Karcher K 3.48 M User Manual
K 3.48 M
English 2
Español 18
Français 35
5.962-727.0 12/07
HIGH PRESSURE WASHER OPERATOR MANUAL
MODEL OVERVIEW 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUC-
TIONS
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 6
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 6 - 7
USING THE ACCESSORIES 8
WORKING WITH DETERGENTS 8 - 9
TAKING A BREAK 9
SHUTTING DOWN & CLEAN-UP 10
WINTERIZING AND LONG-TERM
STORAGE
CARE AND MAINTENANCE IN-
STRUCTIONS
CLEANING TIPS 12 - 13
OPTIONAL CLEANING ACCESSORIES
TROUBLESHOOTING 16 - 17
4 - 5
11
11
14 - 15
Specifications
Max. Pressure* 1800 PSI
Max. Water Flow* 1.5 GPM
Amp draw 13 AMPS
Voltage 120 V
Part No. 1.601-710.0
Serial no.
* Max. Pressure and Max. Water Flow determined in accordance with PWMA Standard
PW101-8/01
Kärcher Customer Support
USA and Canada
Call: 1-800-537-4129 for help or visit
our website:
www.karcherresidential.com
Please take a moment to register your
pressure washer online at:
www.karcherresidential.com/warranty
Kärcher Customer Support
Mexico
Call: 01-800-024-13-13 for help or visit
our website: www.karcher.com.mx
Safety Alert Symbols
DANGER
indicates “an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury.”
WARNING
indicates “a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or injury.”
CAUTION
indicates “a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in
minor or moderate injury or in property
damage incidents.”
Owner/User Responsibility
The owner and/or user must have an
understanding of the manufacturer’s
operating instructions and warnings before using this pressure washer.
Warning information should be emphasized and understood.
If the operator is not fluent in English,
the manufacturer’s instructions and
warnings shall be read to and discussed
with the operator in the operator’s native
language by the purchaser/owner, making sure that the operator comprehends
its contents.
Owner and/or user must study and
maintain for future reference the manufacturers’ instructions.
2 English
MODEL OVERVIEW
1 Power cord with Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI)
2 Trigger gun
3 Trigger gun safety lock
4 High pressure hose
5 Water inlet with garden hose con-
nector
6 Transport handle
7 Accessory storage
8 Detergent tank (removeable)
9 Detergent suction tube with filter
10 High pressure outlet
11 ON/OFF switch
12 Vario Power Spray wand
13 Dirtblaster® (Rotary spray wand)
CAUTION
This unit has been designed for use with
cleaning detergents recommended by
the manufacturer. The use of other
cleaning detergents may affect the operation of the machine and void the warranty.
For household use only!
English 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING!
When using this product basic
precautions should always be
followed, including the following:
Read all the instructions before us-
ing the product.
To reduce the risk of injury, close su-
pervision is necessary when a product is used near children.
Know how to stop the product and
bleed pressures quickly. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls.
Stay alert – watch what you are do-
ing.
Do not operate the product when fa-
tigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Keep operating area clear of all per-
sons.
Do not overreach or stand on unsta-
ble support. Keep good footing and
balance at all times.
Follow the maintenance instructions
specified in the manual.
This Product Is Provided With A
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Built
Into The Power Cord Plug. If Replacement Of The Plug Or Cord Is
Needed, Use Only Identical Replacement Parts.
Risk of Injection or Injury – Do Not
Direct Discharge Stream At Persons.
High pressure jets can be dangerous
if misused. The jet must not be directed at persons, animals, electrical
devices, or the machine itself.
Wear safety goggles.
Do not use acids and solvents in this
product. These products can cause
physical injuries to the operator and
irreversible damage to the machine.
To reduce the risk of electrocution,
keep all connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plug with wet
hands.
The Trigger Gun Safety Lock PRE-
VENTS the trigger from accidentally
being engaged. This safety feature
DOES NOT lock trigger in the ON
position.
Do not use extension cord with this
unit.
WARNING
Do not spray electrical apparatus and
wiring.
Do not use with flammable liquids and
toxic chemicals.
Injection hazard: equipment can cause
serious injury if the spray penetrates the
skin. do not point the gun at anyone or
any part of the body. In case of penetration seek medical aid immediately.
