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Wednesday, December 31, 2003

Mailbag: Slow Water Flow into a Washer, Part I

Craig Raper wrote:
I have a Kenmore washer, model 110.28972891. I read your page about washer water problems. My washer is about 4 years old and we just replaced the pump due to a few small leaks in it. Also a while back the fabric softener dispenser was leaking and it got replaced. We also replaced the hoses recently and after replacing the hoses I could not get much of any cold water flowing. In your write up on this problem you mentioned the inlet screen. I know where the mixing valve is and the solenoid attached to it. How do I get to the inlet screen? I don't see them at the end of the tubes that the water hoses hook up to, and there are none on the hoses themselves (not on the original ones either). From what I can see on the parts blow-up diagram, there are two solenoids on this valve.

Thanks for any help you can give.

_______________________________
The above message was sent when you were offline, via your LivePerson site.

You have fought bravely and honorably in this mortal combat with your washer, Grasshopper. And now, the Samurai is here to help you deliver le coup de grace.

The protective screen on your inlet valve is clogged with sediment and probably looks something like this. The recommended practice in this case is to replace the whole valve. Sometimes, you can clean the screen using a Dremel tool with a wire brush attachment or a toothbrush. But, whatever you do, avoid the Cute Plumber's Trick where you simply remove the screen altogether and then return the valve to normal service. It's called a protective screen for a reason: to protect the valve from sediment and pipe scale and prevent it from getting stuck open. Let this haiku from the Samurai Scrolls of Appliantology be your victorious katana in this, your Hour of Appliance Repair Misogi:

the bamboo reveals all
Cold water dribbles
lifeless into the washer.
Replace inlet valve.

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As long as you're poking around back there with the water hoses off the valve, now's a good time to get rid of those cheesy black rubber hoses which can (and do!) fail without warning, like this one, and install steel-braided hoses--it's the cheapest flood insurance you can buy!

Oh, I know, you're saying, "Enlighten me further in the ways of washer flood prevention, oh Ancient Ameliorator of Aging Appliances." Ahh, Grasshopper, the Samurai heard your petition for wisdom before you even knew enough to ask. Come, read the Sacred Samurai Scriptures on preventing washer floods.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 20:25 ET.  [permalink]
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Monday, December 29, 2003

Samurai On the Air

Be sure to listen to Morning Liftoff on WNTK 99.7 FM tomorrow morning, Tuesday, 12/30/2003, starting just after the 8:30 ET break. The Samurai will be live and on the air for as long as the G-Team can stand it. So, if you tune in after 8:31, you'll probably miss it. If you're local to the WNTK listening area (and you know who you are) then tune in on your radio. For you Grasshoppers not blessed with living here in the Upper Valley Region of NH and VT, you can tune in with your web browsers here.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2003

The Samurai Gets Airborne

Fixitnow.com is now a time/weather sponsor on WNTK, 1020 AM and 99.7 FM, a major radio station based in New London, NH, that broadcasts to the Upper Valley Region of New Hampshire and Vermont. And through their webcast, WNTK is carrying the Samurai's message of appliance repair hope to grasshoppers all over the globe.

WNTK is also the home of the stellar Morning Liftoff program with George Russell, Pete Merrigan, and Hilary Cogen. George, who sounds like the love child of Rod Stewart and Fran Drescher, is the charismatic host of the show and is deftly assisted by his crackerjack co-hosts, Pete and Hilary. Together, they are the G-Team. From 6am to 10am every weekday morning, they're spinning tunes, slapping shtick, and flapping their gums about current events. If you're tired of wiping your ears on the Anus in the Morning show, check out Morning Liftoff. It's an enema for your ears...or something like that. Tune in and checkout what's happening in the Samurai's 'hood.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 18:39 ET.  [permalink]
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Yes! The Samurai and Mr. Appliance are Working Christmas Day!

