Dishwasher Repair - who knows?

[SMASH]

I'm thinking maybe someone reading this knows about dishwasher repair. If so, please give me your input.

I've got an old G.E. dishwasher, and by old I mean maybe 20 years. It's gone a bit glitchy. Yes I know that calling for repair might cost as much as a cheap new dishwasher, and I'm OK with replacing it, but I think it can be fixed and while I'm removing (if getting a new one) I might as well have a go at seeing what's wrong eh?

It's a good dishwasher - looks nice, worked very well until recently, porcelain(?) interior, one of those things that rises up to wash from below in the middle, plus a rotating washer on bottom and on top. Comperable features seem to cost at least $400.

What seems to have gone wrong, best as I can troubleshoot, is that :

1. no water seems to be coming out of the top anymore and

2. the blast from the bottom seems very weak.

It goes through the cycles fine - water in and out, still heats, and it pumps from the bottom but it seems to do so weakly ... the water rises up almost to the top more like a yard fountain rather than blasting around at high velocity the way it should to wash dishes, so the pump works, at least to some degree.

Maybe there's blockage someplace? How would I check for that - just take things apart and have a look as best I can?

A friend is a plumber, if that helps any. Basically looking for input into what to check exactly - where to look and what to look for, any precautions, etc.

Thanks.

[Silaxian]

I am not an appliance technician, but it sounds to me like the water pump/motor is failing. Either that or a supply line is clogged.

You might find the following sites helpful:

http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/

www.repairclinic.com

Good luck with it.

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by Silaxian

I am not an appliance technician, but it sounds to me like the water pump/motor is failing. Either that or a supply line is clogged.

You might find the following sites helpful:

http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/

www.repairclinic.com

Good luck with it.

I'm no appliance expert either, but those are the first places I'd look, too. The supply blockage anywhere from the source all the way up to the pump inlet valve(s) is a distinct possibility particularly if you have hard water. The supply could also have a leak in the pipe or the fittings so the pump would be sucking in a lot of air, but you'd likely notice the signs. There could even be junk inside the pump, I suppose. I don't know how a dishwasher pump operates, but if there are any internal seals within, and they have started to fail, it's possible that the pump can't deliver adequate pressure to the high-pressure side. Of course it could also be the motor, too. Checking the water supply tubing and fittings and also the inlet valve might be the first place to look, since it's pretty easy.

Just rambling, but maybe there's something of value there.

[bongomania]

All I know is every landlord I've had, in apartments that had dishwashers, has made a big deal about how their tenants cost them so much in maintenance costs on dishwasher repair calls, and how every single time it was due to tenants failing to clean out the traps. Give every pipe and grate a cleaning, and see if that helps.

[FL Knifemaker]

I'm always been the type that always tries to fix something before replacing it. I've NEVER had much luck fixing appliances. The worst thing is working around all the sharp edges. The other thing is most of the fasteners they use are designed to be used ONCE Lastly, if working on an apliance ks keeping me from working in my shop on knives, it's not worth it!! Between the time spent, being cut and scraped up, and getting nowhere, I don't bother anymore

[baba]

Also consider the electrical efficiency that's been gained in the last 20 years. As with most high wattage appliances, you will save a great deal on electricity by buying a new one with increased efficiency. Look for Energy Star appliances.

Regarding repair, sorry, no experience.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

The worst thing is working around all the sharp edges.

....being cut and scraped up...

I found it funny that a man who makes knives for a living is concerned with sharp edges and getting cut. I don't know about the rest of you, but this made me laugh out loud, in a good way.



-Mike

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I found it funny that a man who makes knives for a living is concerned with sharp edges and getting cut. I don't know about the rest of you, but this made me laugh out loud, in a good way.



-Mike

Believe it or not, getting cut by knives hardly ever happens. The last thing I do before I pack them up and ship them, is sharpen them. Grinding belts are what gets me and..........I get cut to ribbons using my heat treat foil, that stuff is what's dangerous!!

[standupright]

i don't know what the water is like where you live, but you might want to try running some CLR through a couple of cycles while empty. could be that the jets are clogged with calcium / hard water deposits.

that's a cheap first go around.