This system is capable of producing
12400 kPa /1800 PSI to avoid rupture
and injury, do not operate this pump
with components rated less than
12400 kPa /1800 PSI working pressure
(including but not limited to spray guns,
hose and hose connections).
Before servicing, cleaning or removing
any parts, shut off power and relieve
pressure.
GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
This product must be grounded. If it
should malfunction or breakdown,
grounding provides a path of least resistance for electric current to reduce the
risk of electric shock. This product is
equipped with a cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and a
4 English
grounding plug. The plug must be
plugged into an appropriate outlet that is
properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.
DANGER
Improper connection of the equipmentgrounding conductor can result in a risk
of electrocution. Check with a qualified
electrician or service personnel if you
are in doubt as to whether the outlet is
properly grounded. Do not modify the
plug provided with the product - if it will
not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. Do not
use any type of adapter with this product.
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT IN-
TERRUPTER PROTECTION
This product is supplied with a Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) built into
the power cord plug. This device provides additional protection from the risk
of electric shock. If power is interrupted
in the line, the GFCI will automatically
re-close the circuit to the load after power is restored. Depending on the GFCI
model, it may be necessary to manually
operate the reset button to restore power to the GFCI load circuit. If replacement of the plug or cord is needed use
identical replacement parts.
WATER SUPPLY
(Cold Water Only)
CAUTION
When connecting the water inlet to the
water supply mains, local regulations of
your water company must be observed.
In some areas the unit must not be connected directly to the public drinking water supply. This is to ensure that there is
no feedback of chemicals into the water
supply. Direct connection via a receiver
tank or backflow preventer, for example,
is permitted.
Dirt in the feed water will damage the
unit. To avoid this risk, we recommend
fitting a water filter.
Garden hose must be at least 1/2
inch or 5/8 inch in diameter.
Flow rate of water supply must not
fall below 2 GPM (gallons per
minute).
Flow rate can be determined by run-
ning the water for one minute into an
empty 5-gallon container.
The water supply temperature must
not exceed 104°F/40°C.
Never use the pressure washer to
draw in water contaminated with solvents, e.g. paint thinners, gasoline,
oil, etc.
Always prevent debris from being
drawn into the unit by using a clean
water source.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS!!
English 5
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Required tools
A Philips Screwdriver, medium size
(not supplied)
for final assembly
Î STEP 1, 2:
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Î STEP 1:
Connect the high pressure hose to
the unit’s high pressure outlet.
Î STEP 3:
Î STEP 4, 5:
Î STEP 2:
Insert the spray wand of your choice
into the trigger gun. Press in against
the spring tension and twist into
locked position.
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Î STEP 3:
Connect garden hose to unit’s water
inlet.
Î STEP 4:
Connect garden hose to the cold wa-
ter source and turn water on com-
pletely.
WARNING
Do not use if above test fails.
Î STEP 6:
Unlock the trigger gun safety lock.
Trigger the gun to eliminate trapped
air, wait for a steady flow of water to
emerge from the spray nozzle.
Î STEP 5:
Plug the Ground Fault Circuit Inter-
rupter (GFCI) into a receptacle.
Press RESET button, indicator
should be “ON”.
Press TEST button, indicator should
be “OFF”.
Press RESET button for use.
We recommend that you test the GFCI
as part of your startup procedure each
time you use your pressure washer. To
learn how to peform this test on your unit,
visit http://www.karcherresidential.com/
gfci_test.php for detailed instructions for
your type of GFCI
Î STEP 7:
Turn on the high pressure washer (I/
ON).
The motor starts only if the trigger
of the gun is pulled and shuts off
when the trigger is released.
English 7
USING THE ACCESSORIES
WARNING
To avoid serious injury never point
spray nozzle at yourself, other persons or animals.
Always test an inconspicuous area
before cleaning with high pressure.
Vario Power Spray Wand
The Vario Power Spray Wand allows
you to adjust the cleaning pressure.
Î To clean at maximum pressure, the
wand must be positioned to the high
pressure setting (Max).
Î For lower pressure turn the wand
collar in the minus (Min) direction.
Î To apply detergent, the wand must
be positioned to the lower pressure
setting (Mix).
