Kärcher K 2 Compact Pressure Washer

Introduction

This document provides operating instructions for the Kärcher K 2 Compact pressure washer. It covers safety, proper use, installation, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and technical specifications.

Safety Instructions

Hazard Levels

DANGER: Pointer to immediate danger, which leads to severe injuries or death.

WARNING: Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to severe injuries or death.

CAUTION: Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to minor injuries.

ATTENTION: Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to property damage.

Electric Components

DANGER: Risk of electric shock. Never touch the mains plug and the socket with wet hands. Check the power cord for damage before each use. Immediately have damaged cords replaced by authorized service. Ensure all current-conducting parts are protected against jet water. Mains plugs and extension cable couplings must be watertight and not lie in water or on the ground. Use cable reels that keep sockets at least 60 mm above the ground. Protect cords from heat, oil, and sharp edges. Turn off and unplug before maintenance. Electrical component repairs must be done by authorized service.

WARNING: Connect only to an electrician-installed supply compliant with IEC 60364. Connect only to alternating current matching the appliance's type plate. Operate via a residual current device (max. 30 mA) for safety. Use only approved extension cables with adequate cross-section (1-10m: 1.5 mm², 10-30m: 2.5 mm²). Fully unreel extension cables.

Safe Handling

DANGER: Use the appliance as intended, considering local conditions and other persons. Check components (hose, gun, safety installations) for damage before each use; replace damaged parts immediately. Do not operate with damaged components. High-pressure jets can be dangerous; do not direct at persons, animals, live electrical equipment, or the appliance itself. Do not direct jets at clothing or footwear. Vehicle tyres/valves can be damaged or burst; maintain a minimum jet distance of 30 cm.

WARNING: Do not use with other persons present unless they wear protective clothing. Not for use by children or untrained persons. Not for persons with limited physical/sensory/mental capacities or lack of experience/skills, unless supervised or instructed and aware of risks. Children must not play with the appliance; supervise them.

CAUTION: Ensure appliance stability before work to prevent accidents. The water jet creates repulsion; maintain firm footing and grip on the gun and lance. Never leave the appliance unattended while operating.

ATTENTION: During extended breaks, switch off at the main switch or pull the mains plug. Do not operate below 0 °C.

Other Risks

DANGER: Do not operate in explosive atmospheres. Do not clean objects with hazardous substances (e.g., asbestos). Do not spray flammable liquids. Never draw in fluids containing solvents or undiluted acids/solvents (petrol, paint thinner, heating oil) as the spray mist is highly flammable, explosive, and poisonous. Avoid acetone, undiluted acids, and solvents as they corrode materials. Keep packaging films away from children due to suffocation risk.

WARNING: The appliance must not be used on the drinking water network without a system separator (EN 12729 Type BA). Water passing through a system separator is no longer classified as drinking water. High-pressure hoses, fixtures, and couplings are critical for safety; use only manufacturer-recommended parts. Hot water may leak from connections after operation when disconnecting hoses.

CAUTION: Consider appliance weight during storage and transport to prevent injury. Prolonged use may cause hand numbness; wear gloves, keep hands warm, and take regular breaks.

Working with Detergent

WARNING: Use only manufacturer-supplied or recommended detergents. Other chemicals may compromise safety. Improper detergent use can cause severe injury or poisoning. Store detergents away from children.

Personal Protective Equipment

CAUTION: Wear protective clothing and goggles against splash back. High-pressure cleaners can generate aerosols that may cause health damage. Use shielded nozzles (e.g., surface cleaners) to reduce aerosols where possible. If not possible, use a FFP 2 respirator.

Symbols on the Machine

The high-pressure jet must not be directed at persons, animals, live electrical equipment, or the appliance itself.

Protect the appliance against frost.

The appliance must not be directly connected to the public drinking water network.

Safety Devices

CAUTION: Safety installations protect the user and must not be modified or bypassed.

Appliance switch: Prevents unintentional operation.

Lock trigger gun: Locks the trigger lever to prevent accidental start.

Auto-stop function: When the trigger lever is released, the pressure switch turns off the pump and the high-pressure jet stops. Pulling the lever turns the pump on again.

Description of the Appliance

The scope of delivery varies by model and is illustrated on the packaging. These instructions cover all possible options.

Illustrations on the picture pages

• 1 High pressure connection
• 2 Appliance switch "0/OFF" / "I/ON"
• 3 Storage for high pressure hose
• 4 Carrying handle
• 5 Storage for spray lance
• 6 Water connection with integrated sieve
• 7 Coupling element for water connection
• 8 Mains cable with mains plug
• 9 Nameplate
• 10 Trigger gun
• 11 Lock trigger gun
• 12 High pressure hose
• 13 Clamp for high pressure hose
• 14 Spray lance with high pressure nozzle (For normal cleaning tasks)
• 15 Spray lance with Dirtblaster (For strong contaminations)
• 16 Washing brush (Optional)
• 17 Foam nozzle (For effective detergent foam. Optional)
• 18 Detergent
• 19 Detergent suction hose (with sieve)
• 20 Fabric-reinforced water hose with commercially available coupling (Additionally required). Minimum diameter: 1/2 inches (13 mm). Minimum length: 7.5 m.

Proper Use

This high-pressure cleaner is designed for domestic use only. It is used for cleaning machines, vehicles, buildings, tools, facades, terraces, gardening tools, etc., using a high-pressure water jet, optionally with cleaning agents. Use only KÄRCHER-approved accessories, replacement parts, and cleaning agents. Observe information accompanying cleaning agents.

