OT Dishwasher

RCP · Jan 3, 2015

Looking for help

We have a 2 year old Kitchenaid dishwasher that until recently did a good job. For the last few weeks it has not been getting the dishes clean. I took the wands and the bottom of the tub out and the pump screen. I thought I would find debris plugging the passages, but they were reasonably clean.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Rich

farmallstrong · Jan 3, 2015

Rich, I have run into this a lot we my plumbing business. 90% of the time it is the soap. The soap mfg. had to change their soaps to meet Gov. rules. These Gov. rule changes went into effect not that long ago. Try a different soap, we use CASCADE. Al

farmallstrong · Jan 3, 2015

Rich, I have run into this a lot with my plumbing business. 90% of the time it is the soap. The soap mfg. had to change their soaps to meet Gov. rules. These Gov. rule changes went into effect not that long ago. Try a different soap, we use CASCADE. Al

RCP · Jan 3, 2015

Al

Thanks for the info, I am not sure what we are using now, other than it is a liquid.

Rich

JohnHankel · Jan 3, 2015

I had the same issue this fall. Cleaned it all out and switched to Finish Powerball tabs. An appliance repair place also recommended using citric acid in the dishwasher. Works for us...

I guess different soaps work better than others depending on the water. Maybe call the local extension office and see what they recommend.

M w J · Jan 3, 2015

The screen you cleaned was it in the plastic part right below the bottom wand about 8 to 10 inch diameter if so There would be a smaller screen below that with a steel blade that runs next to it it cuts up food that makes it to the dishwasher. It is about 3 inches in diameter with a plastic cover holding it in place 1 screw holds the cover on if it plugs like ours does it won't clean the top rack.

RCP · Jan 3, 2015

Thanks for the feedback, I did go into the screen in front of the pump inlet, and I did find some debris at the pump impeller.

Cleaned it all out and still not getting the dishes clean.

Maybe I should tear it apart and go through everything again.

Rich

notjustair · Jan 3, 2015

I had been bitterly disappointed with dishwashers for many years. Until I bought this last one. It's a Bosch. It wasn't all that much more than the other that were supposed to be good quality.

Let me tell you - it gets EVERYTHING. Clean. I just leave it on auto and have it decide what the length needs to be. There is a light on the bottom of the door that shines on the floor to tell you when it is running - you literally cannot hear it run at all.

It is possible that your water has changed. They may be putting more of something in it or switched main wells. Water makes a lot of difference with lots of dishwashers.

todd hamilton · Jan 3, 2015

How is your hot water supply? Temperature is everything on modern dishwashers because they don't use enough water. If you have an electric water heater make sure you don't have a bad element. Also a dishwasher repair man told us not to use liquid or packets. If they don't dissolve completely it will plug it up and cause poor performance.

Bob · Jan 4, 2015

Are the spray arms turning? All it takes is one "nozzle" to plug or even partially plug to make the arms fail to turn, resulting in dirty dishes.

I am talking about the holes near the end of the arms that are at a different angle than the rest... at such an angle the water jetting out of them rotates the arms.

Dick2 · Jan 4, 2015

We've had a Bosch for 5 years now. It is much better than any of the other dishwashers that we've had. Worth the extra bit of money.

Chuckles46 · Jan 4, 2015

Before trying anything else, run it with a couple of cups of vinegar dumped in the bottom. Have seen marked improvement doing that.

showcrop · Jan 4, 2015

I have been in commercial dishwasher business for forty years. many things apply to both commercial and domestic. It is almost never the soap product, though soap is always the first thing blamed. most common is low water temp followed by inadequate water. Some machines fill by time . Low flow pressure = low water level = low pump pressure = poor performance. Most fill to a level, controlled by a float, usually in the front left of the tub, and the adjustment is on the outside underneath it. If the rushing water sound surges, strong weak strong weak it needs more water. I agee that Bosch is best. Among other things they have a horizontal shaft pump so the seal and thus motor last far longer than vertical shaft pumps. If you have hard water running a cycle with a quart or so of vinegar can clean the impeller. many states have adopted EPA recommendations to reduce Phosphates which are used to soften hard water, so manufacturers have subbed other materials. There are many products on the market that still do a great job in hard water so don't worry about that re formulation change either.

RCP · Jan 4, 2015

Further information;

We are on a well with a water softener and a neutralizer for acid, they both appear to be working, no issues with green pipes or calcium deposits.

We have an electrical hot water tank and there is a long run from the tank to the dishwasher. Therefore, we run the dishwasher with the heater element, so the water temperature should be OK, and it sure steams if you open the door in the middle of the cycle.

I will have to check on the water level, it seems like the water level should be up to the bottom of the door when it is full. So I should be able to stop the cycle and look inside.

Thanks for all of the advice, this needs fixed, so I can get back to working on the tractors.

Rich

NoNewParts · Jan 4, 2015

Thanks for the info on the soaps.
Been wondering myself..."What's wrong with this stuff?"
with various soaps.

Until you find the culprit with your dishwasher........
After supper, head for the kitchen..
When the woman asks what you are doing,
solemnly hold up your hand and tell her,
"This battle is between me and the dishwasher, I got the dishes until I WIN...."
keep em smiling

RCP · Jan 4, 2015

Ran some vinegar through the washer this afternoon.

I did notice that it appears that the water is not as hot as I remembered.

Any idea how hot it should be?

If not hot enough how should I troubleshoot it?

Thanks
Rich

showcrop · Jan 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 10:20:31 01/04/15) Ran some vinegar through the washer this afternoon.

I did notice that it appears that the water is not as hot as I remembered.

Any idea how hot it should be?

If not hot enough how should I troubleshoot it?

Thanks
Rich

These days 130. You said earlier that you have a hot water tank. it could be gas oil propane or themal store. Gas or propane have a T'stat exterior near bottom. Elec have them behind a panel usually one top and one bottom, and when I had an elec I kept the top T stat 10 degrees higher than bottom. Oil and thermos tore should have Aqua stat on the side. There could also be a mixing valve in the pipe a little downstream from the tank. You will need to look to see which way to turn the knob.

todd hamilton · Jan 4, 2015

run the kitchen faucet long enough to get hot water out of the tap before you start the dishwasher

RCP · Jan 4, 2015

I meant the water temperature in the dishwasher, when I ran it today with the heater in the dishwasher turned on, it did not seem as hot as I remembered. It used to be so hot it would push me back from the door when I opened it.

Thanks
Rich

showcrop · Jan 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 14:48:05 01/04/15) I meant the water temperature in the dishwasher, when I ran it today with the heater in the dishwasher turned on, it did not seem as hot as I remembered. It used to be so hot it would push me back from the door when I opened it.

Thanks
Rich

Could be a bad element but heaters not working is usually a burned off terminal. You get at it from underneath.

RCP · Jan 4, 2015

Thanks

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