Karcher K4 greasing and assembly

[@Ninjavaz]

Just had the same issue. Replaced the top part of the pump. It’s a failing piece common to all of them. Couldn’t see the crack even with it disassembled and because the top metal shield covers it in use, you cannot really see where the leak is. I think I paid around £20 for the new part and machine is good as new again.

[@Mr4fksake]

Yeah also had to renew both top sections, fixed it all for 50 quid and then Lidl sold brand new ones for 50 quid with a 3 year warranty !

[@Mr4fksake]

Had the switch not working on mine, turned out to be the the internal spring that operates the alloy lever assembly onto switch, the spring had rusted and snapped, karcher rip you off for the complete assembly as they dont sell the spring separately, I managed to find a spring supplier who I got some from, rebuilt it which worked fine, also had to buy the top sections of pump assembly as they were causing a leak, rebuilt now works great ! 👍

[@stimpetta]

Yes, I have seen this too. A nice stainless steel spring would be good! I have also fixed a switch that was not working. These can be levered apart and the contacts cleaned, reassembled and save you £6 for a replacement switch :)

[@mileswhite8004]

Same issue here....Whee did you buy new spring? Please share links if you bought online?

[@tonyprice7873]

It’s the black plastic control unit that’s leaking. You’ve left it in the shed with water in it over winter and the water has frozen causing the plastic to break. It needs a new control unit IMO.

[@stimpetta]

That could be the cause. I found I made a mistake on reassembly. I put too much antiseize on the bolts and this seems to have stopped them going all the way in. After meaning out it all bolted together and worked

[@SimonRML2456]

I went to Kaercher here in Austria , you are meant to put 5W 40 oil in the chamber , not the grease ..... the grease is used for the seals and rubbers .....

[@stimpetta]

This is at odds with Karcher UK advice. Perhaps you have different machines in oz?

[@notmyrealname6065]

@@stimpetta I've just taken the head off my UK K4 and it is full of oil as one might expect. The Karcher site lists the oil. The grease (Karcher somewhat confusingly label it 'grease oil') comes in a small tube and is for smearing on the seals.

[@tontobb8956]

I thought oil was supposed to be put into snide to lubricant

[@GeertDroid]

YES it is !!!!

[@edwardrogers5769]

Replaced the leaking manifold but now the motor runs continuously without pumping!

[@noormancrabb6428]

A very useful video. Is there a torque setting for the head bolts?

[@stimpetta]

Thanks. I'm not sure what torque they should be. But very tight... to loosen them you should need to stand on the metal body of the assembly and loosen with an allen (hex) key in a on a ratchet.

[@garyowen598]

12 - 15 nm according to the spec sheet

[@CliveandJeanWest]

Hi I've had my K4 Full Control in bits several times and eventually replaced the cylinder head and hey presto it was no longer leaking. However after reassembling there is no high pressure. Does the bottom part of the cylinder head have to go in a specific place or as its triangular can it be any order. Or an other suggestions as to the problem and how its resolved? thanks

[@stimpetta]

Yes, the bottom part can go in any way around. Sometimes a very small bit of dirt can block the holes in or out of the plastic head. I (now) always take all the white plastic valves and springs out and give them a wash before reassembly. Hope this helps. Oh and don't forget to clean the pull out plastic filter where the garden hose connects to the machine.

[@S40TBS]

Oops thats life 👍

[@marknaylor5814]

What grease is it? Part Number? I can't seem to find out the correct type online I couldn't make it out on the video. Thanks

[@stimpetta]

Not sure of the part number. We think it might be some sort of PTFE grease (?) it costs £70 a tube from Karcher. TBH I might try some lithium grease at that price.

[@mileswhite8004]

@@stimpetta £70 a tube? a brand new K4 is only 200!! they clearly want it to be uneconomical to repair them.

[@GeertDroid]

DO NOT PUT GREASE IN IT !!!! You need to put OIL in it !!!!

[@Kaachinjsh]

This isnt too much grease over there?

[@stimpetta]

Yes in retrospect a touch too much grease. But it runs fine anyway :)

[@Kaachinjsh]

@@stimpetta can you please name that white grease? Thanks

[@stimpetta]

@@Kaachinjsh I used the super expensive grease from Karcher. But from what I've read Lithium grease would work too.

[@Kaachinjsh]

@@stimpetta is there any other similar greases?

[@garyowen598]

@@Kaachinjsh WD-40 spray grease

[@redprince3158]

Where has all the oil gone 😨