Environmental Protection

Packaging material is recyclable; dispose of it appropriately. Old appliances contain valuable recyclable materials; dispose of them properly. Devices marked with a symbol must not be disposed of with household rubbish. Cleaning operations producing oily wastewater (e.g., engine washes) must use washing stations with an oil separator. Work with detergents must be performed on liquid-tight surfaces connected to the sewer system; do not let detergent enter waters or earth.

Notes about ingredients (REACH): Current information is available at: www.kaercher.com/REACH

Installation and Startup

Illustration AB: Mount loose parts delivered with the appliance before start-up. Park the appliance on an even surface.

Illustration CD: Pull out the clamp from the trigger gun and plug the high-pressure hose into the trigger gun. Push the clamp in until it locks. Check the secure connection by pulling on the high-pressure hose.

Illustration EFG:

ATTENTION: Impurities in water can damage the high-pressure pump and accessories. Use of the KÄRCHER water filter (optional accessory, order no. 4.730-059) is recommended for protection.

Operation

CAUTION: Dry running for more than 2 minutes damages the high-pressure pump. If pressure is not built up within 2 minutes, switch off the appliance and consult "Troubleshooting".

High pressure operation

CAUTION: Keep a distance of at least 30 cm when cleaning painted surfaces to avoid damage.

ATTENTION: Do not clean car tyres, paint, or sensitive surfaces like wood with the Dirtblaster due to risk of damage.

→ Illustration HI

Operation with washing brush

ATTENTION: Risk of paintwork damage. Ensure the washing brush is free of dirt or other particles. Washing brushes can be used with detergent if needed.

Operation with detergent

Note: Detergent can only be added when the device is operated in low pressure mode.

→ Illustration JK

→ Illustration L

Recommended cleaning method

Spray detergent sparingly on the dry surface and allow it to react, but not to dry. Spray off loosened dirt with the high-pressure jet.

After operation with detergent

After using detergent, run the machine for approximately 1 minute for a clear rinse.

Interrupting operation

→ Illustration M: Release the trigger gun lever and lock it. For longer breaks (over 5 minutes), also turn off the appliance using the "0/OFF" switch.

Finish operation

CAUTION: Only separate the high-pressure hose from the trigger gun or device when there is no pressure in the system.

• Release the trigger gun lever.
• Turn off the appliance "0/OFF".
• Disconnect the mains plug from the socket.
• Turn off the tap.
• Press the trigger gun lever to release any remaining pressure.
• Lock the trigger gun lever.
• Detach the appliance from the water supply.

Transport and Storage

CAUTION: Risk of personal injury or damage! Mind the weight and storage of the appliance during transport.

When transporting by hand

Lift the appliance by the carrying handle and carry it.

When transporting in vehicles

Secure the appliance against shifting and tipping over.

Storing the Appliance

Park the machine on an even surface. Stow accessories on the appliance as appropriate. For extended storage (e.g., winter), follow Care section instructions.

Frost protection

ATTENTION: Appliances and accessories not completely drained can be destroyed by frost. Completely drain and protect them against frost.

To avoid damage:

• Completely drain all water: Switch on the appliance with the high-pressure hose and water supply detached (max. 1 minute) until no more water exits the high-pressure connection. Turn off the appliance.
• Store the appliance and accessories in a frost-free room.

Maintenance and Care

The appliance is maintenance-free.

Care

DANGER: Risk of electric shock. Before any work, switch off and unplug the appliance.

Clean the sieve in the water connection

Clean the sieve in the water connection regularly.

ATTENTION: The sieve must not be damaged.

• Remove the coupling from the water connection.
• Illustration N: Pull out the sieve (e.g., using flat pliers), clean under running water, and reinsert it.

Troubleshooting

DANGER: Risk of electric shock. Before any work, switch off and unplug the appliance.

Appliance is not running

• Push the trigger gun lever; the device will switch on.
• Check if the voltage on the type plate matches the mains supply voltage.
• Check the mains connection cable for damages.

Pressure does not build up in the appliance

• Completely open the water tap.
• Appliance ventilation: Switch on the appliance with the high-pressure hose detached and operate (max. 2 minutes) until water exits the high-pressure connection without bubbles. Switch off and reconnect the hose.
• Pull out the sieve in the water connection using flat-nose pliers and clean under running water.

Strong pressure fluctuations

• Clean high-pressure nozzle: Remove dirt/debris from the nozzle bore using a needle and rinse from the front.
• Check water flow quantity.

Appliance is leaking

Slight leakage from the pump is normal. If leakage increases, contact authorized customer service.

No detergent infeed

• Detach spray lance from the trigger gun. Work only with the trigger gun.
• Illustration O: Remove the filter from the detergent suction hose and clean under running water.
• Check the detergent suction hose for kinks.

Accessories and Spare Parts

Use only original accessories and spare parts for safe and trouble-free operation. Information is available at www.kaercher.com.

Warranty

Warranty terms are country-specific. Failures caused by faulty material or manufacturing defects will be repaired free of charge within the warranty period. Contact your dealer or nearest authorized Customer Service center and provide proof of purchase. Addresses are available at www.kaercher.com/dealersearch.

Technical Specifications

Subject to technical changes.

Declarations of Conformity

UK Declaration of Conformity: Declares compliance with relevant UK Regulations for the product, including designated standards like EN 60335-1, EN 60335-2-79, etc. Measured sound power level: 90 dB(A), Guaranteed: 93 dB(A).

EU Declaration of Conformity: Declares compliance with relevant EU Directives (e.g., 2011/65/EU, 2006/42/EC) and harmonized standards. Measured sound power level: 90 dB(A), Guaranteed: 93 dB(A).

Issued by Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG, Winnenden, Germany.