I have a Karcher K5.85 pressure washer. I turned it on the other day and forgot to turn on the tap. Only a slight dribble of water came out. I realised my mistake and turned on the tap, but still no water came through. The water was coming from the tap to the pressure washer but wasn't coming out of the pressure washer. I tried it a few times but if you pressed the gun for too long it started making a lot of noise. Is it airlocked by any chance, and if so can I fix it? Or is it a bigger problem?

I've seen other pressure washers where you can easily disconnect the hose from the outlet and you let the machine run until the water runs free, but this outlet hose is on a reel.

Any help would be appreciated.

Angie, June 2008

Karcher 4.99.....as my machine was "pulsing" I fitted NEW cylinder head (relatively easy job) but when I tried to operate NO water comes out of the machine. The hose is clear and unfurled into the machine and I let it run (NOT switched on) for several minutes - NO water comes out!!!!!!

Bill, June 2017

To remove/replace hose on the K5.85: There are two torx (star shaped) screws on the winding handle. Remove these screws, remove the handle and pull the coupling clip that is now exposed. Pull out the hose when the clip is out.

Paddy G, July 2013

Unroll the hose...
there is a flap on the outside of the hose reel.. lift the flap and TWIST the outer part of the hose reel to remove.
there is a clip in a brass fitting... pull clip out (it pulls straight out) wiggle hose to free it from the connector..
first of all though I would check that the quick coupling is on properly, and do NOT use a 'stop' coupling as they frequently fail and stop water flow.

Julian Pearson, May 2011

I repair domestic pressure washers for a living.

Try running water through without your high pressure hose attatched, if plenty of water runs through then it is most likely your lance is blocked. However, if you have run the machine for a period wih insuficient water then valves may have melted or broken up in your machine, if this is they may have blocked the water flow.

However first try cleaning the filter beneath the water inlet which will simply unsrew, the water inlet is where your garden hose attatches. And also thy running it without the high pressure lance to see if that is blocked. If so either clean the filter or use a pin and backflush the lance.

If you are near the greater manchester area then feel free to contact me 0161 792 4118

John Barlow, July 2009

You should always operate the lance/machine as in run water through the lance/machine to purge the air BEFORE turning it on....RTFM......

DO NOT TURN POWER ON......Turn water on...... run water through Lance/Machine .....THEN turn power on WHEN and only when Water runs through lance uninterupted and continously......

Brian, May 2009

sounds as if nozzle may be blocked,get a pin and poke the end,

ray, June 2008