Whirlpool D/W model DU101SXTXS3 - grate removable?

[Nelly W]

Nothing about it in the manual; called the company too. I don't own this machine and am reluctant to call the landlord for service unless I really can't remove these obstructions on my own. I kind of, well, smashed a ceramic bowl in it about 6 weeks ago. I picked out all I could find for a couple weeks and it straightened out. Pretty well-behaved until today after about 4 weeks of cooperation, it's now suddenly back to gnashing & gnawing, and this time the cycle gets cancelled. Every time. Are no modern dishwashers user-servicable anymore?

[Gomez]

Most manufacturers no longer offer repair help because of liability.

[bob haller]

OP likely needs a new pump, the cost of which will be 2/3rds the cost of a new dishwasher.

this happened here, although I never knew what caused the pump damage.

my spiffy new dishwasher less than a year old has had 4 service calls, and the heat water, dryer has worked intermittently ever since.

whirlpool makes junk, but then again so does everyone else:(

[Nelly W]

Liability for what? No, I seriously do need it spelled out for me.

[BenDarrenBach]

Ask your question here:

[trader_4]

Any of the online kitchen appliance parts shops has diagrams of the DWs that show how they are put together. It won't spell out how it comes apart, but seeing the diagram is often enough to figure it out.

It's hard to imagine that pieces of a ceramic bowl could wind up in the pump. They have filter screens that are supposed to block anything large enough to screw the pump/grinder. Typically you can remove the lower arm by turning and lifting, then some plastic parts snap out, allowing you to pull the screen, etc.

I tried that model # to try to take a look, but nothing close comes up and I suspect it's not right.

[Gomez]

Imagine a dishwasher with a leaky fill valve, wet hands, a wet kitchen floor, 120 volts and an ignorant DIYer. What could possibly go wrong? Who would our crazy jurors blame and how many millions would they award the deceased's family?

But don't take my word for it, check out:

or google " frivolous lawsuits "

Never underestimate the power of a few stupid jurors.

[Nelly W]

I don't really know how a leaky fill valve relates to a clogged trap, but is it possible the latter could lead to overflow? Water on the floor has the potential for more lucrative suits than someone just getting an "owwie" on their finger from a ceramic shard.

My other guess is that it was just cheaper to make the units without that feature, in line with the higher probability of us poor saps having to replace the unit sooner.

I've often wondered what if any role major appliance mfgrs had in doing away with all traces of phosphate in the detergents.

[trader_4]

Did you see the link he provided of how similar "oowies" turned into major lawsuits? I had not heard of appliance makers refraining from giving advice due to this, but I can see how any similar business would be concerned about the possible ramifications.

Did you see my previous suggestion to go to an online parts shop, put in your model and take a look at how it's put together? IT's not going to tell you how to take it apart, but usually from the diagrams you can see how it's put together and usually get an idea how to take it apart.

I don't see any benefit to the appliance manufacturers. They don't want pissed off customers with dishes that aren't clean. AFAIK, it was environmental concerns, which apparently are real, that lead to the ban on phosphates.

[Nelly W]

Yes, and that sounded good until you said "I tried that model # to try to take a look, but nothing close comes up and I suspect it's not right." In my haste I misunderstood. No matter though; I'll call the landlord. With all the other problems we've called him about since November, they might begin to see us as nuisance renters & not renew our lease. But until then at least we'll have clean dishes.

You don't see any benefit to mfgrs who predict swarms of people with (otherwise perfectly good) years-old units coming in who no longer have clean dishes? As I understood it, those environmental concerns that started this were very localized. Unless I'm remembering it wrong.

[Tony Hwang]

Hmmm, My old Whirlpool DW lasted 20 years. Only thing I had to do during the

20 years, I got a used pump/motor assembly from eBay to replace burnt out motor at a cost of ~40.00 and my time. When unit was taken out still it was cleaning dishes well, dried well. Just it was becoming noisier, so we bought a mid-level Bosch on sale to replace Whirlpool. This new one uses lot less power and water. Dead quiet when running. Old unit was given away. As far as I remember nothing ever broke during wash cycle even fine bone china, silver ware were washed.

First, go to a parts selling web site, find an IPB and watch video to learn how to take the machine apart and order the necessary parts or ask questions, they will try to help. They are there to help you and run the business selling parts you need.

[jamesgang]

The grates generally do come out. Most have a self cleaning filter and tha t's where your problem started. The filter trapped the broken ceramic but the system self cleans the filter and that moved the ceramic to the pump. At this point you need to pull the pump off. While that can sometimes be d one without removing the unit it is far easier to remove the unit and lay i t on it's side. Sounds like you'r going to give up on this one but if you d o pull it out keep in mind it will have some residual water in it.

[Nelly W]

Thanks for the help & suggestions all you guys. The handyman came today (finally). I showed him some illustrations on parts sites but neither of us were getting much from it. He didn't really do anything other than loosen some plastic screw-looking thing on the washer arm at my suggestion, then restarted the cycle several times. After the wailing/humming sound finally left he tightened everything back up. I still hear vestiges of the ceramic chips, but fingers are crossed that they'll finally fall through. It was worth calling him just so I didn't have to get down on the floor... I've always been the fixemup wife but my knees just ain't what they used to be.

[Guv Bob]

well-behaved

and that's where your problem started. The filter trapped the broken ceramic but the system self cleans the filter and that moved the ceramic to the pump. At this point you need to pull the pump off. While that can sometimes be done without removing the unit it is far easier to remove the unit and lay it on it's side. Sounds like you'r going to give up on this one but if you do pull it out keep in mind it will have some residual water in it.

This has been my experience with anything I don't have much experience with. Some suggestions are excellent and helpful, but most seem to be from other people guessing or looking stuff up online, just like I'm doing.

However, the good replies are still well worth the time online for me.