George -
I've had a DeWalt gas pressure washer for 3-1/2 years and haven't had any issues to speak of with it. It's not exactly in your target zone - 13 h.p. Honda engine with a CAT pump (a superb combination), 4 gpm, 3,750 psi. - but it's been great........and I have every reason to believe it will continue to serve me well. The only issue I've had was with the downstream chemical injector. It's got a check ball and spring in it that would get stuck after sitting unused for long periods of time due to the poor quality water I had been using. I tried squirting a bit of WD-40 in the input port of the injector after each use and I've never had the issue since.
I think a lot of issues with pressure washers can come from either inadequate equipment for the job (over-burdening a small machine that's not made for extensive use) or improper maintenance....some of it preventive like in my case with the chemical injector. If you don't run all the water out of the system/pump after using (if it's then going to sit unused for a long period), that can cause pump/seal problems over time. I flush mine out with about 1/4 gallon of RV antifreeze after each use. It's a good antifreeze solution (wintertime in OH) and it's also good for the pump seals. Change the pump oil and the engine oil as recommended and any good quality pressure washer should last for years.
JMHO!!
Bill
