I bought a Powercraft Pressure washer from Aldi about 18 months ago. It's been in the shed over the winter and I came to use it today only to find that the water just pi55es out of the bottom of the unit.

I no longer have the receipt, and reading round, it would appear that Powercraft have gone bust. I suspect that water has frozen inside the washer and split a pipe somewhere. Anyone else had this problem, or have any experience of repairing a pressure washer? Is it easy enough to take apart and do a DIY fix?

Unlike the all metal Bosch pump, the one you have uses plastic inlet and outlet pipes. One will have split, and the machine is a write off I'm afraid.

You should be able to get karcher spares or take it to a repair centre and have it fixed.

Best bet might to be to speak to Aldi and see what they say and if they say no, then it's worth taking it apart and finding the part.

That thread may help as it lists the people now selling their tools

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1845735

Did you pay on credit or debit card ?

Proof of payment by bank or credit card statement is acceptable.

Your contract is with the seller (Aldi) not the manufacturer - therefore they are responsible to repair / replace / refund you.

They will probably try and fob you off (Aldi pretty famous for passing the buck) but you should speak to a manager and point out their obligations under the sale of goods act.

There is also a helpline for Powercraft 08448750105 - you might have some luck there

I am sure the instructions warn against leaving the pressure washer in cold conditions through winter.

Thanks for the replies. I think the fact I have a metal shed on stone flags didn't

help with the freezing issue.

Looks like I'll have to get me screwdrivers out.

Just buy a new one, you know you want to

Jeezus, you spent 20k on a useless pimpmobile, and wont fork out 60 squid for a decent power washer.

hang your head in shame.

Powercraft ones aren't made by Karcher any longer. Think the last powercraft PW's were cheapie chinese made ones. The original Powercraft machines were made by Karcher, and used 2.1kw induction motors and cost about £80 at most. The equivalent Karcher would be somewhere above £200 I think.

But Grumpy's comment just reminded me of when I saw a £300,000 or so Lamborghini Murcielago filling up in front of me as I filled my £200 Favorit. He was filling up with standard unleaded when super-unleaded was at the pump right next to it. £300k on a car and he's trying to save a couple of pennies on petrol by using petrol graded lower than the car states is needed. You can't get more cheapskate than that! And if you spend £300k on a car, at least RTFM!

Edited 3 March, 201016 yr by anewman

The one I have cost £80 and has all the same fittings as a karcher.

Grumplestiltskin, don't talk to me about wasting money on cars........

Next winter, if you're storing it outside (cold shed/garage), make sure you drain any water out, lift it up off the floor and wrap it up in a warm blanket to prevent freezing.

My powerkraft washer has 3 years warrenty? doesn't yours?

My powerkraft washer has 3 years warrenty? doesn't yours?

Still got the box for mine up in the loft but I thought it was only 2 years warranty?

Well, I've had the ceremonial spanners out today to try and fix the cheap an nasty pressure washer. I started by taking it to bits thusly:

I then hooked it up to the mains and water supply to find water spraying with gay abandon oot the bottom of the compressor, above the inlet and outlet moulding. Bugger. here's me thinking I would be able to repair it using a length of garden hose and some double sided sticky tape. And an eggbox. And some glitter.

So the compressor had to come to bits:

I then discovered the problem. As moggytech rightly pointed out above, the inlet / outlet moulding is made from purest cheap plastic, and the case has cracked on the soap mixer section. You can see the lubricating grease from inside the compressor all over the moulding near the crack.

So it's fubarred. I dunno whether to just buy another cheap plastic moulding for it, try and get the same part but made out of metal and kryptonite, or just put the money towards a half decent pressure washer.

Sorry but Powercraft are w@nk. It's made in Germany and everything! Who'd have thunk the mighty Hun would get something like this wrong?

Bin it imho.

Sorry but Powercraft are w@nk. It's made in Germany and everything! Who'd have thunk the mighty Hun would get something like this wrong?

Granted yours has failed but plenty of others are standing up to the continued usage including mine............. :S

I would however be interested in getting some spare bits off you if you want to get rid of anything shown in the pictures? Tried to send you a PM but it says you can't receive any?

Edited 11 March, 201016 yr by Baker21

Sad when the Germans start using plastic like this. Strangely the Bosch Pressure Washers are not that expensive, yet have full alloy interiors bits. Good fun ripping stuff apart though

Sorry but Powercraft are w@nk. It's made in Germany and everything!

Made by Karcher, supposedly a good PW brand, surprised there's no mention of it inside the casing/bits. I dunno if the Karcher machines use similar design on the broken bits though.

Granted yours has failed but plenty of others are standing up to the continued usage including mine............. :S

I would however be interested in getting some spare bits off you if you want to get rid of anything shown in the pictures? Tried to send you a PM but it says you can't receive any?

I've emptied my message bin now so PM away! I'll be going down the route of a new machine now, so let me know. It's all been screwed back together now as well.

Made by Karcher, supposedly a good PW brand, surprised there's no mention of it inside the casing/bits. I dunno if the Karcher machines use similar design on the broken bits though.

I've been to B&Q today and sized up a new Karcher. had a poke round with my keyring torch and they do look very similar inside, so protection from ice and frost is a must. The Karcher ones look better made and use more metal parts inside their machines though. They only had 2 Bosch machines And they looked a bit weedy. Nice sturdy metal casings bolted to the pump though.

I quite fancy this little number: Karcher K5.140

2.0Kw motor

70 - 140bar variable pressure

9m High-pressure hose with hose reel,

T200 patio cleaner attachment

Variable Pressure Lance,

Dirtblaster Lance,

Rotary Wash brush,

external fine mesh water filter,

Integrated Detergent Tank,

Full Onboard Accessory Storage

B&Q have got it on sale reduced from £299.00 to £199.00. They also have 20% off if you spend over £50 tomorrow (12-03-2010), so that makes it about £160.00. Bargain!

I've emptied my message bin now so PM away! I'll be going down the route of a new machine now, so let me know. It's all been screwed back together now as well.

I've been to B&Q today and sized up a new Karcher. had a poke round with my keyring torch and they do look very similar inside, so protection from ice and frost is a must. The Karcher ones look better made and use more metal parts inside their machines though. They only had 2 Bosch machines And they looked a bit weedy. Nice sturdy metal casings bolted to the pump though.

I quite fancy this little number: Karcher K5.140

2.0Kw motor

70 - 140bar variable pressure

9m High-pressure hose with hose reel,

T200 patio cleaner attachment

Variable Pressure Lance,

Dirtblaster Lance,

Rotary Wash brush,

external fine mesh water filter,

Integrated Detergent Tank,

Full Onboard Accessory Storage

B&Q have got it on sale reduced from £299.00 to £199.00. They also have 20% off if you spend over £50 tomorrow (12-03-2010), so that makes it about £160.00. Bargain!

Very neat I like the drum to coil up the hose

I've emptied my message bin now so PM away! I'll be going down the route of a new machine now, so let me know. It's all been screwed back together now as well.

B&Q have got it on sale reduced from £299.00 to £199.00. They also have 20% off if you spend over £50 tomorrow (12-03-2010), so that makes it about £160.00. Bargain!

Will send a PM now........

£160 is a pretty good price........... :yes:

Audacity of Huge!

'Little and Large'.............