Dirtblaster®
This nozzle features a 0º pencil jet
which rotates 360º for maximum dirt
cutting action, effectively increasing
cleaning performance up to 50%.
This nozzle combines the cleaning
performance of a 0º pencil jet with
the surface coverage of a wide angle
nozzle.
Not recommended for soft materials, siding, painted surfaces,
decks or autos.
Always test an inconspicuous area
before cleaning with the Dirtblaster®.
WORKING WITH DETERGENTS
Detergents can only be applied at
low pressure setting (Mix).
Î STEP 1:
Install the Vario Power Spray Wand.
Set the spray wand to the low pressure setting (Mix).
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Î STEP 2:
Fill the Detergent Tank with the selected detergent.
Î STEP 3:
Turn on the pressure washer (I). Pull
trigger to operate unit. Liquid deter-
gent is drawn into the unit and mixed
with water. Apply detergent to work
area. Do not allow detergent to dry
on surface.
Î STEP 4:
To rinse, move the VPS out of „Mix“
position and pull trigger to operate
unit.
Î STEP 5:
Cleaning up: Always draw fresh wa-
ter through the detergent tank or si-
phon tube when done to flush any
remaining detergents from the injec-
tion system.
For best results see Cleaning Tips
for specific information on how to
clean different surfaces.
Always Use Kärcher Detergent for
Best Results
Kärcher biodegradable detergents are
specially formulated to protect the environment and your pressure washer. The
special formula won’t clog the suction
tube filter and will protect the internal
parts of the pressure washer for a longer life. For Kärcher Detergents, check
your retailer or visit our website:
www.soappac.com
CAUTION
Never use:
– Bleach, Chlorine products and other
corrosive chemicals
– Liquids containing solvents (i.e.,
paint thinners, gasoline, oils)
– Tri-sodium phosphate products
– Ammonia products
– Acid-based products
These chemicals will harm the unit and
will damage the surface being cleaned.
Use of these items will void the warranty.
TAKING A BREAK ..five minutes or more
Î STEP 1:
Release trigger and engage gun
safety lock.
Î STEP 2:
Turn pressure washer to OFF (0) po-
sition.
English 9
SHUTTING DOWN & CLEAN-UP
Î
STEP 1:
Turn the switch to OFF (0) position
and unplug cord from outlet.
Î STEP 2:
Turn off the water source.
Î STEP 3:
Press trigger to release water pressure.
Î STEP 5:
Disconnect the garden hose from
the water inlet on the unit.
Î STEP 6:
Disconnect the high pressure hose
from the high pressure outlet.
Î STEP 4:
Release trigger and engage gun
safety lock.
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WINTERIZING AND LONG-TERM STORAGE
Î 1: Disconnect all water connections.
Î 2: Turn on the machine for a few
seconds, until the water which had
remained in the pump exits, turn off
immediately.
Î 3: Do not allow high pressure hose
to become kinked.
Î 4: Store the machine and accesso-
ries in a room which does not reach
freezing temperatures. DO NOT
store near furnace or other sources
CARE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Cleaning the water inlet filter
Î STEP 1:
Pull out washer from the water inlet.
Î STEP 2:
Pull out water inlet filter with flatnose pliers.
of heat as it may dry out the pump
seals.
CAUTION
Failure to follow the above directions
will result in damage to the pump assembly and accessories and will void
the warranty.
Kärcher also recommends the regular
practice of using a pump protector like
“Kärcher Pump Guard” to prevent cold
weather damage during storage in the
winter months.
Maintenance
Î STEP 3:
Rinse out water inlet filter in warm
water.
Î STEP 4:
Reinsert water inlet filter and washer
into the water inlet.
The unit is maintenance-free.
English 11
CLEANING TIPS
CAUTION
Before cleaning any surface an in-
conspicuous area should be cleaned
to test spray pattern and distance for
maximum cleaning results.
If painted surfaces are peeling or
chipping, use extreme caution as
pressure washer may remove the
loose paint from the surface.
When using on surfaces which might
come in contact with food, flush surfaces with plenty of drinking water.