Cooking your Christmas turkey and your range dies? Never fear, Samurai Appliance Repair Man is here! From his world-wide headquarters here in beautiful and genteel New London, New Hampshire, the Samurai will come into your home via phone, fax, email, and online chat to help you fix your range, refrigerator, or any other major appliance that threatens to darken your holiday cheer. The Samurai can help you fix it now in a Live Appliance Repair Help Session.

If you live in the New London, NH, area, call Mr. Appliance anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for fast, expert appliance repair service on any of your major appliances. Any brand. Any problem. Anytime. Including Christmas Day!

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 07:58 ET.  [permalink]
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Tuesday, December 23, 2003

Just in Time for Christmas: Live Appliance Repair Help Gift Certificates!

Christmas is just two days away and many of you still haven't figured out what to get for that kind-of special someone. Many of you fixit dudes and dudettes have emailed me with much weeping and gnashing of teeth about your dilemma, turning to the Samurai to offer the solution, as I have so many times before. Rest easy, my ruffled grasshoppers and unflutter your delicate wings flapping in the winds of anxiety: the Samurai has heard your plaintive cries and once again dashes in to save your sorry butts.

Live Help Gift Certificate--buy yours today!  Click for larger view.Now, just in time for Christmas, the Samurai and Fixitnow.com are proud to offer Live Help Gift Certificates. Give that special but almost-forgotten someone a truly special gift, even more precious than anything you could buy from the jewelry department at the Wal-Mart. Yes, you can give the gift of live appliance repair help with the Samurai. You can be heroes, just for one day. With live appliance repair help, the Samurai will help them get that stove or refrigerator or any other major appliance fixed right now.

Single-repair gift certificates are only $25 and are good for live help on any major appliance problem. Got a handy guy or gal in your life and not sure what to get 'em? Instead of wasting money on another lame tool that they'll never use, buy them a one-year subscription to live appliance repair help for only $45. The gift certificates never expire and make an impressive presentation in even the ugliest Christmas cards. This year, give the gift that says, "Get the damn thing fixed already, you bonehead!"

All gift certificate deliveries are guaranteed to arrive before Christmas so come git you one!

To purchase a single-repair live appliance repair help gift certificate for $25, click this button:
To purchase a gift certificate for a one-year subscription to live appliance repair help for $45, click this button:
all major credit cards accepted, eChecks, too!

For more information about live appliance repair help here at Fixitnow.com with the Samurai, click here.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 08:44 ET.  [permalink]
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Moostafa Returns!

Moostafa, the Ayatollah of Appliance RepairOur dear, dear friend, Moostafa, the Ayatollah of Appliance Repair, runs the world-renowned Moostafa's Mecca of Appliance Repair. Several months ago, Moostafa's tent was mistaken for a Taliban headquarters and was bombed by Ameedican, er, I mean, American troops. Since then, no one heard from Moostafa and we all feared the worst.

However, today I am delighted to announce that I have just received an email from Moostafa telling me that he and all 17 of his voluptuous wives escaped unharmed although, sadly, three of their milking yaks were killed. Despite this regrettable loss of livestock, we sing thanks and praise to Allah for preserving Moostafa and his harem. Moostafa is looking forward to getting back to work in his forum, helping you wage holy war on your insolent appliances. Come with me now and visit with the Ayatollah.

"But wait," you say, "who is Moostafa and what makes him such an appliance guru?" Ok, fair question. I'll tell you a little about him.

