Is the Champion 3200 PSI 2.4 GPM gas pressure washer right for you? Find out in our 2023 review.
We select, test, review and suggest the best products. We may earn a commission, if you buy something through our links.
Gas pressure washers like the Champion 3200 PSI Model #100384 are great for those medium to heavy-duty outdoor cleaning jobs. As far as gas power washers go, this model is very affordable. This dolly-style machine is compact and offers all the features you need for exterior home & garden cleaning purposes.
This is a relatively lightweight machine that would be good for homeowners who want to try gas pressure washers for the first time or who want to upgrade from an electric pressure washer.
Why choose a gas pressure washer
When you have a lot of exterior surfaces to clean or a lot of heavy-duty cleaning, nothing beats the power of a gas pressure washer. They’ll do everything from removing old oil stains from your driveway to stripping paint from barn siding. For farms or industrial jobs, they’re a must. You don’t need a power outlet, so as long as you have access to a water supply, you’re good to go.
Here are the pros of a gas pressure washer over electric:
- No power cord to limit reach & no power outlet needed
- Great for quick cleaning of large areas
- Best for tough stain and grime removal
- Versatile for a variety of jobs
Many gas pressure washers between 3000 and 4000 PSI can run between $300 – $1000, the Model #100384 from Champion is about as budget-friendly.
What do you get with a Champion 3200 PSI Model #100384
- 5-quick connect nozzles with onboard storage (0, 15, 25, 40 & soap)
- 224 cc single-cylinder OHV engine
- 3200 PSI
- 2.4 GPM
- CU score: 7680
- 25-foot hose
- 4-foot detergent hose
- Two 0.5 gallon detergent tanks
- High-performance Annovi Reverberi axial cam pump
- Oil funnel
- 12-inch wheels with never-flat tires
- 2-year limited warranty
- Free lifetime tech support
Most accessories, including the nozzles, hoses, and trigger gun, have onboard storage to keep everything at hand. The Annovi Reverberi axial cam pump is a high-quality pump designed to last a long time and to provide steady pressure for consistent cleaning performance. As one customer noted, however, the pump has a permanently sealed, non-serviceable bearing in the pump, so if that goes out, plan on purchasing a new pump or a new machine if the warranty is expired.
The fuel tank holds about 0.9 gallons. The oil capacity is rather only 0.6 quarts, but there’s a low oil shut-off sensor to protect the engine. Only 10W-30 oil is recommended.
For environmentally-conscious homeowners, this washer is EPA-certified and CARB compliant. Champion offers a 2-year limited warranty for both pressure washer and pump in residential applications and free lifetime tech support should you need it.
- Weight: 68.3 pounds
- Height: 38.3 inches
- Width: 18.4 inches
- Length: 26.8 inches
This is a pretty compact machine as far as gas pressure washers go. The handle has quick release buttons so you can remove it for storing under a workbench or shelf, etc. Customers really appreciated that, particularly those who don’t have a huge garage or shed.
Users have been impressed with the cleaning power of this machine. They’ve successfully cleaned cement patios, mildewed shed siding, cars, dried mud from mudding trucks, old chewing gum on driveways, barnacles off the bottom of a boat, and more. Homeowners noted they were able to clean siding without soap.
Reviews are mixed when it comes to noise. Some users thought it was quiet. Others said they had to use earplugs, which is a good recommendation for any lawn and garden equipment.
The only real complaints had to do with operation and design rather than cleaning performance.
What’s to love about the Champion 2300 PSI
Two words: Cleaning performance. Customers were able to clean a wide variety of surfaces and grime levels with ease. Several people were surprised that it could run for many hours at a time without overheating or losing pressure. Many reported that the machine is quiet, or at least not much louder than a push mower.
You also have the affordable price, not to mention the 2-year warranty and free lifetime tech support. Assembly is simple, and most of the owner’s manual is clear and easy to follow.
Whenever parts were damaged, most customers were able to easily reach Champion customer service and were able to get replacement parts quickly.
