Kartcher washer dunked

[guydickinson]

I have a Kartcher K4 Compact. Worked perfectly until lent and briefly submerged by the lendee! Now all I get is water coming out of the gun at mains water pressure. The machine hums every so often but never breaks into the usual loud noise with water under pressure. It also seems a bit warmer perhaps. Any thoughts please? (Other than don’t lend it out!!).

 

[Mistroma]

Was it salt or fresh water? If salt, was it rinsed immediately with fresh? Did you dismantle it to clean, dry and lubricate? If not, then not surprised at the outcome. I think you need to dismantle it to investigate but delay likely to have caused more damage I'm afraid.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Pump motor permanently buggered.

 

[MoodySabre]

Mine worked after a dunking - but not for long - few minutes then it died. I now tie the new one to the mast.

 

[penberth3]

I have a Kartcher K4 Compact. Worked perfectly until lent and briefly submerged by the lendee! Now all I get is water coming out of the gun at mains water pressure. The machine hums every so often but never breaks into the usual loud noise with water under pressure. It also seems a bit warmer perhaps. Any thoughts please? (Other than don’t lend it out!!).

Assuming some details you haven't stated, this is a mains electric machine and it was live at the time it got wet? If so it's probably beyond repair.

 

[Graham376]

I would be looking to the borrower to repair or replace with a new one.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I have a pressure washer which only works correctly if you hold the trigger, wait until water appears at the spout, then press the on/off switch. It is years old though - Hozelock from memory. Repeat if you release the trigger.

 

[vas]

my K2 (iirc, smallest one they do) spend a couple of days underwater in muddy waters in a basement after 2023 floods here. Power was cut throughout the period.
A couple of weeks later, I took it apart, cleaned everything with deionized water, blow dried it and has been working fine since.
What you're describing is that the motor doesn't engage hence when you hit the trigger the mains pressure goes through the system and come peeing out of the nozzle.

Now if it's seawater things are much harder
if it was connected to the mains when it went swimming I'd scrap it immediately.

 

[ashtead]

I guess the motor is kaput -you might strip down -they are fairly simple once you open up but I guess first question is whether the pump motor is a write off. We had one on the seals went so replaced with more powerful spear and Jackson if you are looking to get a new one.

 

[wonkywinch]

I recently bought a Nilfisk for the boat. AO.com had it for £65 inc delivery last week.

I've got it's bigger brother at home but this is very capable, lightweight and small enough to pack away on the boat.

https://ao.com/product/128470913-nilfisk-c-10575-pressure-washer-blue-104091-692.aspx

 

[gregcope]

Check the filter in the mains water input - mine was partially clogged that stopped the motor engaging.

 

[guydickinson]

Thanks all very much. Yes it was sea water. It wasn’t cleaned etc straight after use (I wasn’t there!) but worked in the immediate period after. I’ll dismantle and look (decent hex keys ordered!). I did check the filter which was clear. Expecting the worst but thanks. I’ll notify the borrower.

 

[wonkywinch]

I’ll dismantle and look (decent hex keys ordered!)

They are probably Torx not hex screws but you do need a long handle to get down to them.

 

[chriscallender]

The motor bearings can sieze up, this seems quite a likely explanation if it has been under salt water and worked fine at first. If that is the problem I'm sure it is possible to replace the bearings pretty cheaply (I've done that with other motors in the past), whether it is worth the effort is another question.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I have a Kartcher K4 Compact. Worked perfectly until lent and briefly submerged by the lendee! Now all I get is water coming out of the gun at mains water pressure. The machine hums every so often but never breaks into the usual loud noise with water under pressure. It also seems a bit warmer perhaps. Any thoughts please? (Other than don’t lend it out!!).

Been in salt water + Left to sit for some time = Buggered.

 

[penberth3]

Thanks all very much. Yes it was sea water. It wasn’t cleaned etc straight after use (I wasn’t there!) but worked in the immediate period after. I’ll dismantle and look (decent hex keys ordered!). I did check the filter which was clear. Expecting the worst but thanks. I’ll notify the borrower.

Most electrics can survive a bit of water if they're cleaned, rinsed and completely dried. But, dunking with power on is the worst thing you can do. The worry is that something has shorted out or flashed over causing damage.

 

[Mistroma]

Bad enough dropping it in water, but seawater. Then not rinsing with fresh as soon as possible and actually using it in that condition. Wow! Bet you won't be in a rush to lend them something else.