Bought my first Subaru powered...

[Sayjac]

pressure washer today.

Story goes, been sorta looking for a gas powered pressure washer to clean and lighten concrete and clean decking etc. Didn't want to pay more than $200. So I proceeded to check slick deals and saw two offers the piqued my interest.

The first was for a Powerstroke PS80519 220psi apparently at some b&m Walmarts for $109, but it was a huge YMMV. Most it seems regular $230. One WM store in the area showed they had one.

Other was for a Northern Tool Ironton 2600 psi washer on sale for $199. Had a code/coupon that could bring it down to ~$175 plus tax. Closest NT showed it in stock. So off to NT I went check it out. Had a few in stock. No expert but looked ok. One negative, only 90 day warranty.

The WM showing the Powerstroke was just a few miles down the road, so thought I'd at least check but expecting nothing. Got to WM store and was directed to back of automotive. Immediately saw a Powerstroke with the price of $154. I said not $109 but not bad and better price than the NT washer. The box it came in though was really mutilated, almost like it had been used and re-sealed. That made me leery.

I only have a dumb phone so called home to get some more info on the Powerstroke, it wasn't the one on slick deals but a better one. Box made me think twice but a young clerk helping me, said if you don't like it or something wrong bring it back. Asked him to check in back to see if they had another, there wasn't. So took it and checked inside box before leaving, all seemed in order. Two young guys that helped me take it to my truck very helpful. The Powerstroke PS80947 2700 is what I ended up purchasing. As the comments on Amazon show the one complaint is how flimsy the box/packaging is. I can confirm that. Luckily inside of this one was pristine.

Very Satisfied with the price (kinda lucked out) and the service I received WM. Called store manager when I got home to commend the service from the two young floor clerks. Time will tell if the pressure washer is a good one but seems to be well made at this point.

 

[gathermewool]

Good deal. Make sure to update us on how it runs!

Not to hijack your thread, but your story reminded me of my shop-vac purchase from Sears. I ordered a BRAND NEW vac for a very nice price. When I went to pick it up, the guy in the pickup area came through the double-doors, rolling a shop-vac with its cord wrapped around the top out to me. I almost thought of the coincidence in his coming out to vacuum the area with the same vacuum I had just bought, when he ceased his trek in front of me and asked if I was [insert name here.] He had wheeled out the floor model, with 83% of the accessories and 10% full of [censored] from use around the sales floor! Haha!

Anyway, I had them scavenge another floor model to make it whole and ended up taking it for a substantial savings! I don't recall exactly, but I want to say that it was less than half the price of new, and has worked flawlessly for the past couple of years.

Sometimes it pays to take a minute more to decide on something, instead of immediately rejecting something based on first appearance.

 

[punisher]

Good engine, cast iron cylinder bore etc. I have a generator, and a pressure washer with Subaru EXs. Generator is ten years old, pressure washer about seven years, and still going without problems. Main thing on vertical units is the pump quality, or lack thereof.

 

[Panzerman]

You can buy a new pump on EBay for $60. Alot of times you can upgrade the psi while your at it.

 

[Donald]

I assume a vertical shaft setup? Not the best but probably good enough. When it breaks in 5 years you throw on a new pump.

Two things to make it last: 1) don't let it freeze 2) don't run it more than a minute or two with engine running and trigger not pressed.

 

[Sayjac]

Thought I'd update this thread. So turns out the Powerstroke I purchased is the PS80946 (asking new price ebay $325 plus shipping), the predecessor to the PS80947 linked above. It must have been sitting on the WM shelf for ~3+ years unsold, but it is/(was) most definitely a new unit. There was no oil in it, which it came with and added it. Also gas tank was untouched.

Added fresh gas connected all the hoses, fired up on the second pull and first or second subsequently and worked like a charm. Used it on some mildewed/stained concrete and it really got the job done nicely cleaning it with the 25° nozzle. Very satisfied with the results.

I greatly appreciate the suggestions. Made sure that when not when trigger not going to be pulled for a time, I just shut the engine down. Yes it is a vertical shaft, and I've made note about pump care.

So with the exception of the previously noted flimsy box/packaging, everything including the price has met my expectations to this point.

 

[bubbatime]

If you can take it back and get the $199 Northern Tool one, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do so.

I've never seen a worse pressure washer than a Suburu vertical shaft pressure washer in my shop. They are horrendous. The Northern tool one has a superior horizontal pump and a Honda GX200 clone engine, which is a good thing.

I know you are happy with it now, but take it from someone who has worked on a bunch of these, they are TERRIBLE.

 

[Sayjac]

Too late. Won't be seeing excessive use so guess I'll see how reliable it is for me. I'll update from time to time with use. So far though as noted, works as advertised.

 

[tig1]

My 5KW gen is powered by a Subaru engine and it performs very well.

 

[Sayjac]

Used the Subaru Powerstroke again yesterday on more driveway concrete cleaning and brightening, again worked like a champ. Engine started first or second pull each time, pressure washer worked perfectly. I like the compactness/footprint of the unit, not a lot to move around or store. The gas tank is not large but not so small that it becomes an issue with stopping to fill often. Could see if in commercial use it might be an issue, but for my use it's fine.

Checked the warranty, three years on the engine, two on the washer and service center not far either, so I'm content. It's already gone towards paying for itself with what I've used it for thus far.

 

[Islandvic]

If not already equipped, add an in-line fuel shut off valve and a fuel filter (the $3 kind w/150 micron rating for non-fuel pumped engines).

Those filters prob is more of a screen than a filter, but will still catch contaminate that my foul up carb.

One trick I learned to increase longevity of pressure washers is to turn everything iffy when done and disconnect the water inlet hose to the pump and disconnect the discharge hose.

Turn the ignition switch from start to off.

Then crankbthe engine over a few times. It won't start but will turn the pump and shoot some water out the discharge.

That way you leave the pump dry and then mineral deposits from the water don't form as quick on the seals and internals of the pump