For additional cleaning tips and a
complete video library, visit our website:
www.karcherresidential.com
Deck Cleaning
(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse
deck and surrounding area with fresh
water. If using detergent, apply to surface at low pressure. For best results,
limit your work area to smaller sections
of approximately 25 square feet. Allow
detergent to remain on surface 1-3 minutes. Do not allow detergent to dry on
surface. Rinse at high pressure in a long
sweeping motion keeping the spray
nozzle approximately 3-6 inches from
the cleaning surface. Always clean from
top to bottom and from left to right.
When moving on to a new section of the
cleaning surface, be sure to overlap the
previous section to eliminate stop marks
and ensure a more even cleaning result.
House Siding
(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse
cleaning surface with fresh water. If using detergent, apply to surface at low
pressure (for best results, limit your
work area to sections of approximately
6 feet and always apply detergent from
bottom to top). Allow detergent to remain on surface 1-3 minutes. Do not allow detergent to dry on surface, if
surface appears to be drying, simply
wet down surface with fresh water. If
needed, use special wash brush attachment (not included) to remove stubborn
dirt. Rinse at high pressure from top to
bottom in an even sweeping motion
keeping the spray nozzle approximately
6 inches from the cleaning surface.
Cement Patios, Brick and Stone
(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse
cleaning surface with fresh water. If using detergent or Degreaser, apply to
surface at low pressure. For best results, limit your work area to smaller
sections of approximately 25 square
feet. Allow detergent or Degreaser to remain on surface 1-3 minutes. Do not allow detergent to dry on surface. Rinse
at high pressure in a sweeping motion
keeping the spray nozzle approximately
3-6 inches from the cleaning surface.
Always clean from top to bottom and
from left to right. For removing extremely stubborn stains, use the Dirtblaster®
Nozzle.
Cars, Boats & Motorcycles
(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse
vehicle with fresh water. If using detergent, apply to surface at low pressure.
For best results, clean one side of vehicle at a time and always apply detergent
from bottom to top, do not allow detergent to dry on surface. If needed, use
special wash brush attachment (not included) to remove stubborn dirt. Rinse
at high pressure in a sweeping motion
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keeping the spray nozzle approximately
6-8 inches from the cleaning surface
(distance should increase when rinsing
pin-striping or other sensitive surfaces).
Always clean from top to bottom and
from left to right. For best results, wipe
surface dry with a chamois or soft dry
cloth.
Barbecue Grills, Outdoor Power
Equipment & Gardening Tools
(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse
cleaning surface with fresh water. If using detergent or Degreaser, apply detergent at low pressure. Allow detergent to
remain on surface 1-3 minutes. Do not
allow detergent to dry on surface. Rinse
at high pressure keeping the spray nozzle approximately 3-6 inches from the
cleaning surface. For removing extremely stubborn dirt, it may be necessary to move the spray nozzle even
closer to the surface for greater dirt cutting action.
Patio & Lawn Furniture
(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse
furniture and surrounding area with
fresh water. If using detergent, apply to
surface at low pressure. Allow detergent
to remain on surface 1-3 minutes. Do
not allow detergent to dry on surface. If
needed use special Wash Brush Attachment (not included) to remove stubborn
dirt. Rinse at high pressure in a sweeping motion keeping the spray nozzle approximately 3-6 inches from the
cleaning surface. For best results, clean
from top to bottom and from left to right.
English 13
OPTIONAL CLEANING ACCESSORIES
Optional accessories are available to
further enhance your cleaning capabilities. These accessories are accurate as
of the printing date of this manual.
Please check our website for pricing
and up-to-date information.
Pump Guard
Specially formulated to protect your
pressure washer from freezing, corrosion and premature wear. The Pump
Guard also adds lubrication to valves
and seals to prevent sticking. Highly
recommended for all Kärcher pressure
washers!
Part No. 9.558-998.0
25 Ft. Extension /Replacement
High-Pressure Hose
Replacement hose fits Kärcher pressure washer with screw-on type gun
connections from 2400 PSI to
2500 PSI, Extension Hose for all Kärcher high pressure washers between the
original equipment hose and machine
up to 2500 PSI.
