Pressure washer with 5hp Honda will ONLY run with choke on

Sounds like debris in the carburettor. The carbs on these are relatively simple things which come apart easily. Check for debris or water in the float-bowl, and ensure both your idle and main jets are clear and you can see daylight through them.

The problems you describe are usually indicative of a blockage in the fuel system somewhere in the carburator or a damaged gasket that's letting in too much air. With the choke on, the vacuum in the carb goes way up and forces more gas through. Remove the carb and check the gaskets and insulator if it has one. Then check the float bowl for debris and blow out all the passages in the carb.

Hello
You may have a clogged main jet in the carburetor, remove the engine shroud to expose the carburetor, the carburetor will be held on in most cases by tow bolts and then a basket underneath, remove the carburetor and flip it over in a rag to catch the fuel, then remove the screws holding the fuel float bowl on, carefully work the bowl loose to avoid tearing the bowl gasket, if you do damage it you will need a carburetor repair kit. Once the float bowl is removed remove the floor and the needle valve at the fuel inlet, set them aside, using a can of spray carburetor cleaner spray the inside of the carb and then blow through the jets with compressed air to dislodge the dirt (this is a must) that is obstructing fuel flow and causing the lean stall out, reverse and reinstall you should be good to go.

Pressure washer takes oil in two places:
Pump oil is 20-30 weight SAE non detergent and comes half way up/ do not fill more than 1/2 way
Engine oil is 10W30 and comes half way up dip stick
IF you overfilled the oil >>> DO NOT turn power washer on it's side or upside down to drain oil >>> because engine oil will fill carburetor

When engine won't start
We pull off air filter so we have direct access to carburetor
Spray WD-40 into carburetor while starting
The engine will fire on the WD-40

You can keep spraying WD-40 into carburetor to keep engine running while moving choke to see if engine will run on it's own
Squeeze gun trigger so water comes out gun and pump pressure doesn't stop engine

If engine will not fire on WD-40
Spark is suspect
Your spark plug gets power from ignition coil
If coil is bad you get no spark > and coil needs needs replacement
Take out spark plug, clean it with WD-40 and use a bit of sandpaper in the spark gap
Put spark wire back on plug
Touch threads of spark plug to metal part of engine > pull cord and look for sparking between spark plug and engine
If you do NOT have any sparking, then coil is bad
If you HAVE spark, then your spark plug needs cleaning or replacement

If engine fires on WD-40 but will not keep running
Then either fuel or carburetor are suspect
Loosen hex nut on fuel filter located below gas tank >> if fuel flows, then re-tighten hex
Next, pull off rubber hose connected to carburetor to see if fuel flows to carburetor
If fuel is flowing to carburetor, then the carburetor is suspect.
Small engine repair shop will have carburetor cleaners

Check exhaust
There is a screen over exhaust
Make sure it is clean of carbon build-up > Use WD-40

Change air filter

A couple of things....

Clean the air filter and make sure it is dry.

Check for any springs that have come off of the linkage.

With compressed air, blow out the carburetor.

Clean and clear out the fuel tube from the tank to the carb housing.

Be sure you have proper oil level.

Out of what you have said...it is something in the carburetor....probably needs a flushing with air.

Give it a try and post back!

I have a 5hp honda power washer sat for 2 years it will only run if I spray gas in the carb as soon as I stop spraying the engine stops I have took off carb and cleaned it

call up karcher and tell them your problem

Dear LC39B,
Is it possible you are blaming the wrong part of the machine? Did you try the Honda Motor on its own? I am asking , because if the pump of the washer has some fault or a bit jammed, this will demand a lot of power from the Honda. You can try the Honda with no water connection and no gun.
Regarding the Honda motor, you should check the electrical system also. I am saying this because you did not mention it, in your service procedure.
Regards,
MG.

I had the same problem 3 years old, maybe used 10 times - removed the air filter and the washer started fine. The air filter looked fine - I have not tried to replace it or figure out the root cause. I was just happy to get it running again :)

I have a Karcher pressure washer w/ a 5hp Honda engine. It only will run while the choke is pulled out and only runs at about half the rpm's. When the choke is pushed in.. it coughs, sputters and shuts off. Can you tell me how to fix this....