New Dishwasher problem - Please advise

[Wilpar76]

I have a dishwasher that keeps getting clogged. I have taken it out from under the counter four times in the past several months. It will work for a little while and then it is clogged again. I have cleared all of the hoses. The air gap is clear. However, I keep getting the partial clog or complete clog code on the unit display. We rinse our dishes heavily before we put them in the dishwasher but it still seems to get clogged.

I don't want to call a repair man because that is $100 just to have them show up, let alone labor and parts. I could just by a new dishwasher, but that is not my first choice. However, I am tired of taking this thing out of the wall and clearing it.

The funny thing is that the last three times I have taken it out, I was not able to find what was clogging the drain in the machine. I took the hose off that comes from the drain/agitator and I also stuck a thin wire in there to try and pull out any thick food that may have been lodged in the machine. No dice. There could be a piece of glass or something in there as we did find a broken glass in the dishwasher several months back. However, if that is the case, why is the machine not clogging all of the time.

I am very frustrated. Does anyone know another way to try and clear the drain tank right before the drain hose? I even tried my shop vac.


Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Bill

 

[valmara1971]

Hi, I have a very sensitive dish washer here. I had bone fragments stuck in the ball valve which covered the impeller. Have you tried online for fix? What make and model number is it might help the guys here.

 

[luvmysuper]

If you had a broken glass it is possible you have piece of glass acting as a swing check valve.
The water flow can be enough to pick up the glass and turn it enough to cause blockage or near blockage.
When the water flow stops, the force holding the glass in position stops and the glass falls back to the clear position.
This is tricky to prove or disprove because you have to look everywhere there might be a restriction that could catch the glass and not pass it.
Look for connections where there is a reduction in pipe or hose size as that's a more likely spot.
Good luck!

 

[RobertH]

My friends had this problem and they called a guy to come fix it. The guy told them to run the dishwasher empty with a bunch of Tang in it periodically to keep it from clogging. I was like what the heck? Tang?! But they say since they started doing it they've had no problem. Weird.

 

[Y2K]

Bill, I had the exact same thing happening with my previous dishwasher (Kenmore I believe) - once in a while it would just not drain all the way. I suspected clogging but after looking for possible clogs, doing some reading on-line, and troubleshooting I came to a realization that it must be a bad draining pump which is causing some water to be left behind some of the time. Replacing the pump including parts and labor would cost me pretty close to getting a new dishwasher; so I just got a new one.

 

[Wilpar76]

Hi, I have a very sensitive dish washer here. I had bone fragments stuck in the ball valve which covered the impeller. Have you tried online for fix? What make and model number is it might help the guys here.

It is a General Electric Twenty-Two Hundred

Model No# GSD2200D03

If you had a broken glass it is possible you have piece of glass acting as a swing check valve.
The water flow can be enough to pick up the glass and turn it enough to cause blockage or near blockage.
When the water flow stops, the force holding the glass in position stops and the glass falls back to the clear position.
This is tricky to prove or disprove because you have to look everywhere there might be a restriction that could catch the glass and not pass it.
Look for connections where there is a reduction in pipe or hose size as that's a more likely spot.
Good luck!

I have looked everywhere save for actually taking the swing valve off. I have removed every hose from the trap under the sink to the air gap and from the air gap to the back of the machine. I push the swing arm and can see into the little tank at the bottom, but nothing comes out when I stick a little wire in there (not that a piece of glass would come out like that).

Bill, I had the exact same thing happening with my previous dishwasher (Kenmore I believe) - once in a while it would just not drain all the way. I suspected clogging but after looking for possible clogs, doing some reading on-line, and troubleshooting I came to a realization that it must be a bad draining pump which is causing some water to be left behind some of the time. Replacing the pump including parts and labor would cost me pretty close to getting a new dishwasher; so I just got a new one.

I would not be surprised if this is the case. I will do some internet research this evening. I would say I got my money's worth, but the dishwasher is approximately 16 years old and I got it for free When my parent's got a new one, they gave me this one since the original dishwasher in my house died. I have had it in my house for about 5 years.

 

[Matt R.]

