Keoki

They are sold at Walmart too. Walmart.com: Cosco World's Greatest Ladder, 17-Foot: Home Improvement

I recently got a PW used and the engine sputters out after about 5 minutes. The unit, including the 13hp vanguard engine look new, the air filter is not even dirty(the guy I bought it from said he bought it to start a moble detail biz, but he never got it going) he told me he only started it a few times in the last year or so, to "keep it running". I'm pretty sure the pump is fine, as while it is running, it is strong. I have checked all of the oil levels and they are fine. I drained the gas and put in new. It runs for about five minutes then it sputters out, it has backfired a couple of times also. I have not found any PW dealers up where I live, and when I called a local small engine(lawnmower) shop that I found on the B&S website, they didn't sound like they work on PWs. Where should I look to find a shop to service the engine? Thanks for any help.

Ok, so I found the fuel filter today and it was coated w/ 'varnish'... Thanks everyone for all of the great advice. I am sure you guy know this already but I am attaching a pic of the filter, the screene is in the top where I didn't see it. Thanks again.... Korey

When it starts to run rough(after a few minutes) it idles up and down but keeps running, when I pull the trigger it strains then dies. If I don't pull the trigger and close the choke it also dies. does that mean it is not getting the fuel?

Here you go, I bet this would be long enough for just about any job...

Took this guy 4 or 5 minutes to do a 3 foot section. I guess I would say it works great too if I had spent almost $200 on it. I live in a desert, no gutters...

Here is a youtube video of a comparison of 2 combination ladders. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J38uFtdK9pA]YouTube - My window cleaning tools, reviewed. Part 2[/ame] I have the Cosco(300lb) multi ladder and I think it's great. Home Depot has Gorilla(250 lb.) version on sale right now for $90. But it sounds like you have enough reach with the ladders you already have.

Wow Kevin that was a lot of info... I am usually not afraid to pull stuff apart (sometimes I can actually put things back together w/o extra parts), and I only paid $300 for the PW. But I think you guys are right about the fuel, and even though the carb diagram looks fairly simple, I may just have to bite the bullet and look for a good engine shop. I would hate to really mess up the engine rather than pay a few bucks to get it done right. I am just a little apprehensive because the first shop I called, the person that answered made it sound like they don't work on PWs but then gave me a "probable" diagnosis and price ($250 valve job) when I gave them a brief description of what was going on. You guys have been a lot of help, Thanks. I will probably mess with it a little bit longer but I will let you guys know what the problem is as soon as I figure it out...

Ok, today I changed the spark plug and used a product called LMT by blaster(I think it is similar to sea foam) it is supposed to loosen and burn any 'varnish'. The engine ran a minute or two longer but still died in the end. The engine strained while I pulled the trigger and reved up and down no matter what was going on(this was only after the first few minutes of running fine). I have not adjusted the unloader... The oil is kind of dirty(and was a little over filled), would that mess with the 'low oil shut-off'? Thanks again everyone for all the great info.

Ok, I will check the fuel supply better. Do you guys think that could cause the backfiring?

Thanks for the advice guys, I took the carb bowl off and there was a brown build-up on the bottom. I cleaned that out and made sure the float was moving freely. I did not see any fuel filter. It is still doing the same, it runs great for a few minutes then it starts to shutter and then it starts backfiring, then it stops. I am assuming that if it were the timing, it would not run fine at all, right? I will have to look around for the 'sea foam'. I will probably have to take it to a shop, but like i said earlier, I don't know of any shops that service PWs up here and the shop that is close didn't sound like they work on anything but lawnmowers. Thanks again....

I am looking for some equipment to start doing residental cleaning. I have come across this used BE Pressure washer and wanted to now how much I should expect to pay. The seller says they only used the PW for less than 40hrs. Description: 13 HP GX Comet Engine: Honda 13HP GX390 Pump: Comet ZWD4040G PSI: 4,000 GPM: 4.0 Weight: 175 lbs. Components: 16,000 Cleaning units, Chemical injector kit, 13" Pneumatic tires, 50ft Steel braided non-marking hose, "EZ" Start adjustable unloader, Thermal relief valve [145°], 4 Quick-Connect spray tips, Industrial Triplex Pump, 5,000 PSI Gun, 36" Insulated Lance, Direct Drive What do you guys think? Thanks.

I think I'll wait a little while longer and go w/ a belt drive. I keep reading here that they last much longer. Water Cannon has one for about $1300 w/ a General Pump TS4040, is that a durable pump? Thanks again everyone for all the great insight.

Thanks, used PW's are a little hard to come by where I live. This unit new is about $1200+ and he wants $950, but I thought that was too much. Because I just want to start w/ residential cleaning, would the 3800psi/4gpm DeWalt PW from HomeDepot work? Thanks for the help.

No it is not.