Archive for the 'dishwashers' Category

How to Test Dishwasher Drain Valve

Published on January 23, 2010 in Appliances, Repair Help Area, Repair Help-Advice, Repair and Maintenance Tips and dishwashers. 0 Comments

If your dishwasher motor only has two or three wires, it is a single-direction motor, which means the dishwasher has a drain valve.  If the motor has four wires, it is a reversing motor and the the machine doesn’t have a drain valve.

So, provided you have a drain valve to test, here are the basics, thanks to this article from acmehowto.com:

First, you need to follow all safety procedures.  For example, make sure the machine is unplugged.

Remove the lower panel underneath the dishwasher door (it’s usually held in place by a couple of screws).  Most of the time, the drain valve will be close to the motor.  Simply locate the motor and look for a hose coming out of the motor.  The hose should lead to the drain valve.  The valve is essentially two parts: the gate arm and the solenoid.  The gate arm should move up and down smoothly.  Check the springs on the gate arm–if they’re damaged in any way, replace them.

The solenoid will have two wires connected to it.  Check the terminals and the wire connections for corrosion.  Replace any corroded part.  Use a multitester to test the solenoid for resistance.  With the multitester on the X1 setting, touch the probes to each terminal.  The solenoid should read about 40 ohms.  If there is no reading or if it’s nowhere close to 40 ohms, replace the solenoid.

That’s it!

Do It Yourself Home Appliance Repair Requires Easy Access to Appliance Parts

Published on January 11, 2010 in Air Conditioner, Appliance Parts Blog, Appliances, Our Website, dishwashers and refrigerators. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place for all your appliance part needs.

Whether it’s Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Luxaire, Air Ease, Century, Concord, Janitrol, Tempstar, Ducane, Lennox, Weatherking, Amana, Armstrong, or any other part you need for your washer, dryer, furnace, air conditioner, dishwasher, microwave, or any other appliance, you’ll find it right here at Superior Appliance Parts.

Sit back, relax, take a deep breath, enjoy a sip of your favorite beverage, stop by our online store, and purchase the part your appliance needs…it certainly isn’t going to fix itself!

Looking for a Discontinued Appliance Part?

Published on December 27, 2009 in Air Conditioner, Appliance Parts Blog, Appliances, Repair Help Area, dishwashers and refrigerators. 27 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

It’s not impossible to find discontinued appliance parts.  In fact, it’s extremely easy.  Whether you need discontinued parts for a refrigerator, dishwasher, AC or heating unit, an ice machine, a washer or dryer, or a grill, you have plenty of options.

Many Appliance Parts stores online allow you to search for parts.  However, if a part you’re looking for is discontinued, chances are you won’t find it in any online search.  Don’t fret!  Unless you really want to.  Fretting is optional.

All you need to do is contact the Appliance Parts store directly, either via e-mail or phone.  Most stores have connections to discontinued parts or might have suggestions for where to look.  They may also be able to recommend a substitute from a current model for the same brand as the part you need.

With any luck, your Appliance Parts store can locate a suitable part for your DIY home appliance repair project.

Merry Christmas!

Published on December 25, 2009 in Appliances and dishwashers. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

We’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Don’t forget to rinse out those dishes containing all that heavy food before you put them in the dishwasher!

Best wishes to all.

Are Your Dishes Scummy with Residue?

Published on December 19, 2009 in Appliances and dishwashers. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

If your supposedly clean dishes are coming out of the dishwasher with a scummy residue, then there are a couple of things you should consider:

1) Make sure your machine has plenty of rinse aid.  Usually the intake for this helpful blue liquid is located in the door near the soap dispenser.

2) Check your owner’s manual in regards to the detergent you are using. Some dishwashers require the use of the powder detergent for best results.  If you are using liquid dishwasher detergent and you are noticing residue (especially on your glassware in the upper rack), try changing your detergent to the powder version and see what the results are.

These are the two most common reasons for soapy residue on clean dishes.

How to Maintain a Dishwasher

Published on December 9, 2009 in Appliances, Energy Saving Tips, Home Improvement and dishwashers. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

I always get irritated when the dishwasher isn’t working effectively. I am not a fan of washing dishes, so I rely on the dishwasher to do the work for me. However, like all machines, the dishwasher only remains useful if I keep it maintained. Here are some suggestions:

1) Take a look at the door frame. Check the gasket to make sure it seals all the water in. Seal any gaps or replace the gasket. Then clean all around the door frame. Food and water calcification might build up here.

2) Check the water sprayer and catch drain. If the catch drain is removable, pull it out. Clear out all food, slime, or any other buildup.

3) Run a cleaning cycle using detergent and vinegar. This will help keep the dishwasher clean longer.

4) Check to make sure the machine is level to prevent leaks.

Does Going Green Mean = Ditching Your Old Frig?

Published on April 22, 2009 in Uncategorized, dishwashers, going green, recycle and refrigerators. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Not necessarily.

According to a recent article in the New York Times on refrigerator appliances, any appliance that are over 15-years-old should probably be put out to pasture. That’s good news for about 80% of appliances.

If it’s avocado or brown-colored, it may be time to go. But when appliances are disposed of, we have to also think about the energy that goes into creating new ones, and the landfills that hold the old ones. If you’re dead set on getting rid of yours, make sure you call the company you get your new one from to come recycle your old one.

Good news for people who love their dishwashers — studies show they use less water than hand washing. On average, only 4-7 gallons. And with newer models, you don’t even have to pre-rinse by hand, which saves an additional gallon of water.

Easy and ecological. ;)

If you need parts to fix your dishwasher or your washer machine, give us a holler. We love making your appliances work in tip-top shape.