Karcher K 3.99M User Manual

K 3.99 M

English 2
Español 17
Français 33

5.961-620.0 05/05

HIGH PRESSURE WASHER OPERATOR MANUAL

Overview 3
Important Safety Instructions 4-5
Assembly Instructions 5
Operating Instructions 6
GFCI Instructions 7
Using the Accessories 7
Working with Detergents 8
Shut Down & Clean Up 9
Care and Maintenance Instructions10
Taking a Break 10
Winterizing and Long-Term Storage10
Cleaning Tips 11-12
Optional Cleaning Accessories 13-14
Troubleshooting 15-16

Specifications

Max. Pressure 1650 PSI

Water volume 1.6 GPM

Amp draw 13 AMPS

Voltage 120 V

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.

Part No. 1.423-235.0

Serial no.

Kärcher Customer Support USA

Call: 1-800-537-4129 for help or visit
our website:

www.karcher-usa.com/home

Please take a moment to register your
presure washer online at

www.karcher-usa.com/warranty

2 English

MODEL OVERVIEW

Item Description:

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

connector
6 Transport handle
7 Accessory compartment
8 Detergent suction tube with filter
9 High pressure outlet

10 On/OFF switch
11 Vario Spray wand
12 Dirtblaster® (Rotating spray wand)

 CAUTION

Follow the maintenance instructions
specified in the manual

This machine has been designed for
use with cleaning detergents 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

using 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

doing.

! 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.

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 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.

4 English

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 re­close 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

Dirt in the feed water will damage the
unit. To avoid this risk, we recommend
fitting a water filter.

! Water hose must be at least 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!

" STEP 1:

" STEP 2:

" STEP 3:

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

" STEP 4: Attach the high pressure

hose to the trigger gun.
Pull out the locking slide from the
right side of the trigger gun handle
(A), and insert the small end of the
high pressure hose into place (B).
Push the locking slide back into the
trigger gun (C) to lock the hose in po­sition (D).

English 5

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: Connect the high pressure

"

hose to the unit’s high pressure out­let.

" STEP 4: Connect garden hose to the

cold water source and turn water on
completely. Plug the power cord into
the power outlet.

" STEP 2: Insert the spray wand of

your choice to the trigger gun. Press
in against the spring tension and
twist into locked position.

" STEP 3: Connect garden hose to

unit’s water inlet.

" STEP 5: Unlock the Safety lock.

Trigger the gun to eliminate trapped
air, wait for a steady flow of water to
emerge from the spray nozzle.

" STEP 6: Turn on the high pressure

washer (I).

The motor starts only if the trigger
of the gun is pulled and shuts off
when the trigger is released.

6 English

GFCI INSTRUCTIONS

" STEP 1: Plug the Ground Fault Cir-

cuit Interrupter (GFCI) into a working
outlet.

" STEP 2: Press ’’TEST’’, then press

’’RESET’’ to assure proper connec­tion to power.
Note: The actual appearance of the
GFCI may be different from this illu­stration.

USING THE ACCESSORIES

1

2

 WARNING

To avoid serious injury never point
spray nozzle at yourself, other per­sons or animals.

Vario Power Spray Wand

! The Vario Power Spray Wand allows

you to adjust the cleaning pressure.
To clean at maximum pressure, the
wand must be positioned to the high
pressure setting (Max).
For lower pressure turn the wand
collar in the minus (Min) direction.
To apply detergent, the wand must
be positioned to the lower pressure
setting (Min).

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

English 7

WORKING WITH DETERGENTS

Detergents can only be applied at
low pressure (Min.).

" STEP 1:

Install the vario power spray wand.
Set the spray wand to the low pres­sure setting (Min.).

" STEP 2:

Fill a container with Kärcher deter­gent. Place the filter end of detergent
suction tube into the container.

" STEP 3:

Turn on the pressure washer (I).
Pull trigger to operate unit:
Liquid detergent is drawn into the
unit and mixed with water. Apply de­tergent to work area. Do not allow
detergent to dry on surface.

" STEP 4:

Always draw fresh water through
the detergent suction tube when
done, to rinse/flush any remaining
detergents from the injection 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.karcher-usa.com/home

The following Kärcher detergents are
available:

One Gallon ready to use

! All Purpose & Vehicle Cleaner
! Deck & Patio Cleaner
! Heavy Duty Degreaser
! Exterior House Cleaner

 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.

8 English

TAKING A BREAK ..five minutes or more

" STEP 1: Release trigger and engage

gun safety lock.

" STEP 2: Turn pressure washer to off

(O) position.

SHUTTING DOWN & CLEAN-UP

" STEP 1: Remove detergent suction

tube from container and insert into
1 gallon of fresh water. Siphon water
at low pressure for one minute.

" STEP 2: Turn off the water source.
" STEP 3: Press trigger to release wa-

ter pressure.

