does my dishwasher need repairing or should I replace it?

Question

I have just moved house and I know how to operate the dishwasher and it's cycles. It doesn't matter which cycle it's on the dishes come out filthy. The glasses are more noticable than the crockery because they're clear. (well supposed to be) everything has little floaty things stuck to it, it seems to consist of the washing power and tiny particals of food. I have emptied and washed out the filter thingi on the bottom that collects food scraps and it doesn't change anything. There is no water in the bottom of the wahsing machine when it's finished but when it's operating it seems to be working just fine. It apears to be going through its cycles ok but everything has tiny grubby particals on it. I don't use it and hand wash now so we don't get sick. What does it sound like that's wrong with it? Are they worth repairing or should I just get a new one?
Thanks :)

Answer 1

Hi Nicky,
Don't throw your dishwasher away, you can fix the problem. I had the same problem with my dishwasher when I moved into my house. It turned out to be food scrapes and sediment particles in the very bottom of the dishwasher and the drain hose that goes to under the sink. It didn’t matter how many time I ran the dishwasher without any dishes in it to clean it out, the particle still remained.


How I fixed it was to disconnect the drain hose from under the sink and the power cord and pull the dishwasher out of the cupboard.

Open your dishwasher and take your filter out. (Not knowing your model of your dishwasher it hard to explain what to do but I will do my best.) You need to remove all of what you can from the bottom inside of the dishwasher. You should be able to see some water in the bottom of your dishwasher. Some dishwashers have a couple of stainless steel screws you can undo to expose all of the small filter tubes under there. Give all of things a good clean out. You will find they will be thick with muck.

(Just make a note) while I had those couple of funny looking plastic tube like things pulled out of the bottom of the dishwasher, I poured water down where they came out of. When I finished cleaning everything and went to start the dishwasher it kept trying to drain water out, because the seniors thought the dishwasher was flooded. Where I had poured the water into that area, I then had to get it out. I cut pieces of dishcloth and poked it down there to soak up the water.

To clean your drain hose get a baking pan or a tray and lay the hose in the tray. Let the dishwasher water drain out of the drain hose. Pour more fresh water into the dishwasher so the water keeps draining back out of the drain hose. Keep doing this still the water runs clean. Even better if you can disconnect the drain hose from the dishwasher and give it a good clean out. When you look down the drain hose you will see thick yucky build up.

Why it happens is the pump can pump water out of the dishwasher but the weight of sediment keeps falling back down to the lowest point then gets sucked back into the dishwasher when you wash your dishes.

Answer 2

When To Replace A Dishwasher

Answer 3

They are worth repairing but finding good and reasonable repair person is the problem. I stopped my ex-mother in law from buying a new one by removing the rubber band that got sucked into the impeller. It took 10 minutes to fix. However, had a repairman come out to fix it, there would have been at least a $75 trouble call charge. I guess it's still cheaper than buying a new one though.

Answer 4

Had the same problem the repair man said it was a filter problem and that it would mean that the dishwasher had to be stripped down at some expense and really it was not worth it so we bought a new one on advice we bought a bosch and were informed with this make the problem would probably never occur again

Answer 5

Try sluicing a good handful of household soda crystals through the filter area followed by a kettleful of boiling water and let it sit for an hour or two before running it (I'd do it empty - don't want to be bothered dragging out dirty dishes to rewash if it doesn't work!)

There are also dishwasher cleaners out there on the market - try Tesco or Sainsburys, or any good supermarket.

Good luck - I HATE washing up when my dishwasher fails!!

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
does my dishwasher need repairing or should I replace it?
I have just moved house and I know how to operate the dishwasher and it's cycles. It doesn't matter which cycle it's on the dishes come out filthy. The glasses are more noticable than the crockery because they're clear. (well supposed to be) everything has little floaty things stuck...

Answer 7

I would first suggest that you find where the washer empty's to your sink outlet "usually onto the S bend of your sink" and check that it's not blocked, you can usually hear it running out at your sink. Then pickup a cleaning tablet from your supermarket, I think there are a few brands available. Run the washer a couple of times and clear your sludge filter in the bottom again. See how you go? Cheers Marty Down Under

Answer 8

Sounds like its not draining the original wash cycle water completely. I've had to repair my machine once and noticed that each stage seems to have a time limit as well. I think the water is being pumped out too slowly after the first wash cycle and runs out of time before the rinse water starts filling.

I think you will find that it's the pump either blocked or worn out.

Answer 9

I have pink slime at the bottom of my dishwasher and cannot remove the filter to clean it.

Answer 10

Buy 2 new ones and give one to me