dishwasher pump problem?
 

The dishwasher in our house is at least 15 years old. These days when we start it there isn't the immediate spray of water. I watched it with the door open and it takes a dozen or so restarts to get the spray going. If we leave it on the water dribbles from the nozzles. After a few minutes there's a burning smell. So now we've taken to priming it with a dozen or so starts. When water sprays with force we add soap and let 'er rip.

Any ideas what I should check? Worn pump? Leak in the supply line? OVP relay?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300SDL
~90 GE Potscrubber 1100

I would guess pump, especially with the burning smell. I wouldn't run it anymore.

Unless you can service it yourself, just get a new one. They are cheap enough now so as to be nearly disposable.

One thing I always consider when determining whether to replace or repair is, how long will it be before something else fails? Then if I have spent money on an expensive part and stil have to replace the dishwasher two moths later because an irreplaceable part failed, I have wasted my original investment.
.02

check for appliance repair places
 

I agree there is an end of life for appliances. On the other hand I have found an excellent appliance repair place nearby. My dishwasher started making noises - it turned out to be the thing that ground up food on the way to the pump. I got a rebuilt pump and a lot of instructions on how to replace for $35. It is still running 2 years later - on a 15 year old dishwasher. It did take 4 hours to pull, remove, replace, and re-install the dishwasher - my first time.

So think about your time and the age of the appliance. A new one may be $200-300 and quieter - then it will last another 15 years.

Good luck! We old diesel folks just have to try and repair something before getting rid of it.

Chuck

Roger that. I get trapped in these dilemas frquently because deep inside, I want to tear it apart to see how it works. Pride forces me to put it back together....

While I hesitate to recommend any repairs to a 15 year old machine, there are only two possibilities:

1) The intake valve is plugged with corrosion and doesn't allow the machine to fill with water. The result is nothing from the nozzles and a pump that is overheating.........hence the burning smell.

2) The pump, itself, has reached the end. However, I tend to discount this possiblity if you are able to fill it with water and get it to properly work. There is no "priming" of such a pump. The pump sits at the lowest point in the system.

If the problem is #1, the valve is $40.00 typically.

If the problem is #2, it's usually not worth it to get a replacement pump.

even at 40.00 the cost/benefit ratio isn't great enough to warrant the repair unless there exists some macabre jack-the-ripper curiosity for the appearance and engineering of the entrails of kitchen appliance.

a word to the wise from one who knows that trap, buy a new one.

And avoid anything sold under the Sears brand Kenmoore. A real POS.

Get a pump seal rebuild kit. There is most likely blockage in a pipe which can be easily repaired.

While there are certainly other considerations, namely the number of cycles that the machine has operated, the $40.00 taken by itself compares favorably with the $400. cost of a typical new machine. Granted, there are cheaper models, but at a 10:1 ratio, I'll take those odds.

If I can repair it myself, I can make a good argument to resist falling into the "buy new" philosophy. If I can do it with a M/B, I can certainly do it with a dishwasher.

Dishwashers are not like a Mercedes they will not run forever maybe it time for a new one. New one= Better cleaning, less energy used and are alot more quiet.

Sure they are. You can repair a M/B for $1K or $2K or you can go and buy a new one for $50K. The new one is faster, uses less energy and is a lot more quiet. :D

My machine had your symptoms and the guy replaced pump and solenoid.

She's a Kitchen Aid. 80's model. Black and stainless. ooooh baby. Pretty sleek and handles like shes on rails.

My guy said the machine was definitely worth spending money for parts. He said some of the crap that is being produced now isn't worth messing with.

Parts under $200

We have a GE Triton XL apparently it has the exact same guts as Bosch but a different face. I think it was 400-500 bucks has a built in erator and is Energy Star Rated.

I have that Bosch version of your dishwasher. It will clean ANTHING!

I also think its time to get a new one.... The energy will kill ya...