Craftsman 3.75 hp Gas Pressure Washer Clean and Carry 75200

Pros: Cheap, strong enough, portable, fuel efficient, quality build
Cons: Occasionally salty when it comes to starting, exposed hot areas

As I’ve mentioned in a number of previous columns – many of the humor variety, on account of the blatant idiocy and indignity involved in my blunderful summer – my roommate and I are spending our post-graduate summer pressure-washing decks for a ‘living.’ ...

Pros: Easy to carry, works great, good price.
Cons: Would not be good to use on paint removal.

I purchased my Craftsman Clean and Carry as a floor model from Sears two years ago. I initially had difficulty getting it to start so I took it back for adjustment. They adjusted it a little too far in the other direction so it is hard to stop but that ...

Pros: Make sure that after every fill-up, that you re-tighten all of the bolts!
Cons: Not gonna buy Craftsman power tools again. I still like their hand tools though.

It seemed like the perfect pressure washer. Relatively cheap, enough pressure for the average homeowner, and a Craftsman to boot.

During the first year, we only ran two tanks of gas through it washing our vehicles. Some of the time, I could not get it to start. That was my problem. Make sure that the water is turned on before you start pulling the rope!

Then came the BIG Saturday. A friend offered to pressure wash our modest vinyl-siding home. On the fourth tank of gas, he was almost halfway around the house, and poof! No more water pressure. He looked down and the pump had fallen off the bottom of the motor. All of the bolts had vibrated loose, losing the pump lubricant, and the engine dancing on the cart we had placed it on.

Sears said, "Your warranty expired last month." "We will call you back with an estimate for the repairs"

We said, "But it's a Craftsman!" "The brand that means RELIABILITY!"

Oh, well. It is only a $229 lesson. That is just about what it would cost a professional to come and pressure wash my house...

Pros: Easy hookup
Cons: Awkward, heavy, hot, not easy to carry, expensive maintenance, and unreliable.

The unit gets very hot and the engine has a tendency to stutter and sometimes stops. It is also pretty heavy, noisy and awkward. My first bad experience was the turbo wand. It broke, and I had to replace it ( time, gas and $49). A couple of months later, the pull-start got stuck. It appeared to be an easy fix, but it required a special tool to remove the housing unit screws.
I called the hot-line number for help, and their recommendation was to take it to a service center for repair( time, gas, money and no surprise). There are tons of this product for sale on E-Bay, and that should be a clue for you. I thought a Craftsman product would be reliable and dependable. I was wrong. It is too much trouble for a tool that I use about once a month or so. My recommendation- do your homework.