Moostafa comes to us from Jalalabad, Afghanistan, where he powers his iMac off a camel dung and lime juice battery that he designed himself. It's exactly that kind of Afghani know-how that makes Moostafa such a valuable appliance guru. So, come, kick off your sandals and gather 'round the carpet with the Ayatollah of Appliance Repair and learn to cast out the demons that plague your appliances.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 08:42 ET.  [permalink]
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Monday, December 22, 2003

Appliance Service Calls...Samurai Style

I've always had a bushy head of hair and I usually don't bother trimming my beard. So, this is how I used to look when I'd go out for an appliance repair service call:

the samurai before the shearing

But then I started thinking maybe I was scaring my customers. I dunno, little things, like I go up to the house and knock on the door and they'd answer with a shotgun in their hands. So, I figgered I better git me a hair cut and now I look like this:

the samurai after the shearing

And would you believe that when I go out on appliance service calls, I still get people answering the door armed!? That's what I love about this bidness--there's just no telling what people will do!

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 17:21 ET.  [permalink]
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Mailbag: Range Error Codes

Jeff wrote:
We have an F1 code on our Magic Chef Gas Range. We tried replacing the full ERC touchpad which was really expensive and found that was not the problem unless we got a faulty one?

In surfing the net we found a notation that recently in Maytag the F1 error could be due to a Oven Temperature Sensor that needs to be replaced. Have you heard of this before?

If you think this needs to be replaced is it difficult to do so, any tricks we need to know.

Appreciate your help. We waited 3 weeks for the last part and are trying to get this fixed before Christmas so we can cook our turkey.

THANK YOU!!

_______________________________
The above message was sent when you were offline, via your LivePerson site.

Message sent from IP: 24.81.164.118

Appliance manufacturers (praise be their holy names), in their infinite wisdom and mercy have determined that it is in our best interest that they carefully guard the meanings of their precious fault codes. And to make our joy complete, they even vary the codes from model to model! So, even though there are no standard fault codes, even within the same brand, Allah has revealed ALL appliance fault codes to me in a dream. Yea verily, God bless Allah!

I don't know where you got the information on the sensor but F1 on Magic Chef ranges almost always means a bad membrane switch--that is, the touch pad that attaches to the clock/electronic range control (ERC) board. Many times, this is mistaken for a bad ERC. To prove that it's the membrane switch at fault, cut power to the range and disconnect the ribbon strip that connects the touch pad to the ERC board. Then re-apply power to the range. If no fault code appears, then replace the membrane switch. Otherwise, if you still get a fault code, replace the ERC.

If it is the oven sensor, it's easy enough to check. At room temperature, 70°F, the resistance of the most common sensors used today is 1000-1100 ohms. What this means is that if you pull those sensor wires to measure the sensor's resistance and it reads slap-a$$ open, why, it don't take a rocket scientist like myself to figger out that you got yourself a bad sensor! Wasn't that easy?

Just for grins, I've included the table below to show you the sensor resistance reading at various temperatures. Viva la Resistance!

Oven Sensor Resistances
Temperature (°F) Resistance (ohms)
100 1143
200 1350
300 1553
350 1654
400 1753
500 1949
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Sunday, December 21, 2003

Audiophile

One of the Samurai's winter hiking budrows emailed a while back expressing his appreciation for some of my audio posts. Let 'em tickle your ears, too.

Dave wrote:
You make my hear ache! Here it is a balmy 65 degrees in PA and I make the mistake of clicking on to the new and improved Fixitnow.com website and see SNOW! You suck! Then I hear your message from Mars, I've got mail jingle and the Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy Your Flight stuff and find myself thinking that I just gotta bust on up and down a few with the Samurai and do some hiking. But......then I come across this Cacapee Bird call..... Whew! I ain't goin' no where cause you mest up!

_______________________________
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Update: Dave is making the trek up here to God's Country next week to bust some snow in the White Mountains with the Samurai. Film at Eleven.

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Saturday, December 20, 2003

Mailbag: Dryer Stops when the Start Button is Released

Rudy wrote:
I have a kenmore dryer that is about 4 years old and the problem is when I press the start button the motor runs and it should stay on, but the minute I release the start button it shuts off. I checked the thermal fuse and got continuity. I Thank you for your help in this matter. Domo arigato.

