GE dishwasher making a noise!

[vacuumfreeeke]

Well, my GE Nautilus portable dishwasher has began making a noise in this past week, after a year of faithful service. Mind you I bought it used from Craig's List and I have on average used it 3 times a week for about the year I've had it.

The noise comes intermittently during the wash cycle and it is just a rattling sound. I removed the racks and ran it empty and the rattling sound was still there. It sounds like it is coming from the bottom of the machine. It doesn't seem to do it during fill or drain, just in the middle of the wash.

The noise only lasts a few seconds at a time and then goes away. The performance of the machine is unchanged. Anyone have a clue as to what the noise might be? I know this isn't an expensive machine... should I be checking Craig's List for a new machine or are parts easy to find and replace for it?

Thanks for any help )

 

[coldspot]

I use to own the same dishwasher. You might be hearing the food grinder. It is under the cover on the inside bottom of the machine something like three screws to remove the cover.

I found out also the cover gets nasty over time. Does not hurt to remove and wash it in the sink. I little hard to get to but it is made to be remove and to check the food grinder.

The cover is to the back right hand side on the bottom. It has some small slots on the front in side of it. Mine was white.

 

[coldspot]

Forgot to say. This dishwasher was the best I ever owned for a portable. Mine had a good long life. Reason I no longer have it my sister got a new home and I gave it to her as a used gift. She is still useing it today. I got mine in 2000. I used it ever other day tell about 2006. She now is using it almost every day.

Only thing to ever go out was the timer adn that was a easy fix.

I say if it works and is doing a good job keep it.

 

[coldspot]

Also here is the user guide for it. They have no changed it at all since I got mine. It is called a soft food disposer.

http://products.geappliances.com/Ap...ST=SPECPAGE&SKU=GSC3400JBB&SITEID=GEA&TABID=4

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Thanks for the response. I didn't know it had a food grinder! Do you think the food grinder is just dirty or has something stuck in it?

I have been in love with it since I got it, and it has performed flawlessly heretofore. A little loud, but the dishes certainly get clean and I barely have to do a thing.

What did you replace your Nautilus with? I think that was a great gift for your sister... as much as I love my vacuum cleaners, the dishwasher is the most labor saving device in my apartment!

 

[coldspot]

Oh it might have something in it. Be careful and make sure the thing is unplugged. Once the cover is off there is a little plastic thing that pulls out. It is a grease trap I think. Use you fingers to fill inside the hole there will be water in it. Also there are I think it was 2 little blades there not sharp but are there. Fill for any thing like odd.

Few times mine did this was. One a popcorn kernel lol Other time was a part of bone fron a chicken.

And belive me the cover will be nasty looking. I found that out also. You be shock what and how much grease and junk hangs to it. I even use to use dishwasher cleaner but it never cut that problem.

One other tip I found out. The part on the bottom between the door and frame. It also is a place that picks up dirt.

It would not hurt to clean it out at all. I did mine about once a year or if I heard the odd noise I would clean it. There bolt type screws for got what size they are but are slandered. I think it is 3 of theme. The part once there out just left right up and you can give it a bath.
Reason I did not buy another GE price was over $400.00 around here. Other wise I would pick one up any day.

I now have a danby. I love it it is smaller 18inch. But just me so it works great. Only thing I do misses is the food grinder. Other wise Danby seems to work great and gets things clean. Thought the ge did hold a lot more.

 

[spankomatic]

Watch for broken glass!

Broken glass is good for making those kinds of noises and damageing platic food grinder and pump parts. Use caution!

 

[andrewinorlando]

The other thing that tends to make a rattling sound on those machines is the lever that activates the drain valve when the machine switches to drain mode. The lever that connects the solenoid to the valve has a tendency to rattle while the machine washes. If you remove the bottom panel and look at the solenoid, and jiggle the lever, you'll notice it is not a tight fit. Sometimes this rattles during the wash. Nothing wrong with the machine, just annoying.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Coldspot, I did take the dishwasher apart as you described... I did it a couple nights ago at 3 AM during a moment of insomnia. Your instructions were great. I didn't have any problems at all! This coming from someone who collects vacuum cleaners and has actually had to throw them away in the past because he couldn't get them back together again! I actually had fun taking the dishwasher apart (though mine only had 2 screws, the third was missing)... It was really neat to reach in and feel the plastic blades of the soft food dissposer. Kind of an S shaped thing. I even turned it both directions with my fingers just for fun. I didn't find anything in there that shouldn't have been... there was just water (which should be there!) that I soaked up with microfiber cloths so I could feel around better. The undeside of that plate was pretty nasty and I bleached it clean.

Andrew, thanks for responding. I just assumed something was wrong because it didn't make the noise before and now it does. But, since it's working fine, you must be right. I just decided to give up and if something does break, then I'll know what's wrong!



Thanks again )