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badgolferman
 
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Default dishwasher leaking

My dishwasher is a 15 year-old Whirlpool that has been okay up to now.
Last night I noticed the adjacent cabinet was wet inside so the
dishwasher was obviously leaking and the cabinet must have been wicking
up the moisture over time.

I pulled the dishwasher out about 6 inches before I realized the power
cord was keeping it from coming out any farther. Since it was after 10
PM I didn't want to mess with it any more but I did take a look
underneath to see what was there. The linoleum underneath was
discolored and a hole had been eaten through it from the water that had
been dripping. It looked like waterdrops were falling from the lowest
structure of the dishwasher. I assume it was the pump; it was in the
middle of the dishwasher. At the time there was no water running and
the unit was off.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be leaking and what to
check when I pull the dishwasher out? I realize its probably old
enough to replace, but I'm about to spend some money on other household
items and if I can fix this myself that would save several hundred
dollars.

--
No matter what happens, someone will find a way to take it too
seriously.
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Edwin Pawlowski
 
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"badgolferman" wrote in message
structure of the dishwasher. I assume it was the pump; it was in the
middle of the dishwasher. At the time there was no water running and
the unit was off.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be leaking and what to
check when I pull the dishwasher out?


Could be the pump, the seal between the motor assembly and cabinet or the
cabinet, or a hose, or a drain fitting, or a fill valve. If it is the
cabinet itself, buy a new machine.


  #3   Report Post  
Doug Kanter
 
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Default

"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
My dishwasher is a 15 year-old Whirlpool that has been okay up to now.
Last night I noticed the adjacent cabinet was wet inside so the
dishwasher was obviously leaking and the cabinet must have been wicking
up the moisture over time.

I pulled the dishwasher out about 6 inches before I realized the power
cord was keeping it from coming out any farther. Since it was after 10
PM I didn't want to mess with it any more but I did take a look
underneath to see what was there. The linoleum underneath was
discolored and a hole had been eaten through it from the water that had
been dripping. It looked like waterdrops were falling from the lowest
structure of the dishwasher. I assume it was the pump; it was in the
middle of the dishwasher. At the time there was no water running and
the unit was off.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be leaking and what to
check when I pull the dishwasher out? I realize its probably old
enough to replace, but I'm about to spend some money on other household
items and if I can fix this myself that would save several hundred
dollars.


I just got done with a similar dishwasher saga, so it must be the season for
it, or something. Got a good library or appliance parts store that sells
repair books? See if you can find one called "Dishwasher Repair - Cheap and
Easy", by Douglas Emley. Written for people who have some skill with tools.
Not a fabulous book, but it has some very clear descriptions, pictures and
disassembly instructions that may be just enough to help you either fix it,
or buy new. I got lucky - my problem involved a $10.00 valve.

Before proceeding, I inquired at a locally owned appliance dealership about
the cost of buying new, since I hadn't shopped for one in many years. I was
expecting to hear $400-$700, but was told that you can get a perfectly
decent (if not fancy) dishwasher for $275.00 to $300.00. The guy's
explanation was reasonable and sensible, and was echoed by the person at the
parts counter. I won't go into details, but buying new may not be as bad as
you expect.


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SteveB
 
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"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
My dishwasher is a 15 year-old Whirlpool that has been okay up to now.
Last night I noticed the adjacent cabinet was wet inside so the
dishwasher was obviously leaking and the cabinet must have been wicking
up the moisture over time.

I pulled the dishwasher out about 6 inches before I realized the power
cord was keeping it from coming out any farther. Since it was after 10
PM I didn't want to mess with it any more but I did take a look
underneath to see what was there. The linoleum underneath was
discolored and a hole had been eaten through it from the water that had
been dripping. It looked like waterdrops were falling from the lowest
structure of the dishwasher. I assume it was the pump; it was in the
middle of the dishwasher. At the time there was no water running and
the unit was off.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be leaking and what to
check when I pull the dishwasher out? I realize its probably old
enough to replace, but I'm about to spend some money on other household
items and if I can fix this myself that would save several hundred
dollars.


15 years old? Replace it with a modern machine, and sleep well for another
15 years. Or fix a part now, fix another part in a month. Have the whole
thing go kaflooey when you are on vacation, and come home to a real
disaster.

