I need a good pressure washer and just wanted to know what psi I should get. I like the Honda engines but am up for any suggestions. I would need one strong enough for cleaning engined bays and tires. Any other info would be great. Thanks

I think for about $900 you can buy a Honda 9hp @ 2500psi plus 50ft hose and gun with tips... That would last a long time, they just don't like hot water running threw them, so if your looking for a steam cleaner then go that rout.
http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/images.php?products_id=2834

Heres Honda link.
http://www.smarter.com/stats/scripts/redir.php?bt=2&ch=&ra=2&ct=UGV0cw%3D%3D&kw=UHJlc3N1cmUgV2FzaGVycyBIb25kYQ%3D%3D&du=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5nb29nbGUuY29tL2FjbGs%2Fc2E9bCZha T1DT2lvcGJxU01TdUtiTTZYLW93VEU5LURZQ2RmU3R6ZVh1Y2V IQ19HVTRRb1FBaURKaVp3R0tBOVF4ZEx6bmZyX19fX19BV0RKd nRtR3lLT2dHYUFCcnZxbl93UElBUUdxQkJ4UDBEQkxlVi03elp LQllYVVJMM1hua0RLWEMyQnVFRGVVYURSdyZudW09MiZzaWc9Q UdpV3F0el9QVXVYc1FkWVkyZFQxMk5TNHVHakdMckJkQSZxPWh 0dHA6Ly93d3cucHJlc3N1cmV3YXNoZXJzZGlyZWN0LmNvbS9ob 25kYS5waHAlM0Zzb3VyY2UlM0Rnb29nJTI2a2V5d29yZCUzRGh vbmRhX3ByZXNzdXJlX3dhc2hlcg%3D%3D&im=1&et=1250751600&rc=US

I have a pressure wash with a honda motor, if it isn't run regularlly monthly or better, the carb gums up real bad and has to be taken apart and cleaned. My sat twice for about 3 or 4 months and wouldn't run worth a crap until the carb was cleaned/rebuilt. The first time it was less than a year old. I won't have another honda! I ran dry the first time and put sta-bil in it the second time. The pressure wash shop I took it to fix it is phasing out all of their hondas, they hate the maintance too! They love customers to have them, 50 bucks to clean the carb! Check the internet about the honda motors, the guys with the snow blowers have the same problems.

I have had recent pressure washers with both Honda and the newer 190cc Briggs engine and I agree 100% with Tom, the Honda is just down right temperamental. It was also not the paragon of reliability that I thought it would be. The Briggs does everything better than the 160 Honda did for less money except for one thing, the Honda was stingier on fuel. I was so happy with the Briggs engine, I traded my Honda mower in on a new Toro with the same engine, couldn't be happier. All the issues I had with the pressure washer, showed up in the mower. The cost of parts for a Honda mower are just plain ridiculous.

To answer your question, 2500psi and 2.5 GPM will get 95% of things done a residential owner will need. Sears and others have these type of washers from $300-$400 depending on bells and whistles.

I'd be more concerned about the pump then the engine. Either a briggs or honda with regular maint will outlast the pump. I'd look at something with a CAT pump vs the axial cam pumps. I bought a Ridgid 3000psi pw from homedepot. Mine has an AR axial cam pump but thats fine for me. I don't use mine that often so it will last a long time. If I were going to get a new one today, I'd still go with the Ridgid 3000psi model. The new ones now come with CAT pump. The subaru engine is awesome. Its so easy to start, sips gas, and is extremely quite.

Def look for a good pump (Cat brand) it is the heart of the pressure washer.. The gpm is also something to look for, the higher the better.
A decent to start with is a 2500 psi/3.0 gpm, something in that range.

Hmm, I have a Star pressure washer from Northern Handyman and it is a 2400 PSI 6-HP Honda and has not given me any trouble in the past 7 years.

I empty the tank and run the carb dry. No problem starting next year. The engine is quieter than a B&S.

However, I may be looking into the electric ones when and if this fails. 1700 PSI and plug it in and go. Unplug, empty the pump, you're done.

Fwiw, A couple years ago I went the electric route and haven't looked back since. Got a 1800psi model at HD on sale and only thing I did was add an extension hose so I had 40' instead of the std 20' mainly for getting on the RV roof. I use it a couple times per year for the back patio, driveway, gutters, RV roof, and a few other things. Works well and is very quiet. If you don't need to use a pressure washer all the time a electric model may work fine for you.

I've only rented one, one time and it was an almost new 3,500 psi jobber!

Something like $25 for 1/2 a day deal from Westlakes Hardware years ago here in town.

Talk about stripping the paint off my Mom's old trailer big-time!

Well worth it by me!

pdq67

I have a the Honda 160 engine on a pressure washer and a lawn mower. When I bought the lawn mower the technician who was walking me through everthing with the mower made explicit directions to use premium gasoline with the Honda engine. He stated that the carb would have problems with the lower grade gasolines. I did have a surging issue with the pressure washer once but it worked itself out by the next tank of fresh gas so I have made an educated guess that I may have had a bad batch of gas.

I have a 2500psi/2.5gpm w/B&S and it's been great. Something I noticed is that you need to be sure you can supply plenty of water VOLUME to the unit. I used it from a spigot on the side of my house and it was adquate but when I hooked it up to the 3/4" yard hydrant that runs right off the mainline, it was outstanding. Water coming from the house line is throttled down through 1/2" lines is just not enough. The pressure is there, but not the volume....big difference in the two.

buzz

I have a pressure wash with a honda motor, if it isn't run regularlly monthly or better, the carb gums up real bad and has to be taken apart and cleaned.

That's not the fault of the carb or engine, it's due to todays fuel formulations. Just about any engine that sits with gas in it for more than a month needs stabil fuel stabilizer. I put it in every time I fill up my gas cans. I drained my motorcylce carbs one winter and regretted it. Draining them seemed to accelarate the varnish build up. Just keep stabilized fuel in them and they should start fine whenever you need them. The honda motor on my power washer starts everytime within 2 or 3 pulls - winter or summer.

Yeah, every tank of gas I buy for the equipment gets stabil.

I went through this awhile back too, I have an ungodly amount of aggregate drive and walkway I wash every year.
I first bought a 2500psi/2.5 gpm model and for real basic or small areas it was OK, but found right away it was not going to cut it for me. I took it back and bought a Troy built for Lowes, B&S engine (6 horse I think?) and 3200psi @ 2.8 GPM. It is considerably better and makes quick work (well, it still takes all darn day..) of my walkways and driveway. I have yet to have an issue with it I think going on 4 years now, but I always run the carb dry after each use and try to run the tank dry. I never store it over winter with fuel in the tank.
If you really want to make quick work of something or have lots to do, I highly reccomend finding the best one you think you can afford, and buy the next one up. Seriously.

Around here, our high octane blend, (92/93/94, whatever), doesn't usually have ethanol in it.

I don't quite understand this??

And it's pretty much proven that ethanol blends screw up small engines like weedeaters, lawnmowers and tillers and such.

UNLESS they are CARB approved NEW!!

pdq67