Generac 6590 3,100 PSI, 2.8 GPM, Gas Powered Commercial Pressure Washer (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

Purchased this pressure washer ( PW) with a bit of concern. Knew nothing of Generac engines, always been partial to Honda small engines for their starting capabilities. But this PW offered a triplex pump which is what I required in a PW purchase. The Honda engines in this class PW were the V product line, not the better X; so I figured that I would give the Generac a try since it was an OHV (overhead valve) engine like the Hondas. Well, my concerns were groundless-- this engine started up with the first try and ran flawlessly. I started and stopped the engine maybe 20 times over 2 days of pressure washing my home's eves and rain gutters; and the worst starting was 2 pulls. A lot of people say PW engines are hard to start in general; but that is not true. It is that these people are hard to teach!!. You MUST relive the pressure in the lance line by squeezing the lance trigger, EACH time you attempt to start the PW. Otherwise you are pulling against the water pressure in the pump-- and yes, THAT is hard to do. The unit comes with 5 washer tips; but I suggest that you also buy the Briggs and Stratton "2nd story" washer tips if you have high outside roof peaks as I do-- have a "walk-out" style home and the peak of the roof eve in the rear of the house is 40 feet above ground level. It is not so much that you can't reach the 2nd story with some of the 5 tips provided; but you can't siphon soap or chemicals to the second story without those additional tips. The black tip provided is the only tip of the 5 that will siphon soap or chemicals and it can not "shoot" that far with its water stream. The pink (soap) and the blue (rinse) tips in the 2nd story kit can reach the second story of your home with soap/chemicals and rinse them. You can't get much cleaning from any washer from a ground level lance to the 2nd story; but you can deliver mold and mildew chemicals to kill those stubborn stains with these additional tips. The Generac PW unit is on an extremely sturdy, very substantial cart-- along with it comes a durable 5/16" dia. 35 ft pressure hose and professional grade lance/wand. This unit is worth the money paid for it. It has a triplex pump-- best type of pump for this type of PW-- the pump even has a "thermal relief" if the water in the pump is not relieved quickly enough and overheats. (never let the engine/pump run for more than a minute or so without letting water run through any PW pump by opening the lance trigger. And the instruction manual provided is one of the best I have ever seen with regards to small engine run machinery. I bought "pump saver" with the unit and use it every time I shut the unit down over night. Overkill?-- maybe but the unit starts and pumps the following day without issue-- also use premium non-ethanol gas with a stabilizer; and run the engine "dry" every time I put it away. Again, maybe a bit of overkill; but my engines always start and do their jobs-- would rather spend a bit of time on the "shutdown" rather than spend tons of time on getting an engine, or pump, to work when I need them on a "startup".

It started great every time, but would not continue run. All of the Mfg. suggestions were followed. Still would not continue to run after one to three minutes of run time,;

Great Machine. I got this for Father's Day and, researched all machines in this class. I initially wanted a machine with a Honda engine. However, after reading more and more about them, it became very apparent that the pump is the most important part of the machine. I bought this because it had the triplex pump and was at a great price. I don't know much about Generac engines, but rationalized that if I took care of it with synthetic oil and proper maintenance, then it would be ok. Set up was easy. The machine came with oil already in the engine, but not in the pump. I removed the original oil and substituted Amsoil's synthetic oil for 4 stroke engines. I use if for all my machines from lawn tractor, weed wacker, etc.. No engine has even remotely hiccupped with it in place. I bought the AR Triplex pump oil instead of using the basic 30W oil they supplied. Everything so far has been great. Why the three stars then? The machine was missing the nozzles. From reading reviews, these machines routinely are missing parts, and thus was case with mine. I called Generac's customer service and got a very nice Rep who listened to my problem and told me she would Overnight the nozzles to me. After 5 days I got nervous. So I spent the $20 and bought my own OEM nozzles. Good thing to, because FOUR WEEKS LATER they arrived. The funny thing was they arrived in a NEXT DAY package. She technically did her job and gave the correct info to me. So, I would recommend this machine to anyone. The wheels work great. The hose attachment is in the front at a good working height. Not in the back near the ground which is awkward at times, especially if the hose gets stuck or frozen. The hose is a great length. I did my 16x20ft deck without needing to move the machine once. The pressure is also great. I did however buy a pressure reducer because I was nervous about washing my cars of damaging boards. This way I can start at a low pressure and once I'm confident that it's ok, can increase the pressure. All in all, I'm very happy with the purchase.

To give you a little background - I purchased this washer for doing things around my home. I have a 3,000sqft of concrete driveway and sidewalk, large garage, 700sqft of deck, and over 200'feet long by 5' high (avg) of retaining walls on my property. I wanted a machine that would last me for years - and I think I have it here. My requirements were simply - over 3,000psi, a triplex pump (wanted to not have to scrap machine if pump went), easy to operate and start/mantain. I looked at lower priced ones - just seemed like they would be boat anchors in a couple of years - and more professional ones - but realized this one had all I wanted.So - I have only used it for a day and tis is the good and ugly :). Easy to start and run (once I set the choke correctly (yeah that one was on me), powerful - easily hit everything I needed, did not kill me physically as other ones have, and was generally simple to set up, use, and put away. Not very loud compared to other washers - engine is a nice configuration, and the unit feels sturdy - like it was built to last. My only monor criticism is that some of teh levers are a bit to reach around the cover/frame - but not horrible. Just so you know - I also purchsed the longer lance (what a back saver) and the BE whirlaway 12" flat surface cleaner as I have so much flat area to clean. I had origoinally thought I would get one with a honda engine (mower has one) - but I like this engine just as much - if not more for its ease of use, quietness (relativly speaking), and lack of vibration.