Australian GE Potscrubber Dishwasher

[mit634]

Hi Guys,

We have decided to start using an old GE Potscrubber dishwasher that we have had in storage for some time. We hooked it up and it ran through a cycle with no issues except for a small leak where the tub vent tube had perished at its base (this was easy to fix) and another near the drain pump. It looks as though the rubber inlet piece has gone hard and brittle and isn't sealing.

Is this part available to buy anywhere ? I have marked the part on pic #6.

Also any thoughts on the age of the dishwasher ? I think late 1970s to early 1980s. It looks very different from US Potscrubbers of the era. I suspect it might have been designed for the European market and so were sold here being 220-240V.

Thanks all. Appreciate the assistance.
Regards, Tim

 

[wilkinsservis]

Actually rebranded Vulcan Dishlex

GE had sold an American style Potscrubber in the 1970's , permatuff interior, central wash tower etc but by 1980 they were rebranding these more European style machines with stainless steel interior etc I believe they were still assembled in Australia. My parent's first dishwasher 1982 was the Vulcan version. Not the best design but did enough of the job to be a marked improvement over having to hand wash.

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Tim

That model is based on the Mark 7 dishlex models. Some parts are common to the Mark 8 and later.

It’s getting harder to find spare parts now, but have a hunt on line and see what you can turn up.

The big difference between the Mark 7 and later machines, is that the Mark 7 used a separate drain pump. The later machines reversed the wash motor to drain.

Cheers

Nathan

 

[bajaespuma]

Wow

I don't think any part of this machine, except maybe for the front escutcheon, was American made; and that's a good thing. Garbage is reserved for the American customer.

 

[mit634]

@wilkinsservice and @brisnat81: Thank you for your insights on the Potscrubber which isn't really apparently ! Your knowledge of our Australian appliance makes and models is really impressive to me. I know now to search Dishlex and Vulcan parts as well. So have I got it right that Vulcan and GE both marketed Dishlex based dishwashers and the Dishlex dishwashers in turn were based on a Euro design ? What Euro make did Dishlex base its models on then ?

@bajaespuma: Thanks for your reply. I feel you American customers always get the very best - the best quality, the most stylish, the biggest range and the most features. Just my observation.

***

I had more of a look at the Potscrubber leaking drain pump, removing the pump to study it more closely. I originally thought it was leaking from the impeller housing cover and so I made a new seal, however, it did not fix it. I now believe it is leaking from the impeller shaft seal so looks as though I need to find a new pump.

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Tim,

If it has a separate drain pump, you should be able to take it into a repair shop and they should be able to find a replacement pump that will fit. If it’s leaking from the seal in the wash pump, I may have a new one somewhere, I can’t remember whether I still have it however.

Make sure you connect it to hot water. It does heat the water, but with a 900watt element and 10l of water in the sump it will wash for hours while it heats to 65c if you cold fill.

The earlier Dishlex machines were based off Smeg machines. I have yet to find a European analog of the dishlex design that ran from the late 70s until the mid 90s. The mark 7 is loud as heck, the Mark 8 was the first one that got full sound deafening and actually was quiet. The Dissssshhhhhhhhhlex advertising started with the Mark 8. Yours will sound like a true GE in operation.

Cheers

Nathan

 

[mit634]

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for your advice and apologies for the delay in responding.

I've found a pump that I think will work. It's in the mail so fingers crossed.

Funny how we all remember those Dissssshhhhhhhlex commercials from the 80s. I'm no stranger to loud dishwashers as I also use a Kitchenaid KDS-17. I rather enjoy the sound it makes as I imagine what's going on inside.

Regards, Tim

 

[mit634]

Hi All,

This weekend I installed the replacement drain pump that I found online. I had to make two spacers from timber as you can see in the photo. However, it is quite a good replacement fit.

Also when the machine was transported to me, it had been dragged on its feet that were not screwed up against the chassis and so the original feet were either missing or bent, and their threaded hole in the chassis deformed beyond reuse. I found four new feet at the hardware store, straightened out the chassis metal as best I could and used U-nuts around the chassis metal to screw the feet into (second photo).

