anyone know dishwashers?

lendaddy · 06-03-2007, 05:37 PM

Mine is not performing well all of a sudden and I have no idea what it might be. The soap dispenser is not fully emptying(which I assume is a water flow issue) and it makes a load ticking noise during the dry cycle. Are there common failures in these things?

Probably best to just replace it, but if there is a common issue I'll try it first. Thanks,

Other note, I have VERY hard water so that may be a contributing factor?

lendaddy · 06-03-2007, 05:43 PM

Oh yea, it'd not getting the dishes very clean either...probably should have mentioned that

It's a Maytag, maybe 9-10 years old.

lendaddy · 06-03-2007, 05:46 PM

Even my dishwasher gets one star??? Tough room

stomachmonkey · 06-03-2007, 06:11 PM

Better? Bout all the help I can offer on the subject.

lendaddy · 06-03-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Better? Bout all the help I can offer on the subject.

Better than nothing

onewhippedpuppy · 06-03-2007, 06:38 PM

Replace it, you'll be amazed how much better the new one is. In our last house we installed a GE that was just a bit above average, about $500. It made the old one look like a rag in the sink. Very quiet too. Do some research first, some are way better than others. Ours was highly rated in Consumer Reports.

There, a positive contribution to the thread. I'm so proud of myself.

lendaddy · 06-03-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Replace it, you'll be amazed how much better the new one is. In our last house we installed a GE that was just a bit above average, about $500. It made the old one look like a rag in the sink. Very quiet too. Do some research first, some are way better than others. Ours was highly rated in Consumer Reports.

There, a positive contribution to the thread. I'm so proud of myself.

Thanks, I was just checking prices and it seems like prices have gone down considerably. What appears to be the same Maytag I have now is at Lowes for less than half what I paid several years ago.

legion · 06-03-2007, 06:43 PM

That's because they're made in China now.

lendaddy · 06-03-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
That's because they're made in China now.

Probably true

Actually I make parts for Maytag Refrigerators at my factory and have for several years now. It's one of the very few good jbs we still have.

notfarnow · 06-03-2007, 06:56 PM

Have you checked to see if the screen at the bottom is plugged? Sometimes you can pop the screen off and find a gunky, revolting mess.

Really hard water can screw up the solenoids that the water flows through. That happened to mine; solenoid was $22 and it took 15-20 minutes to replace. My neighbor owns an appliance shop, so he was able to diagnose it quickly.

lendaddy · 06-03-2007, 06:58 PM

Interesting, I'll look into that. Thanks.

notfarnow · 06-03-2007, 07:03 PM

and another thing, now that I think of it:

Check the fittings where they hook up to the hot & cold water. Like a washing machine, they often have those little screens that can get clogged up. That can really cut your water flow.

I have really hard water, I have to clean those things every year or so.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

living alone, i find soap, a scrubber and a drip tray work well enough for me. the problem is getting me, the 'dishwasher', to wash the dishes.

Danglerb · 06-04-2007, 12:49 AM

I like consumer reports, but a good online quick check is www.consumersearch.com which puts together reports from several sources. CR is also not searchable online without $$$.

Didn't somebody recently buy Maytag, I know after the mess with the bad neptune washers I wouldn't even consider one (LG or Whirlpool). GE is what we bought for a dishwasher last time.

Leftover soap is bad, for one thing means nothing is getting rinsed, just lightly soaped. 10 years old and hard water, I would replace it if something wasn't easy and obvious to fix.

Run some vinegar maybe, and verify the water is hot enough that is going to it.

Some people don't like soft water, but you might consider putting a softener just on the input of the water heater if you don't want whole house.

Danglerb · 06-04-2007, 12:57 AM

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/kitchen/dishwasher-reviews/index.html

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Lendaddy,
you can order parts for your dishwasher here: (http://www.repairclinic.com/0092.asp) and fix it yourself or replace it. I have repaired our dishwasher (older JennAir) before and it wasn't difficult at all, it's actually a very simple device. Removing the dishwasher from the cabinetry is the hardest part...

126coupe · 126coupe's Garage

My Bro in law is a plumber, check the drain hose it goes from the DW to the garbage disposal.

If buying new check out the Bosch dishwashers

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Yep, Bosch dishwashers are excellent, as well as their washers/dryers and vacuum cleaners. I'm not affiliated with Bosch, just a satisfied customer...

Dueller · 06-04-2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notfarnow
Have you checked to see if the screen at the bottom is plugged? Sometimes you can pop the screen off and find a gunky, revolting mess.

+1

You'd be suprised what ends up in the bottom drain....lotsa glass chips, etc that really affect performance. I'd start there.

Porsche_monkey · 06-04-2007, 07:33 AM

My dishwasher does that when then 'spinning water dispenser' on the bottom of the upper rack sticks, or hits something.

Make sure your 'spinner' is free moving just before you close the door and start the cycle. It should do a full revolution or more with just the flick of a finger.

A Miele is also a very good dishwasher if you go new. And use the old one as a parts washer.