Part No. 2.640-850.0
66" Extension Wand (Four piece)
Need to clean second story windows or
other high areas? Increase the reach of
your pressure washer by up to 66" with
this extension kit. Includes 4 aluminum
sections for variable length. 66" fully assembled. Fits most Kärcher pressure
washers up to 2300 PSI. (bayonet)
Part No. 2.640-746.0
Rotating Wash Brush (bayonet)
For more effortless cleaning of all
smooth surfaces (painted, glass and
plastic) try Kärcher's Rotating Wash
Brush. Use it on your automobile, house
siding or windows. The water pressure
from your pressure washer causes the
inner brushes to gently spin, making
your cleaning job much easier. The angle of brush head is adjustable to help
you reach difficult areas. Excellent for
the application of detergent. A musthave accessory designed for Kärcher
pressure washers up to 2300 PSI. (bayonet)
Part No. 2.640-743.0
Soft Clean Washing Brush
Made with soft bristles that will not harm
painted surfaces. Easily attaches directly to the trigger gun. Ideal for stubborn
dirt on cars, boats, patio furniture and
other surfaces. Great for applying detergent. Fits most Kärcher pressure washers up to 2300 PSI. (bayonet)
Part No. 2.640-740.0
25 ft. Pipe Cleaning Kit (bayonet)
Need to clean blocked pipes, drains or
downspouts? Kärcher's pipe cleaning
kit is the answer! The pipe cleaner propels itself forward while simultaneously
flushing out debris. For example, insert
the cleaning nozzle in the base of a
downspout, pull the trigger on the pressure washer gun and watch as the nozzle shoots out leaves and other debris
while climbing upward. Connects directly to the trigger gun of most Kärcher
pressure washers up to 2300 PSI. (bayonet)
Part No. 2.640-747.0
Wet Sandblasting Kit (bayonet)
Why spend hours stripping old paint and
rust by hand using harsh chemicals?
Let Kärcher's Wet Sandblasting Kit do
the work! Attach the kit to your pressure
14 English
washer, add abrasive material and attack the rust and paint with our ecofriendly alternative. Fits most Kärcher
pressure washers up to 2300 PSI. (bayonet)
Part No. 2.638-792.0
Detergent Foamer Attachment
Ideal for applications which require a
thick foam. Simply fill the resevoir cup
with liquid pressure washer detergent to
generate a foam spray. Connects directly to the trigger gun. Fits most
Kärcher pressure washers up to
2300 PSI. (bayonet)
Part No. 6.964-507.0
T 100 Wide Area Surface Cleaner
For cleaning surfaces such as patios,
terraces and driveways without splashback, there is no better solution than
Kärcher's T 100. It saves time by cleaning a one foot wide area gently as it hovers, providing consistent, streak-free
cleaning. When you finish cleaning the
patio and driveway, remove the wand
and use the handle to clean garage
doors and other vertical surfaces. Includes two nozzles which spin at high
speed for optimum results. Our top selling accessory for Kärcher pressure
washers up to 2300 PSI. (bayonet)
Part No. 2.640-959.0
English 15
TROUBLESHOOTING
CAUTION
Symptom Cause Solution
Motor will not start On/Off switch is in the “OFF”
(0) position.
Power cord is not plugged in. Plug in power cord.
Electrical outlet does not sup-
ply adequate power.
Tripped GFCI plug. Press “RESET” button on GFCI
Tripped circuit breaker. Switch off pressure washer.
Unit does not
reach high pressure.
Output pressure
varies high and
low.
Diameter of garden hose is
too small.
Water supply is restricted. Check garden hose for kinks,
Not enough inlet water supply.
Water inlet filter is clogged. Remove filter and rinse out in
Spray wand is on low pressure position.
Not enough inlet water supply.
Pump is sucking air. Check that hoses and fittings
Water inlet filter is clogged. Remove filter and rinse out in
Discharge nozzle is obstructed.
Calcified gun, hose or spray
wand.
Disconnect the machine from the power
source before making any repair.
Turn switch to the “ON” (I) position
Try a different outlet.
plug.
The reset comes automatically
once the temperature of the
unit drops.
Replace with a 5/8 inch or larger garden hose.
leaks and blockage.
Open water source full force.
warm water.
Turn spray wand to high pres-
sure position.
Turn water on full force. Check
garden hose for kinks, leaks or
blockage.
are air tight. Turn off machine
and purge pump by squeezing
trigger gun until a steady flow of
water emerges through the
nozzle.
warm water.
Blow out or remove debris with
a fine needle.
Run distilled vinegar through
detergent suction tube.
16 English
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