_______________________________
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Even Heat Control Board--click for larger viewIf your dryer is a Whirlpool/Kenmore, the culprit is this little boogar, the Even Heat Control Board. It's located in your dryer's control console, you'll have to open it up to get to it. This parts breakdown of the control console will help you--it's item 13.

Awwite, go fix your dryer.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 04:26 ET.  [permalink]
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Bird Watching Update: Rare Sighting of the Cacapee Bird

The rare and beautiful Cacapee bird once flourished throughout all New England. The name, Cacapee, is an Iroquois word meaning, "beautiful feathers." Its long, brightly colored tail plume was highly prized for fashionable head wear. The wing feathers of the Cacapee were commonly used as "tonsil ticklers" in the vomitoriums which were hubs of social activity in New England during the Colonial period. Because of these popular uses of its feathers, the Cacapee bird was hunted to near-extinction. In fact, this exquisite bird was thought to be extinct...until now.

During one of his recent bird-watching missions, the Samurai documented the existence of one of the last remaining Cacapee birds on the entire planet. The bird was spotted in a forest abutting Lake Sunapee, near the Samurai's home town of New London, New Hampshire. Unfortunately, the camera was damaged in a shower mishap, so no image is available. However, the audio recording survived. Here, now, is the only recording in existence of the Cacapee bird's mating call (patent-pending, all rights reserved, void where prohibited). Let's listen:

Powered by audblogaudio post powered by audblog

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 04:15 ET.  [permalink]
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Mailbag: Kenmore (Frigidaire) Front Load Washer Noisy Spin

harry wrote:
have kenmore front loader,When it goes in to final spin knocks like crazy try to locate problem cant find any thing wrong,But as soon as final spin starts the load noise begins

_______________________________
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Although it's labelled Kenmore, Frigidaire manufactures this machine. I've been seeing this problem on several service calls lately. Two common troublemakers can cause this problem, one minor and the other a muthah. Fortunately, the minor one is also the more common one. To check both, you'll need to remove the back panel of the washer.

Drum drive pulley--click for larger viewFirst thing to check is the drive pulley. Work that sucker back and forth and make sure it's on the shaft good n' tight. If there's any play at all, it'll make a gawd-awful racket when the washer goes into spin. If you do find that it's loose, then most likely the flat of the shaft has worn the flat on the aluminum pulley. Don't screw around with trying to shim the pulley because that's just a bandaid and you'll just be living on borrowed time. Go ahead and git you a new pulley.

The other problem is more severe and you better to pray to the appliance gods that you don't have it. This unhappy situation is caused by a leaking tub seal that rusted the tub bearing. You'll know right away if this is your problem by the tell-tale rust streaks on the back of the tub. The genius engineers at Frigidaire made the tub bearing an integral part of the tub so to change the bearing, you have to replace the whole frikkin' tub. It's about a three hour job that requires almost $400 in parts. I nominate that Frigidaire engineer for the Dumbass of the Year award. Can I hear an amen?

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Mailbag: Electric Dryer Runs but Doesn't Heat

AL wrote:
I followed your instuctions and cleaned out the vent system. But my Kenmore 70 series dryer continues to run with no heat.
Do I just replace the heating element or do I replace the thermostat? I've yet to pick up A ohm meter, but I will today.

_______________________________
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Message sent from IP: 152.163.252.70

For an electric dryer that runs but doesn't heat, follow this repair roadmap:

  1. Flip the circuit breaker off and then back on. Electric dryers run on a two-pole, 240v breaker. A common problem is for one of the legs to break which cuts the 240v that the elements need to heat up but it still supplies the 120v for the motor. The result is that the dryer runs but doesn't heat.
  2. If the breaker checks out, then it's time to do some surgery. Unplug the dryer and open it up. Disassembly instructions are here for all common brands.
  3. Use your ohm meter to test the thermostats. All should show continuity.
  4. Measure the resistance of the heating element with your ohm meter. Normal readings are in the neighborhood of 30 ohms.
  5. In rare cases, the centrifugal switch in the motor can fail which breaks the power circuit for the heating elements. If this is the case, then the entire motor must be replaced since the centrifugal switch is built into the motor.