- Affordable price
- Great cleaning performance
- Good customer service
- 2-year warranty
- Free lifetime tech support
- Relatively quiet
- Compact
- Never-go-flat wheels
Rundown of the Pros
- Starting the engine can be tricky
- Engine may shut off if not completely level
- Detergent tanks not transparent
- Start cord can be strenuous to pull
- Hot caution symbol not very visible
- Hose feels stiff and may sit against hot muffler
- Customer service may be hard to reach on phone
Rundown of the Cons
What’s not so great about the Champion 3200 PSI
Occasionally, customers had service reps that didn’t seem to be familiar with this unit. A few customers found them difficult to reach by telephone.
Starting up the engine requires some practice. The red on/off switch is rather hard to see at first. Then you have to adjust the fuel valve, throttle, and choke before you even pull the starter cord. Pulling the cord can be physically strenuous for those with wrist issues, weak arms, or bad backs.
One customer burned his hand on the muffler shield. He didn’t notice the “hot” caution symbol on top, which is just sort of imprinted into the shield and hard to spot. A few customers said the hose was too stiff and would sometimes sit against the hot muffler, which resulted in melting holes in the hose.
Be careful when moving the machine while it’s running. The oil level sensor may be a bit too sensitive, so if you lean it too far while rolling, the engine can shut off. A few other minor complaints involved loose feeling wheels and detergent tanks that weren’t transparent enough to see the liquid level.
Basic startup
Gas pressure washers take a little more finessing than electric, so you will want to read through the operation guide in the owner’s manual before you get started and refer to it as you set up the unit. Once you’ve used the machine a few times, it should become second nature.
While the manual is pretty clear on actual operation procedures, customers reported that it wasn’t so clear about assembly. But, that won’t take you long to figure out. Upon unboxing the unit, assembly involves just a few simple steps. Snap on the the handle, attach the dashboard with 2 bolts, and attach the hose holder with another 2 bolts.
Next, add 10W-30 oil to the oil tank using the orange oil funnel (included). Fill the fuel tank with gas. If using detergent, fill the detergent tank(s) with desired brand. Consult your owner’s manual for specifics on how to use detergent.
Connect the wand to the trigger gun. Attach whatever nozzle you want to use first. Connect the high pressure hose to both the unit and the trigger gun. Connect your garden hose to the water intake valve. Turn on the water faucet. Pull the trigger to purge air from the hose and prime the pump. This may take a few minutes. When a steady stream of water flows from the nozzle, then you’re ready to start the engine.
Starting up the engine was a little tricky for some people due to a few easily missed steps. These are well described in page 13 of the owner’s manual, however, so be sure to refer to that.
Before you start the engine with the pull start, make sure the machine is on a flat, level surface. Turn the on/off switch to “on”. It’s a small red switch with a common I/O, with “I” meaning on. Rotate the fuel valve to the “on” position. Move the throttle level to the “fast” position. Move the choke lever to the “choke” position (left). Pull the starter cord slowly at first until you feel resistance. Then pull it fast. Once the engine starts, move the choke to “run” and adjust the throttle down.
This is not an exhaustive list. For more cleaning uses, see your owner’s manual.
- 0 degree (red): Concrete, brick or masonry. Small, concentrated areas only. Use with extreme caution. Can easily cut into surfaces and lacerate skin. Removes tree sap, gum, and mildew.
- 15 degree (yellow): Intense cleaning on hard surfaces. Can be used on siding, decks, etc, but could damage those surfaces if you get too close. Removes paint, mildew stains, and rust.
- 25 degree (green): Vinyl siding, brick patios, wood, and driveways. Again, use caution with softer surfaces. Start at least 18 inches from the surface, gradually moving closer if needed.
- 40 degree (white): Wide spray pattern with lower pressure that’s generally safe for most surfaces, including cars, trucks, boats, and patio furniture.
- Soap nozzle (black): Good for all surfaces. Low-pressure. Always use when applying detergent.
Pressure Washer Tips & Tricks
This Champion {Pressure washer comes with a 25-foot pressure hose, with M22 couplings. Can anyone let me know if the couplings have 14mm or 15mm threads?
(Extension hoses need M22 couplings and I think the standard thread is 14mm.. they sometimes come with adaptors to fit 15mm but this is inconvenient as well as leading to water leaks and decoupling during use!)