Save me from buying new dishwasher!

[hanutedmansionmomma]

There are crumbs all over the inside when the cycle is done. There's a loud grinding noise while it's running, and anohter noise when the water is filling - if you turn on the sink while it's filling, it stops.

DH took the thing apart as much as he could and didn't seem to find anything. We also poured some Draino in the bottom...

Any ideas? More things to try? Is it ever worth it to call a repairdude for dishwasher?

TIA

ps - it's almost like the appliances can sense when I'm getting a tax return...

 

[Swimalie]

It sounds like a similar problem we had until a few weeks ago. We originally thought it was the motor but that had just been replaced. So we called a tech out and turned out it was the drain. Shortly after the drain leaves the dishwasher, it narrows and things can get trapped in there. The tech said he happens often. For us, it cost $56 to replace but that was with a deal (free service call since they had just replaced the motor and I was not happy the dishwasher was having issues again).

Is yours still under the initial warranty or a service contract? If not, the service call should be around $99 and then the part. Much cheaper than a new dishwasher. Good luck!

 

[lisaross]

How old is ur dishwasher?

I would take that into consideration and perhaps call the manufacturer of ur dishwasher and explain the problem and see what they say - if they have any idea, and how much for a house call...

 

[buckler]

Open the dishwasher mid way through. Is the water getting up to the upper rack? Is there enough water sitting in the bottom of the dishwasher? If not, your inlet valve is probably going bad. I had a problem where my dishes weren't getting clean and noticed there wasn't enough water in the machine. It would work if I opened it up between each phase (wash, rinse etc about 4 different times) and added a few quarts of water to the machine to bring up the water level to what it needed to wash the dishes. That got old really fast! My husband replaced the water inlet valve and bingo! that fixed it. My husband is somewhat handy so this was a DIY fix for him.

Also, check to see if the float is stuck in the upright position.

Tips on troubleshooting your dishwasher
http://www.repairclinic.com/Dishwasher-Troubleshooting

 

[buckler]

If it is a water filling problem, that Drano you added probably hasn't been rinsed out properly. Add water by hand to the machine and run through the rinse/drain cycle several times to purge the Drano out. I think adding the Drano was a mistake from what I've googled on it. You should not add Drano to a dishwasher.

Edited to add: run it without soap. The chemicals in the soap can combine with the Drano to create noxious, harmful gases. You need to get the Drano out ASAP. It can eat away at the seals. You may have created a bigger problem than you started with. Priority now is get the Drano OUT!!

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

dear god! who knew Draino was so bad for dishwashers obviously not me...

well, it appears the top arm is working, seems like enough water in bottom...we ran it empty, still making weird noises.

thanks for the troubleshooting link - will try that next.

Went to Walmart and got a dish draining rack for the sink last nite. I refuse to spend $ on a new washer right now, so we'll be handwashing until I calm down and agree to put $ into it

It's a mere 7 years old too. I have a cat that's 19 for crying out loud

thanks everyone

 

[kellia]

I thought ours was broken a few weeks ago, it was making a horrible noise when it started. Turns out dd had been really lazy while doing dishes and the motor part was full of popcorn kernals and egg shells. Luckily, dh was able to get it all out and it seems to still be alive! Our appliances always break in Jan/Feb, too!