If you need more help, post your question in the repair forum at the Samurai School of Appliantology.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 03:14 ET.  [permalink]
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The Inner Sanctum of Appliance Repair

You got questions? We got answers in the the inner sanctum of appliance repair wisdom: the Appliantology Group. I know, you're wondering what could the Appliantology Group possibly offer that isn't already contained in the vast repository of appliance repair wisdom here at Fixitnow.com. Two things: 1) hundreds of repair diagrams, photos, and illustrations for all your major appliances and 2) a repair forum where you can post your questions and get personalized help from Master Appliantologists. Admission to this inner sanctum of sublime appliance wisdom is free and painless. Join us.

In the Appliantology Group, we're always fixin' something good.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2003

Mailbag: Repairing an Electric Coffee Percolator

Alicea wrote:
I have an old electric percolator and I think I fried something. I made the brilliant move of plugging it in with no water in it. And,left it like that for an hour. The electricity moves thru the cord fine, and into the pot. But, I can't get it to do anything from there. There are no fuses. I'm not sure what else to check out. Thanks

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12 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee PercolatorIf you really like percolated coffee, take this opportunity to "recycle" your broken, plug-in percolator and get a spiffy, stainless steel, stovetop percolator. Works with gas or electric stoves and you can even take it camping!

Nissan Stainless Steel Coffee PressWhen I'm not swilling a cold, frosty brewski, I'm slurping a mug of hot Green Mountain Breakfast Blend coffee, perfectly brewed in my Nissan coffee press. The coffee press brewing method is vastly superior to the percolating technique because there is no risk of scalding the brew causing undesirable oxidation of the fats which give properly brewed coffee its nose-tickling aroma and buttery texture. Try it once and you'll never go back to percolated coffee.

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Lunatic Dog

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Fixitnow.com

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Saturday, December 13, 2003

Mailbag: "Repairing" a New Oven Thermostat

Peter L. wrote:
Oh wise Samurai Appliance Repair Man, I need your help to fix my oven and save my marriage?

I wish I still lived in Bradford, NH, in which case I could perhaps try to arrange an on-site visit, but I now live in Washington, DC.

Ah, the long version of my tale was too long, but suffice it to say the following. I had to replace the thermostat on my GE electric, self-cleaning range. I disassembled the new thermostat, thinking I might better be able to thread the capillary tube, but I realized that it was soldered internally so no go. Unfortunately, in the process, some parts came out and, since it now doesn't work, I guess I didn't know how to put them back. (Oven just heats and heats.)

Can you tell me how the internal elements go back together? It's GE part # WB21X5320. I can provide more details by email, and the beer fund will grow! Thanks!

_______________________________
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GE oven thermostat--Click for larger viewOh, feckless grasshopper, what folly hast thou wrought with thy pernicious meddling? Oven thermostats are lovingly assembled at the factory by specially-trained Chinese political prisoners under exacting conditions using intricate little parts. Thermostats should never be disassembled by the uninitiated...unless you just want to dissect it like a frog in biology class. Your only recourse at this point is to shell out another $160 to buy a new thermostat.

And let that be a lesson to you!

Recommended Reading: Oven Thermostat Repair Lab Report

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Thursday, December 11, 2003

Mailbag: Using Liquid Dishwasher Detergent in a Dishwasher

Jeff wrote:
Great websight in both looks and content. I've got one question about dishwashers. I've been using "CASCADE" liquid dishwashing detergent and have had the rotating disc over the resevour not opening sometimes during the entire washing sequence. I've just rinsed the washer with vinegar and it opened as it should during that cycle. Another websight noted to NEVER use a liquid dishwashing detergent. Do you agree that the granular type is the only one that should be used?
Thanks in advance. . .Jeff

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Absotootely! Liquid and gel detergents are a Bozo No-No in dishwashers because they just gunk up the works. Dishwashers have some delicate parts and the gel and liquid dishwasher detergents tend to gum up the works, especially around the soap door area. Avoid gels and liquids and stick with powdered dishwasher detergents. For best results, use Basic D.

