Thanks for posting this. I had the same issue and stripped it down as shown then put it back together and we’re back in business !

Found this video very useful for opening up my k4 compact which had water leakage inside. Had a leak from the control head which I order from eBay. Took maybe 30-45 mins to swap over and tes now all good. Thanks again

Thank you! This video was a great help in pulling my K4 Premium apart. The model and body is different but the pump assembly was pretty much identical. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to resolve the problem (no power at all) as I left my multimeter at work, I'm on holidays and wanted to use my cleaner so thought I'd test the electrical contacts as you suggest in the video. This was a good practice so will be more confident doing this when I have my multimeter. Cheers!

Thanks for the video. I had the exact same problem and 'the fix' worked . Basically, after sitting for a month or two the machine would not turn on. I followed your instructions, I disassembled the electrical part, measured everything for continuity, measured capacitor value, everything checked out ok, put everything back (with a bit of contact grease on connector pins) and it worked. I didn't open the motor casing, just the top.

I am having low pressure / pulsating problems with my K4. This video is a great help, thank you! I am hoping it is just a leaking o-ring as there is a small amount of water leaking from inside the outer case. I had a K2 Karcher for 7 years that worked flawlessly. The K4 problems started after 18 months.

Thanks man great video helped me out loads and sorted my karcher owe you a beer

Great vid.

Good vid. Mine is not as dead as this and looks like it has just got a split seal. Do you need to remove the quick release clip-on before you remove the 6mm hex bolts?

I had exactly the same experience. I think the problem was a jammed water pressure operated plunger which acts on the manual on/off switch within the white plastic housing. This works by de-activating the main switch when the motor has spun up and created a full on-line pressure in the output hose. When you pull the trigger on the lance this reduces the pressure and releases the plunger to allow the motor to run again. If for some reason the plunger has not released ie jammed then the motor will never run again. Dismantling this assembly releases the plunger so back to normal operation until next jam up. Good idea but poor build if this can get stuck, I bet many a unit has been dumped as a result!!!

Complete Krap not a toy for the boys because it is Krap

Whats that tool you are using please .. I want one

Hi Leon .Im a bit hopeless i got a k5 700 .As i start it has high pressure but only till you release the trigger the second blast is lower pressure. Disconnect it from the plug start it again high pressure even for minutes as long as i dont stop with the trigger .cant figure out what can be the problem .Any idea or hint would be greatful TIA .Thx for the video as well

UPDATE: Don't worry, a bit of tapping eventually set it loose. Found it was rusted up. It starts with a hum but after a while stops and does not give any pressure water. We can physically turn the motor. Hi. Great video. Trying to sort mine out but when we try lift the top off to expose the motor (as in 7:39 of your video) it won't, it just turns and won't lift off. Are we missing something? Thanks

Hi Leon, thanks for taking the time to make this video. I'm curious to know if you had any signs of trouble before the machine died? I also had a K4 compact that stopped working just like yours after about 18 months (used every two months for some light cleaning). I'd had trouble with it from the third use and it was returned for "repair" twice, but before it finally died it would repeatedly (about once every 30 seconds) cut out for about a quarter-half second during use. Did yours do that also? After a lengthy (and honestly farcical) interaction with Karcher support I was given a replacement K4 compact (despite my stated concerns about the possibility of this model being fundamentally flawed/underdesigned). The replacement, which I got yesterday, has started doing the same thing already, though the time between each cut off is about 5 mins... for now. I'm worried I'll be in the same situation again before long. Also, it sounded from the video like you have some experience with these machines, do you also believe they are not really fit for purpose? I've wasted so much time dealing with this machine! Thanks in advance for your thoughts and insights.

Just taken my K4 apart (it was buzzing but not running) attached hose with water on (no power on) and water was running past the low seal, Looks like I need a seal kit, What do I search for?

My K4 compact was working but leaked like a sieve, took the casing off and the clear evidence of leaking water was clear to see. I know where it was leaking, below cylinder head, so that's the obvious seal, plus any other's that I removed parts to take down. I think a new set of o rings would be in order. Does anyone know of a decent parts diagram that doesn't take to a retailers site?

Hi Leon - I'm having trouble here. My washer just buzzes/humms when turned on. Checked the capacitor which is 35mf - it reads 34.6mf on multimeter. OHMS test shows rise and fall 200k ok. When I test the plug you tested to the motor I get these results (Mine is a K4 Compact) C to N is 0.8. L to N is 5 L to C is 4.4 I'm not really sure what that means I was just measuring as yours but can see the difference - Do you know what that means please?

Hi Leon, thanks for putting up this video. My K4 compact has just packed up after about 5 uses over 2 years. What actually was wrong with your one, I see you tested the electrics but did't see what was wrong. I was hoping you were going to show us a hidden reset switch. Thanks again. Mike

Hi Leon, First of all, please excuse my bad english as I'm a b..y Frenchy. I have disassembled a K4.600 (Same pump and motor) and inside the pistons cage, there is the same mix of oil and water as you show on 5:27 step of your movie. I have understood (but not so sure) that we need to clean all this "mud" and put some new "oil or grease" after cleaning. But - which kind ? - how much ? - is there a place to refill ??? or at the end is it normal situation to have this mix between oil and water (I'm not a genius but I think no) ? I'm very disappointed to found that there is nearly no French clips about fixing... Which means probably that we are less clever than other Thank you for your advice.

My k4 stay on not turn off why ?

So what was the actual fault🤷🏼‍♂️

i have had the k4 model where you can put a bottle of detergent in the back for a couple of years and only used about 6 times and decided to get it out today to wash the car and driveway. got it all set up and when i turned the water on the water was pissing out all over the place. i took the case off and turned the water on again and it is coming from the bottom o ring that you describe in the video. How the hell this is possible when its hardly been used is beyond me.

Water cooled motor which when an 'O' ring fails can result in water getting into the motor, great that's all you need 240V mains electricity and water, water everywhere, some might say a bit of a death trap!!

Whack a megga on it 😀

When One buys one of these pressure washers you should bend over the counter and let the salesman insert a large object in your nether region because that's what they are really doing when you hand over your hard earned, and as for the frost damage excuse don't fall for it cos they don't try that one on in tropical countries where the plastic parts crack with the pressure just the same...

What was the fault? Totally pointless video!