I ran it through a few cycles and the leaks have gone.

I did notice that the wash pump makes a cyclic whine while running. I found that if I open the door for a short period and then close it, the noise goes away and the pump sounds much better. I wonder if air is getting trapped in it somewhere since it starts running while the sump is still empty. Opening the door causes the then full amount of water to settle and displace the air. Just a theory. Any ideas ?

Also so far haven't been able to find much in the way of spare parts here or in Europe/UK. Does anyone have any suggestions ?

Thanks everyone !
Tim

 

[aussie-plugs]

Definitely Dishlex

When these came out and stood next to Dishlex machines in the shops, you could see they were related.

As others have mentioned, before Dishlex were manufactured here, they were imported from Europe. We had a Dishlex/SMEG in the mid-70's. (photo)

My aunt had the machine in the link below branded as Dishlex in the mid-60's

And I've seen a toploading 40s/50s machine in an old house which was also branded Dishlex.

Sadly all this history has been lost over the years as the companies have changed hands and been digested by their larger conquerors.

Zoppas Stovella Dishwasher?????

Hi All, Trolling through the net found a interesting machine! Tell me about it! - should I get it??

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[mit634]

Hello aussie-plugs,

Thank you for your reply and additional information. It seems the local brands liked to rebadge European appliances to sell here. Presumably being 220-240V made them ideal for our small market.

Kind regards,
Tim

 

[mit634]

Hello Everyone,

I have finally installed the GE Potscrubber in my Sydney property and it has cleaned many loads of dishes now without a problem (apart from shooting light things out of the cutlery basket - I have since reduced the pressure of the lower spray arm). It cleans and dries everything beautifully.

I also picked up some Dishlex Mark 8 parts on Ebay so hopefully I will be able to keep the Potscrubber cleaning for many years.

Here are a couple of pictures.

I also want to extend a big thank you to all the wonderful people on this forum who contributed in different ways to this project.

Tim

 

[mit634]

[No message]

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Tim. It looks terrific.

What are the three option buttons? Low heat, cool dry and potscrubber/pots and pans? I don’t think the Mark 7 had the 14 min fast wash.

Cheers

Nathan

 

[mit634]

Hi Nathan,

Thanks so much for your reply.

You are right, the options are Power Saver / Element Dry, Warm Wash / Hot Wash, and Potscrubber / Normal. I don't normally use them - I just pressed all the buttons so the lamps would be illuminated for the photo !

The shortest wash is when the timer is started at "7", however, I haven't timed it.

Warm regards,
Tim

 

[brisnat81]

Thanks Tim.

If it works like a Dishlex, the potscrubber button extends the wash cycle by 12 minutes during the Normal cycle

On the Dishlex, the cycles are labeled as follows

Rinse and Hold
Super wash
Heavy wash
Normal wash
Short wash
Rinses
Final rinse
Drying

I would be wary of using 6 and 7 because those would be in the rinse cycle on the Dishlex. They’d have limited rinse periods. I’d be interested to see if the detergent dispenser opens on those options.

Cheers

Nathan

 

[mit634]

Hi Nathan,

Thank you for the names of the Dishlex cycles. I much prefer the clarity of those to the symbols used on the Potscrubber.

The reason I thought 6 and 7 could be short wash cycles is that their symbols are a cup/saucer and glass respectively - i.e. those cycles could be used for lightly soiled items if desired.

However, I have checked and you are right that the detergent dispenser does not open if you start at 6 or 7.

Regards, Tim

 

[aussie-plugs]

Country of Origin?

Hi Tim,

Were these actually made here by Dishlex AU and rebadged as GE, or by the design parent of the Australian Dishlex family of the 70's, SMEG Italy?

On the outside, they look like the Italian machines - it gets hard to tell!

Cheers,

Nick

 

[mit634]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for your question, although I am honestly not sure of the answer. I haven't found any indication on the machine as to whether it was made locally or imported. Otherwise, I agree that the control panel has a very Euro feel. There are some Australian members of this forum who are far more knowledgeable than I am who might be able to advise.

Otherwise, I have added a photo of the compliance plate in case it helps anyone

Regards, Tim