I've never had any issues with my dishwasher (a 25-year-old Maytag) until this month. Suddenly it's leaving food on things, especially in the top rack. I've opened it at various points in the cycle and things look normal, though one thing I can't think how to check is the central "spray wand" that would extend upward (by water pressure, AFAIK) through the top rack and spray water all around. Nothing seems to be blocking that, but I can't think how to test its functioning, since it would drops back to the resting position as soon as I open the door.

Anything sound obvious that I could check?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2021 08:46AM by Mr Downtown.

Is there a drain or filter that needs cleaning?

Screen on the inlet of the pump that pumps the water to the wand, and everything in that system. Put an old phone in a ziploc to film the inside while it's in action.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

Fire it!

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Hurts like a bastid...

Quote
anonymouse1
Is there a drain or filter that needs cleaning?

Our unit drains into the disposal. (Not sure exactly why, but disposals come with a fitting precisely for that, so it must be SOP.) It is a trouble spot for us that collects gunk from the sink side. Whenever we begin to see an excessive accumulation of bits, and the inside basket is not fouled, it's time to check that outlet.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2021 08:54AM by Acer.

Make sure all the ports are clear and there is no gunk in the sprayer arm. Might need to take it outside and use the garden hose to fully check. If any of the holes get plugged by debris, it may prevent the arm from spinning.

.....so similar to a....spouse.....??

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Perhaps they feel they are worth more than minimum wage?

.....gave my dishwasher, Miguel, a big raise......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

A few cycles of this.

I will clean up debris and crap you don’t even know where they are. Actually cleans the machine as well as the dishes. Usually a noticeable improvement in any machine.

what Filliam, Acer and BernDog are saying.

YMMD, but under the bottom arm inside the cover is the grinder.

If that becomes fouled or busted.
Check your model at [www.appliancepartspros.com] for exploded parts view as well as further trouble shooting tips.

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.



Nobody remembers their first download, but everyone remembers their 1st LP.

FYI, it's also known as a "one-bunned" job.

FYI#2, you can buy your own powdered citric acid for super cheap, as compared to pre-made DW cleaner products that are basically just flavored citric acid.

FYI#3, after running citric acid thru the DW, you can run some baking soda thru it to take the acidic edge off.
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Buzz
FYI, it's also known as a "one-bunned" job.

FYI#2, you can buy your own powdered citric acid for super cheap, as compared to pre-made DW cleaner products that are basically just flavored citric acid.

FYI#3, after running citric acid thru the DW, you can run some baking soda thru it to take the acidic edge off.
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Lemishine is $4 at my local Publix....Not sure how much cheaper you can get than that.

I second checking the holes in the spray arm. Our have gotten clogged before by a piece of broken glass, vegetable parts and labels from jars. On our whirlpool, you can easily unscrew a big plastic nut that holds the spray arm to the bottom of the top basket, then completely pop the spray arm open to clean it out.

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“Live your life, love your life, don’t regret…live, learn and move forward positively.” – CR Johnson
Loving life in Lake Tahoe, CA

One thing to add - if your drain line has an "air gap" make sure it's not plugged.

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Skill without imagination is craftsmanship. Imagination without skill is Modern Art.

"Lemishine is $4 at my local Publix....Not sure how much cheaper you can get than that."

You can get a pound of citric acid for that, and most of those DW cleaners only have about 3 - 4oz of citric acid in 'em. Way cheaper still if you buy in bulk. You're right, DW cleaners aren't terribly expensive if you only look at the $4 price tag. When you compare 7 of those with the ~50 uses you get for the same price by RYO'ing, then maybe it seems kinda pricey....

We flush ours about every 3 ~ 4 weeks, and for whatever reason (we cook a lot), we run the DW ~5x weekly.
10lb bag is good for 3 years.
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Buzz
"Lemishine is $4 at my local Publix....Not sure how much cheaper you can get than that."

You can get a pound of citric acid for that, and most of those DW cleaners only have about 3 - 4oz of citric acid in 'em. Way cheaper still if you buy in bulk. You're right, DW cleaners aren't terribly expensive if you only look at the $4 price tag. When you compare 7 of those with the ~50 uses you get for the same price by RYO'ing, then maybe it seems kinda pricey....

We flush ours about every 3 ~ 4 weeks, and for whatever reason (we cook a lot), we run the DW ~5x weekly.
10lb bag is good for 3 years.
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Honestly, if a four dollar bottle doesn’t work, probably time to re-invest some money into a new dishwasher, anyway.

Might also want to check the inlet valve. It may not be letting in enough water to wash the dishes. I had one fell on one of my dishwashers and replacing it made a world of difference.

[www.amazon.com]

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Markintosh
I second checking the holes in the spray arm. Our have gotten clogged before by a piece of broken glass, vegetable parts and labels from jars. On our whirlpool, you can easily unscrew a big plastic nut that holds the spray arm to the bottom of the top basket, then completely pop the spray arm open to clean it out.

With us, its grains of cooked rice. They go in straight, but end up sideways.

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“A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand.” Seneca the Younger

The police have no duty to respond. See Castle Rock v. Gonzales, 545 U.S. 748 (2005) or Warren v. District of Columbia[1] (444 A.2d. 1, D.C. Ct. of Ap. 1981)

Judge Lee wrote that “we cannot jettison our constitutional rights, even if the goal behind a law is laudable." 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

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If anyone has poured any quantity of grease down the sink drain, that is a sure-fire way to cause this kind of problem.

If this problem SUDDENLY occurred, something changed. It is probably caused by some blockage in the drain hose, and that is probably where the hose connects to the sink/garbage disposal. Disconnect the hose at the disposal and run it into a large pail. DO NOT RE-ROUTE THE HOSE TO DO THIS. The hose has to have that high hoop location to prevent backflow from the sink drain into the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on a RINSE cycle to test the drain system. Make sure the dishwasher drains fully before doing the following steps.

1. Test the spray arm by putting a glass upright in a corner of the top rack. It should be full or nearly full at the end of the cycle. If not:

2. Clean the holes in the spray arms and test again. If still not nearly full:

3. Clean the drain filter, because the plugged filter is stopping the pump from getting enough water to spray properly. Test again.

4. Use the products suggested by others to do additional cleaning of the spray bars and the drain filter of hard water buildup. I don't care if you have a Softner. You will still get some mineral build up after 25 years.

Check the link given for how to get the spray bar off for cleaning and how to get to the drain filter.

It doesn't hurt to add some vinegar to the wash cycle once a month or so. It all gets removed with the rinse cycle.

Quote
Mr Downtown
I've never had any issues with my dishwasher (a 25-year-old Maytag) until this month. Suddenly it's leaving food on things, especially in the top rack. I've opened it at various points in the cycle and things look normal, though one thing I can't think how to check is the central "spray wand" that would extend upward (by water pressure, AFAIK) through the top rack and spray water all around. Nothing seems to be blocking that, but I can't think how to test its functioning, since it would drops back to the resting position as soon as I open the door.

Anything sound obvious that I could check?

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Ed (modelamac)

I think I will just put an OUT OF ORDER
sticker on my head and call it a day.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/20/2021 08:33AM by modelamac.

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Racer X

With us, its grains of cooked rice. They go in straight, but end up sideways.

....same goes for some guys when they go to prison.....they go in straight but then......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!