Home Repair forum - Question on potentially sediment-clogged dishwasher (how to diagnose & repair)?

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Question on potentially sediment-clogged dishwasher (how to diagnose & repair)?

Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator

2008-02-19, 3:25 am

My GE Nautilus dishwasher just stopped working right after a major plumbing
repair (hot water heater replacement) - is there a sediment filter on the
dishwasher somewhere?

After closing the dishwasher door and turning it on, the water starts but
never has enough pressure to spin the sprinkler. It won't drain either, it
seems, so after every test, I have to mop it up.

My shower heads were all clogged with grainy particles after a recent
hot-water heater replacement - those were easy to clean out - but I suspect
the same happened here as the kitchen sink slowed down to a crawl also.

I can't get the dishwasher out (it seems to be tiled in), even after
unbolting the top single bolt and lowering the legs as far as they can go.

Maybe, just maybe I can hacksaw off the bottom so I can get it out and
replace it but I'd rather first do some intelligent research.

Is there an easy to locate sediment trap or motor reset on a basic
dishwasher? Can I get a troubleshooting manual for a GE Nautilus washer on
the web?

I'll keep digging but any advice you have will be wondrous!
Your efforts won't be wasted as I'll try to be responsive and give back to
the group so others benefit from your efforts.

Donna

Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator

2008-02-19, 1:25 pm

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:32:59 -0700, Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator
wrote:
> Is there an easy to locate sediment trap or motor reset on a basic
> dishwasher? Can I get a troubleshooting manual for a GE Nautilus washer on
> the web?

How do you unclog a bathroom tub and dishwasher of sediment unleashed
during a water heater repair?

Unclogging the showerheads & kitchen sink were easy but the bathroom tub
and dishwasher are still apparently clogged with sediment.

Do you know how to unclog the hot/cold water to the bathroom tub and
dishwasher?

Donna
PS I should have taken photos of the before/after shower head but I'll
start posting photos of the tub and dishwasher unclog so others benefit
from your advice which is never wasted!

Edwin Pawlowski

2008-02-20, 3:25 am

"Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator" <donna.ohl@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
message
>
> Do you know how to unclog the hot/cold water to the bathroom tub and
> dishwasher?
>
> Donna

Tub is no different than the sink. Depends on what brand of faucet though.
You may have to remove a front bezel. Go to the web page of the
manufacturer and look for instructions to replace the seals or cartridge.

Dishwasher may be more difficult. If you get lucky, you may be able to just
disconnect the water feed and clean out right inside the solenoid valve. If
not, you may have to remove the DW and remove the valve to clean it. Going
from memory, the feed on mine is right behind the bottom front panel. Check
the spray arms also while you are at it.

Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator

2008-02-20, 3:25 am

On Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:25:50 GMT, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> Tub is no different than the sink.

It sure looks different. There's no screen. Will look more.

> Dishwasher may be more difficult.

Will take it apart and post pictures.

Edwin Pawlowski

2008-02-20, 9:26 am

"Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator" <donna.ohl@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
message news:XmQuj.11755$J41.5060@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...
> On Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:25:50 GMT, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>
> It sure looks different. There's no screen. Will look more.
>

If you mean there is no screen in the aerator, the problem is in the
cartridge. Remove the cartridge and clean it out.

Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator

2008-02-20, 1:26 pm

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On Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:48:36 GMT, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> If you mean there is no screen in the aerator, the problem is in the
> cartridge. Remove the cartridge and clean it out.

Hi Edwin,

The tub seems different in that there is nothing to take apart on the
nozzle part that spits out the water. I don't feel a screen in that nozzle
like I did the faucets.

Here is the clogged tub outlet with the water on "full blast" which is
barely more than a trickle after the water heater replacement:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donnaohl/2279157305/

Here is the tub with the water on the full close position; I don't see what
to remove to find a "filter screen"?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donnaohl/2279157299/

I'm sorry for being confused but can you point to what in this picture,
showing the water at the most I can get out now (which is vastly less than
the day before the water heater was replaced) I should open up to clean out
the sediment?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donnaohl/2279157295/

Am I looking in the wrong place?

Donna

PS I'm confused if I should post to this thread or to the long thread so
I'll try to keep an eye on both!

Edwin Pawlowski

2008-02-20, 9:26 pm

"Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator" <donna.ohl@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
message
>
> I'm sorry for being confused but can you point to what in this picture,
> showing the water at the most I can get out now (which is vastly less than
> the day before the water heater was replaced) I should open up to clean
> out
> the sediment?
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/donnaohl/2279157295/
>
> Am I looking in the wrong place?
>
> Donna
>
> PS I'm confused if I should post to this thread or to the long thread so
> I'll try to keep an eye on both!
>
>

The clog is probably inside the assembly. I can't see from the picture how
to disassemble it, but it can be. The handle probably has a set screw
holding it in place. There is probably something that has to be screwed off
to get tot he diverter inside. Thee appears to be a screw holding the bezel
on at the 2 o'clock position. Perhaps there is one at 8 o'clock also? Hard
to say what tools are needed. Could be a snap ring or clip holding the guts
in place.

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