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Sunday, December 07, 2003

Nor'easter

the samurai crew showshoeingthe samurai and his faithful snowblower clearing the wayHad our first winter Nor'easter. Pretty good one, too. Got about 2 feet of dry snow that was ideal for shoein' and blowin'. Took some pictures of the winter transformation. Check 'em out.


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Monday, December 01, 2003

Mailbag: Diagnosing Dishwasher Door Leaks

Tom wrote:
Nice website. I have about an 8 yr old Maytag dishwasher, Model # DWU8330AAX, that leaks at the bottom of the door. About a cup or more of water is collected in 7 plastic cups lined up under the door. Gaskets seem fine. Please help. I can't afford a new dishwasher for a long time.

Thanks,
Tom

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Ahh, the mysterious dishwasher door leak. Yes, grasshopper, the Samurai has the information you seek in this Appliance Tip of the Day.

All hail Hirohito!

Samurai Appliance Repair Man cast these pearls at 18:17 ET.  [permalink]
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Appliance Tip of the Day: Diagnosing Dishwasher Door Leaks

appliance tip of the day archiveWhen diagnosing water leaking from you dishwasher door, you need to determine if the water is coming from inside the door liner, from underneath the door, or out the door gasket. Here a few things to check before pulling out your tool box.

  • Dishwasher Installation is Critical!
    The dishwasher has to be level, with all four legs firmly on the ground, and square. Check the level front to back and side to side. Level is especially critical if your dishwasher has a plastic tub because these can be warped by cruddy installation jobs.


  • Oversudsing
    Gawd, I can't even count how many service calls I've been on leaking dishwashers only to find that the problem was either 1) using too much soap or 2) someone (usually hubby) put in liquid dishwashing soap instead of dishwashing detergent. In either case, the dishwasher will whip up more suds than an overcharged keg in a brewpub and you'll end up with soapy water all over your floor.


  • Water Overfill
    The water level should come up to the bottom edge of the heating element. To check this, open the door after the dishwasher fills with water and starts spraying. If the dishwasher is not level front to back and is pitched forward, the water level will be above the heating element in front but below the element in back.


  • Door Alignment
    The door liner needs to be centered in the door gasket. If it ain't...you guessed it, LEAK!


  • Door Gasket
    Cracks, tears, and shrinkage can all cause a door gasket to leak. Sometimes, on older dishwashers, the gasket can look ok, but the rubber has become age-hardened and so doesn't make a good seal with the cabinet anymore. This is especially true with Kitchenaids.


  • Lid Latch Grommet
    This is the little gasket that seals the latch on the soap door. A common source of leaks with Maytag dishwashers is that this grommet will tear and cause leaks. Easy $2 fix.


  • Wash Arm
    Lots of times, plastic wash arms will split at the seams. This pushes high pressure water directly at the door and out through the gasket. To check the spray arm for splits, run the dishwasher to heat the arm then grab both ends and gently twist, looking for splits.


  • Front Tub Flange
    Sometimes the front tub flange on plastic basins can warp and pucker outward, causing leaks. Use a heat gun or warm up the plastic and bend it back into place.

Still confoosed, grasshopper? For more pearls of wisdom about your dishwasher, click here.

grasshoppers waiting to load the dishwasher after the master finishes stuffing his pie hole with flesh meats.

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Your Appliance Guru:
Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Kicking appliance butt all over the globe.
"If I can't help you fix your appliance
and make you 100% satisfied,
I will come to your home and slice open my belly,
spilling my steaming entrails onto your floor."

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