If it's 16 years old just replace it. Even if you find something that's broken and replace, something else is probably close to wearing out. Also, who knows if you'll even be able to find replacement parts for it.

If you're willing to do the installation yourself (which is easy if the pipes and everything are already there), for a couple hundred dollars you can have something brand new and problem free, with a warranty, and it'll be more efficient, using less energy and water and getting your dishes cleaner.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Good point, Matt R. Some of the newer machines are much more efficient and will reduce your power and water bills, so they will pay for themselves. Also, check to see if you can get any tax credits for buying an efficient appliance.

Still, I have to say I admire your desire to wrench on it. I usually do the same, but we've really realized some benefits from efficient washers, HVAC units and refrigerators.

 

[Alacrity59]

16 years is a pretty good run. Sometimes a step down from ultra efficient is a decent choice. For instance a multi speed furnace fan motor is far cheaper to replace than an infinitely variable one.

With dishwashers I've paid a premium for less noise. Just a trade off I'm willing to make that has made my life more enjoyable. I can set it to run after I go to bed (theoretically we get lower rates for electricity off peak hours) and not have it wake me up.

Good luck.

Mike

 

[Thebigspendur]

Itr's the pump. It's lasted way more than it was designed to last. it's time for a new machine.

 

[Angus Young]

Whenever I have a problem with my dishwasher I just buy her a new bag or something and she's back to full productivity. YMMV.

 

[Wilpar76]

Itr's the pump. It's lasted way more than it was designed to last. it's time for a new machine.

+1. I noticed that the sound is completely different. I am familiar with the sound when it is truly clogged as I have pulled the clogs out in the past.

I hate to say it, but I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a new machine.

 

[Wilpar76]

Now I have a new problem. I got my new dishwasher. I hooked up the electrical and water lines. However, my old drain hose, this type here, does not fit the new machine. The new machine came with a new drain hose, like this. My problem is that the new hose does not create a firm seal with my air gap. I even went and bought a new air gap but it did not make a difference. The new hose came with a pressure clamp that I have to set with pliers. I tried to put a screwed ring clamp, but that did not work either.

Any suggestions?

 

[Bobbers]

Your first link does not work, but I am guessing your old hose is just rubber. The new hose that you are referring to has step down sizes on the end and you can just cut off the larger ones and use a smaller one. Or this InSinkErator Dishwasher Connection Kit might work for you it is normally used to hook to the dishwasher but can also be used for the air gap. If you do not think these will work post the inside diameter of your new hose and the outside diameter of your air gap and I might have another idea. I am still learning wet shaving but I know a lot about plumbing. I work in a big box home improvement store and get these questions all the time. Good luck.
Robert

 

[Wilpar76]

Your first link does not work, but I am guessing your old hose is just rubber. The new hose that you are referring to has step down sizes on the end and you can just cut off the larger ones and use a smaller one. Or this InSinkErator Dishwasher Connection Kit might work for you it is normally used to hook to the dishwasher but can also be used for the air gap. If you do not think these will work post the inside diameter of your new hose and the outside diameter of your air gap and I might have another idea. I am still learning wet shaving but I know a lot about plumbing. I work in a big box home improvement store and get these questions all the time. Good luck.
Robert

Thank you Robert. I knew they made adapters, but for some reason I could not find them after two trips to Lowes today. I will go back in the morning. The kit you posted is exactly what I need. I can put that on the air gap and then slide the other end into the drain hose, even though I have cut away a little of it. After that, I will just need to put a screw clamp on the air gap and a pressure clamp on the hose and I think I will be all set.

I will let you know how it goes.

Bill

 

[Bullwinkle]

How much extra was it to have whomever you brought it from install it?

Just saying

 

[Wilpar76]

How much extra was it to have whomever you brought it from install it?

Just saying

I hear ya, but I am pretty handy save for this problem. Also, it eould have cost an extra $210 for instillation. The dishwasher only cost $311 on sale. Between gas for several trips to the hardware store and the actual parts I had to get (electrical wire clamp and a new airgap that I will be returning) I still haven't even spent $20 yet. I also have to get the part that Bobbers recommended as I was looking for that anyway but could not find it.