Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Bosch dishwasher not cleaning
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JoeMarshall
12-29-08, 11:52 AM
I have a Bosch SMI7056UC/14 FD-7602 that is about 10 years old. Recently the dishes have not been getting very clean and some soap has been remaining in the dispenser. Every so often I get a loud low-pitch vibration and noise during parts of the wash and rinse cycle. This is not all the time.
It seems to be filling with water. The lower spray arm seems to be spinning. The upper arm does not appear to be rotating. I can't tell if it is squirting water. I check by opening the door at various times and seeing if the arms are in different positions. The arm spins freely. The filters in the bottom of the wash chamber are clean.
Any ideas?
Joe M
It seems to be filling with water. The lower spray arm seems to be spinning. The upper arm does not appear to be rotating. I can't tell if it is squirting water. I check by opening the door at various times and seeing if the arms are in different positions. The arm spins freely. The filters in the bottom of the wash chamber are clean.
Any ideas?
Joe M
apwagner
12-29-08, 01:17 PM
I couldn't find a diagram of the dishwasher, but these are possible solutions to your problem.
During the drain cycle, the drain valve opens to allow the dirty water out. When the drain cycle is over this valve is supposed to remain closed to prevent water from leaving the dishwasher until the next drain cycle. If any debris plugs the valve, it will not close or seal properly. If it is not sealed, water will drain out while the unit is washing the dishes. If this is happening, you will hear water running in the drain pipes from the dishwasher. This is a sign that you need to clear the obstruction or replace the drain valve. One of the reasons for dirty dishes may even be that the drain valve is clogged and won't let dirty water out.
The water-inlet valve is another possibility. This valve is connected to the main water line from the house. If the dishwasher can't get enough water, it can't wash the dishes. This valve is actuated by a solenoid system. If it loses power, it can not turn itself off. Check for sediment buildup at the valve. Sometimes when a water-inlet valve is defective, you might hear a sound like a thump or bang. That’s often called a water hammer. Water hammer sounds are caused by a valve closing in the system, and yet the water in the pipe is still flowing because of its kinetic energy. The banging happens as the water hits the valve that prevents it from going any further. Does this sound occur when a valve closes or when the dishwasher is changing cycle? Sometimes high water pressure can cause this and other sounds to occur. You can test your water pressure using a pressure gauge. You would install this gauge to one water line in the house, and make sure no other water is flowing anywhere else in the home. Pressure over 60psi should be regulated by a pressure reducing valve. If the water-inlet valve is faulty, replace it.
I found these here Why are the dishes still dirty? : APWagner.com Appliance Parts (http://www.apwagner.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=797)
Let me know if I could be of more assistance.
During the drain cycle, the drain valve opens to allow the dirty water out. When the drain cycle is over this valve is supposed to remain closed to prevent water from leaving the dishwasher until the next drain cycle. If any debris plugs the valve, it will not close or seal properly. If it is not sealed, water will drain out while the unit is washing the dishes. If this is happening, you will hear water running in the drain pipes from the dishwasher. This is a sign that you need to clear the obstruction or replace the drain valve. One of the reasons for dirty dishes may even be that the drain valve is clogged and won't let dirty water out.
The water-inlet valve is another possibility. This valve is connected to the main water line from the house. If the dishwasher can't get enough water, it can't wash the dishes. This valve is actuated by a solenoid system. If it loses power, it can not turn itself off. Check for sediment buildup at the valve. Sometimes when a water-inlet valve is defective, you might hear a sound like a thump or bang. That’s often called a water hammer. Water hammer sounds are caused by a valve closing in the system, and yet the water in the pipe is still flowing because of its kinetic energy. The banging happens as the water hits the valve that prevents it from going any further. Does this sound occur when a valve closes or when the dishwasher is changing cycle? Sometimes high water pressure can cause this and other sounds to occur. You can test your water pressure using a pressure gauge. You would install this gauge to one water line in the house, and make sure no other water is flowing anywhere else in the home. Pressure over 60psi should be regulated by a pressure reducing valve. If the water-inlet valve is faulty, replace it.
I found these here Why are the dishes still dirty? : APWagner.com Appliance Parts (http://www.apwagner.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=797)
Let me know if I could be of more assistance.
JoeMarshall
12-29-08, 02:19 PM
Thanks for the ideas.
The water drains into a garbage disposal. I do not see water draining during most of the cycle. When it drains it is a strong flow. I see water in the washer during the cycle. I can't tell if there is the right amount, but the drain valve does not seem to be stuck open or partially open.
The loud noise/vibration that occurs intermittently in some activations could be water hammer, but it is not the thud caused by a single abrupt valve closing. It would be more like chatter caused by rapid opening and closing. It seems a little more of a rounded noise though (sorry for the "technical" and "precise" description, but I don't know how to describe it more accurately). It happens infrequently, while the lack of cleaning is constant.
I will check these when I get a chance to pull the unit.
Do you know how water gets to the upper spray arm? The arm is attached to the upper rack. It looks like the water comes from the top center of the dishwasher chamber into the hub of the upper spray arm assembly, but there is a gap of over one inch. I can't see anything that might extend down during the cycle. How is water forced into the upper spray arm?
The water drains into a garbage disposal. I do not see water draining during most of the cycle. When it drains it is a strong flow. I see water in the washer during the cycle. I can't tell if there is the right amount, but the drain valve does not seem to be stuck open or partially open.
The loud noise/vibration that occurs intermittently in some activations could be water hammer, but it is not the thud caused by a single abrupt valve closing. It would be more like chatter caused by rapid opening and closing. It seems a little more of a rounded noise though (sorry for the "technical" and "precise" description, but I don't know how to describe it more accurately). It happens infrequently, while the lack of cleaning is constant.
I will check these when I get a chance to pull the unit.
Do you know how water gets to the upper spray arm? The arm is attached to the upper rack. It looks like the water comes from the top center of the dishwasher chamber into the hub of the upper spray arm assembly, but there is a gap of over one inch. I can't see anything that might extend down during the cycle. How is water forced into the upper spray arm?
apwagner
12-30-08, 01:15 PM
BOSCH | Model #SMI7056UC-14 (FD 7902) | DISHWASHER | SearsPartsDirect.com (http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getModel!retrieveModelDetails.pd?pop=true&modelNumber=SMI7056UC-14%20(FD%207902)&productCategoryId=0130000&brandId=1794&modelName=DISHWASHER)
You can see the breakdown of your model at the url above. There is a tube that brings the water to the center top of the tub. Some of the parts for the dishwasher are slowly becoming NLA
You can see the breakdown of your model at the url above. There is a tube that brings the water to the center top of the tub. Some of the parts for the dishwasher are slowly becoming NLA
JoeMarshall
01-10-09, 12:09 PM
... The water-inlet valve is another possibility. ... Check for sediment buildup at the valve. ...
Thanks. That was the help I needed. I tried adding some water during the cycle and it seemed to spray much much more forcefully out of both arms. This reinforced the idea of an inlet valve problem.
I disconnected the supply. The filter had a bunch of stuff on it. I cleaned that and it helped somewhat. I opened up the valve and cleaned some more crud out of it. The dishwasher is now cleaning and spraying well.
Beer 4U2,
Joe M
Thanks. That was the help I needed. I tried adding some water during the cycle and it seemed to spray much much more forcefully out of both arms. This reinforced the idea of an inlet valve problem.
I disconnected the supply. The filter had a bunch of stuff on it. I cleaned that and it helped somewhat. I opened up the valve and cleaned some more crud out of it. The dishwasher is now cleaning and spraying well.
Beer 4U2,
Joe M