Your turn to roll the dice, my friend.

A new one is a cinch to install. Funny thing, they don't give you a new
cord for it. Be sure to save the one from the old machine. You may even
have to use old plumbing connectors, as they are cheap about the extra parts
they provide, even on high dollar units. You said yours was limited
accessability. Fix that so on the new one, you can pull it out easily for
inspection. And, you don't have to wait until you see a leak. Check it
yearly.

We replaced ours last year. We were in shock at the price ranges. But, we
selected a quality unit that wasn't so high priced. It works twice as good
as the old one, and makes about a third the noise.

Spring for a new one and be done with it.

Do it once. Do it right.

Steve


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badgolferman
 
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SteveB, 5/3/2005, 12:48:58 PM, XXNde.14135$_K.11421@fed1read03 wrote:

Spring for a new one and be done with it.

Do it once. Do it right.


The wife called and let me know she has already bought a new one. It
looks like I will be installing a new Whirlpool tonight.
http://www.whirlpoolappliances.ca/en...U1100XTP&colou
r=B&sub=features&PHPSESSID=936eacf934f7be35117aad1 562d8aa0b
Fortunately it was on sale and had a ding so she got them down to $299.
I didn't know you could bargain at Lowe's.

I will probably also extend the power cord that is only long enough to
reach the hookup of the machine. Anything wrong with adding Romex to
the existing line and using wirenuts? I'll make sure it doesn't sit on
the floor where it could get wet.

--
No matter what happens, someone will find a way to take it too
seriously.


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Doug Kanter
 
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"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
SteveB, 5/3/2005, 12:48:58 PM, XXNde.14135$_K.11421@fed1read03 wrote:

Spring for a new one and be done with it.

Do it once. Do it right.


The wife called and let me know she has already bought a new one. It
looks like I will be installing a new Whirlpool tonight.
http://www.whirlpoolappliances.ca/en...U1100XTP&colou
r=B&sub=features&PHPSESSID=936eacf934f7be35117aad1 562d8aa0b
Fortunately it was on sale and had a ding so she got them down to $299.
I didn't know you could bargain at Lowe's.

I will probably also extend the power cord that is only long enough to
reach the hookup of the machine. Anything wrong with adding Romex to
the existing line and using wirenuts? I'll make sure it doesn't sit on
the floor where it could get wet.


Wire nuts are not appropriate for wires which get moved. Matter of fact, I
personally don't think they're good for ANY wiring, but that's just me. Buy
a power cord of the right length, meaning long enough to reach wherever, but
cut it down so it doesn't want to loop under the machine's wheels as you
push it into place.


  #7   Report Post  
Jeff
 
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Default

Motor failed on my 8-year old dishwasher. I pulled out the motor and found
that a replacement was about $200 vs. $375 for a new dishwasher. New one
(Maytag) is a much better washer. Electronic controller is superior for one
thing. Be sure to keep the installation manual. It gave special key codes
to actuate vs. components to test the system. So with a 15 year old unit,
it's time to kiss it goodbye.

Good luck.


"badgolferman" wrote in message
...
My dishwasher is a 15 year-old Whirlpool that has been okay up to now.
Last night I noticed the adjacent cabinet was wet inside so the
dishwasher was obviously leaking and the cabinet must have been wicking
up the moisture over time.

I pulled the dishwasher out about 6 inches before I realized the power
cord was keeping it from coming out any farther. Since it was after 10
PM I didn't want to mess with it any more but I did take a look
underneath to see what was there. The linoleum underneath was
discolored and a hole had been eaten through it from the water that had
been dripping. It looked like waterdrops were falling from the lowest
structure of the dishwasher. I assume it was the pump; it was in the
middle of the dishwasher. At the time there was no water running and
the unit was off.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be leaking and what to
check when I pull the dishwasher out? I realize its probably old
enough to replace, but I'm about to spend some money on other household
items and if I can fix this myself that would save several hundred
dollars.

--
No matter what happens, someone will find a way to take it too
seriously.



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Phisherman
 
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Be a detective and locate the leak. With an appliance that old, if
you can't fix it easily and cheaply, replace it. I know at any time I
might have to spend $1000 to replace an appliance. I keep that
emergency money in a money market where I can get easy and fast access
to it.


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