" STEP 4: Disconnect the garden

hose from the water inlet on the unit.

" STEP 5: Disconnect the high pres-

sure hose from the high pressure
outlet.

2

3

" STEP 6: Release trigger and engage

gun safety lock.

B

A

English 9

WINTERIZING AND LONG-TERM STORAGE

" 1: Disconnect all water connections.
" 2: Turn on the machine for a few se-

conds, until the water which had
remained in the pump exits, turn off
immediately.

" 3: Do not allow high pressure hose

to become kinked.

" 4: Store the machine and accesso-

ries in a room which does not reach
freezing temperatures. DO NOT
store near furnace or other sources

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.
Kärcher also recommends the regular
practice of using a pump protector like
’Kärcher Pump Protector’ to help during
storage in the winter months.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Cleaning the water inlet filter Maintenance

Pull out the water inlet filter with flat­nose pliers and rinse out in warm water.

The unit is maintenance-free.

10 English

CLEANING TIPS

Deck Cleaning

(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse

deck and surrounding area with fresh
water. If using Kärcher Deck Wash, ap­ply to surface at low pressure. For best
results, limit your work area to smaller
sections of approximately 25 square
feet. Allow Deck Wash 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 Kärcher Pressure Wash, 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
Pressure Wash to remain on surface 1­3 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 Kärcher Pressure Wash or De­greaser, apply to surface at low pressu­re. For best results, limit your work area
to smaller sections of approximately 25
square feet. Allow Pressure Wash 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 Kär­cher Touchless Vehicle Wash, 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 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.

English 11

Barbecue Grills, Outdoor Power

Equipment & Gardening Tools

(with or without detergent). Pre-rinse

cleaning surface with fresh water. If
using Kärcher Pressure Wash or De­greaser, apply detergent at low pressu­re. Allow Pressure Wash 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 Pressure Wash, ap­ply to surface at low pressure. Allow
Pressure Wash to remain on surface 1­3 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.

pressure washer may remove the

loose paint from the surface.

! When using on surfaces which might

come in contact with food, flush sur-

faces with plenty of drinking water.

! For additional cleaning tips, visit our

website at www.karcher-usa.com/

home

Recommendations

! 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

12 English

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 www.karch­er-usa.com/home for pricing and up-to­date 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 Karcher pressure
washers!

Part No. 9.558-998.0

Water Pumping Kit

Attach this accessory to your pressure
washer to quickly pump large quantities
of water out of a standing source, such
as a barrel or bucket. Fits most Karcher
pressure washers up to 2300 PSI.

Part No. 2.637-214.0

25 Ft. Extension /Replacement

High-Pressure Hose

Replacement hose fits Kärcher pressu­re washer with screw-on type gun con­nections from 2400psi to 2500psi,
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 Karcher 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 Karcher'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 Karcher
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 Karcher pressure was­hers up to 2300 PSI. (bayonet)

Part No. 2.640-740.0

English 13

25 ft. Pipe Cleaning Kit (bayonet)

Need to clean blocked pipes, drains or
downspouts? Karcher'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 Kar­cher 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 Karcher's Wet Sandblasting Kit do
the work! Attach the kit to your pressure
washer, add abrasive material and at­tack the rust and paint with our eco-fri­endly alternative. Fits most Karcher
pressure washers up to 2300 PSI.
(bayonet)

Part No. 2.638-792.0

T-Racer Wide Area Surface Clea-

ner

For cleaning surfaces such as patios,
terraces and driveways without splash­back, there is no better solution than
Karcher's T-Racer. It saves time by cle­aning a 12" 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 height-adjustable nozzles
which spin at high speed for optimum
results. Our top selling accessory for
Karcher pressure washers up to 2300
PSI. (bayonet)

Part No. 2.640-508.0

Kärcher Customer Support USA

Call: 1-800-537-4129 for help or visit
our website:

www.karcher-usa.com/home

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 Kar­cher pressure washers up to 2300 PSI.
(bayonet)

Part No. 6.964-507.0

14 English

Troubleshooting

 CAUTION

Disconnect the machine from the power
source before making any repair.

Symptom Cause Solution

Motor will not start On/Off switch is in the “OFF”

(O) position.
Power cord is not plugged in. Plug in power cord.
Electrical outlet does not

supply adequate power.
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

Not enough inlet water supp­ly.

Water inlet filter is clogged. Remove filter and rinse out

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

Discharge nozzle is obstruc­ted.

Calcified gun, hose or spray
wand.

Turn switch to the “ON” (I)
position

Try a different outlet.

GFCI will reset once the tem­perature of the unit drops.

Replace with a 5/8 inch or
larger garden hose.

kinks, leaks and blockage.
Open water source full force.

in warm water.
Turn spray wand to high

pressure 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.

in warm water.
Blow out or remove debris

with a fine needle.
Run distilled vinegar through

detergent suction tube.

English 15