't work, that is, it's always spraying. I've finally decided that this is not compatible with my goals for a washer, and as such I started looking for a new gun assembly. Being a low-end model, the gun and hose are all one part (and the lance is CH proprietary), so to convert to another gun would be fairly expensive (read: I should buy a new one)... CH's website is less than helpful in finding parts for old models, so we'll see.

Conclusion

Today, I ran to Home Despot to pick up a new gun for the washer (they had a "universal" one that works with my existing lance and stuff for $25. So I get the whole thing hooked up, and turn on the water. The output hose flexes a bit, and the gun holds pressure! *Rejoice* When I turned on the power to the pump, it whined a bit, and the output hose flexed some more... as I started walking to the gun to give it a spray, I hear a "Woosh" behind me... I turned around to see water gushing from the washer case...

Upon further inspection, the pump cylinder had burst it's repair (Which looks like JB Weld... Way to go CH Warranty Center) and broke a head bolt. Suffice to say, I have finally decided to write off the whole thing, return the gun and go without the washer, after salvaging any useful parts of course.