Karcher lance problem

[Big Bad Boris]

I have relatively new Karcher K4 which among many uses I use for snow foaming occasionally, not sure it helps much with cleaning much but its fun

Recently I have had an issue of every change of lance, it takes all my strength to twist and wrestle the lance in and out of the gun. Then to accompany the swearing and cursing that accompanies that process (obviously wet hands don’t help!) the little yellow attachment always stays in the gun and I have to use long nose pliers to twist and pull it out.

When I look where the lance goes into the gun everything looks ok, can’t see any obvious damage. Anybody have any ideas what might be wrong with it?

I am at the stage where I can’t be bothered to use it as it more hassle than it’s worth, plus rolling around on the ground, red in the face, wrestling with, and swearing at a power washer is not a way for a grown man to act

[IRD]

Sorry I can’t offer any helpful advice but your post was really entertaining. Next time it happens is there a chance you might make a video?
I have a Karcher washer but haven’t had any real problems with the lance. It is sometimes a bit stiff but no more than that. Every so often I give it a spray with WD 40. The Karcher lances are pretty cheap or you might find one on EBay.

[Crazy Harry]

Not a karcher but I had the same problem on my (now vintage) Bosch. I put it down to friction on the two surfaces caused by micro particles of grit on the surfaces being trapped when the lance is fitted scoring the surfaces. Over time you get the ground glass stopper effect.

Sorted mine with a smear of petroleum jelly (vaseline). Not really a permanent fix just helps the plug cut a new groove into the socket

[Zed Baron]

Talking about relatively new Karcher's my neighbour was throwing her's out as it was dead, thought the motor/pump had packed in (no it wasn't the fuse). I rescued it and attached it to a hose and ran water into it for ten minutes with the lance disconnected, attached the lance and plugged it in and bingo good as new. They have a micro switch fitted that detects if not enough water is getting through and shuts down the system (stops pump running dry), how many Karcher's have been thrown out due to that?

[Angelus666]

Mine does exactly the same, it’s a real pain. I’ve tried wd40 and it helps a little bit. Try adjusting the spring with some pliers.

[IRD]

My pet hate with the Karcher was the plastic hose which kept kinking no matter what I did. Following advice on here I bought a 15 metre heavy duty rubber one which doesn’t kink and I can wash the whole car without having to move the machine. Not cheap but worth every penny.

[Mister T]

This is a new thing! I bought a new replacement vario lance for mine a few weeks ago and it's a right bugger to attach. Maybe try and find an older style lance? I'd send you mine, it only needs a new restrictor for the end

[Big Bad Boris]

Mine does exactly the same, it’s a real pain. I’ve tried wd40 and it helps a little bit. Try adjusting the spring with some pliers.

Glad I am not alone ! How do you adjust the spring please ?

[Big Bad Boris]

This is a new thing! I bought a new replacement vario lance for mine a few weeks ago and it's a right bugger to attach. Maybe try and find an older style lance? I'd send you mine, it only needs a new restrictor for the end

Here comes the obvious dumb question, which bit is the restrictor?

[Mister T]

This is a new thing! I bought a new replacement vario lance for mine a few weeks ago and it's a right bugger to attach. Maybe try and find an older style lance? I'd send you mine, it only needs a new restrictor for the end

Here comes the obvious dumb question, which bit is the restrictor?

I think this is the part it needs, the plastic one in my old lance had split:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oscenlife-Adap ... B07R555FGH

[pvr]

I changed my connector with a quick release one, so much easier ... Just clicks in place instead of this twist and turn.

[Big Bad Boris]

I changed my connector with a quick release one, so much easier ... Just clicks in place instead of this twist and turn.

What does that look like.. and where would I get one, sounds the ideal solution.

[Big Bad Boris]

This is a new thing! I bought a new replacement vario lance for mine a few weeks ago and it's a right bugger to attach. Maybe try and find an older style lance? I'd send you mine, it only needs a new restrictor for the end

Here comes the obvious dumb question, which bit is the restrictor?

I think this is the part it needs, the plastic one in my old lance had split:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oscenlife-Adap ... B07R555FGH

Ok thanks, should I be able to see the restrictor in mine somewhere?

[pvr]

I changed my connector with a quick release one, so much easier ... Just clicks in place instead of this twist and turn.

What does that look like.. and where would I get one, sounds the ideal solution.

I added the quick connector and new lance and foam bottle

[Mister T]

Here comes the obvious dumb question, which bit is the restrictor?

I think this is the part it needs, the plastic one in my old lance had split:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oscenlife-Adap ... B07R555FGH

Ok thanks, should I be able to see the restrictor in mine somewhere?

Ah, sorry mate, wrong end of the stick

I bought a new lance to replace a broken old one and found that the new style was a lot more difficult to fit. When I took the old one apart the piece I linked to was split, which seemed to be the route of the issue.

I was just offering to send you my old lance if you wanted it to repair