GE Monogram DW - Is it getting enough water?

[johninpeekskill]

Hey everyone,

I'm wondering if you all have any suggestions?

I have a GE/Monogram DW model ZDT870SSF0SS. There's nothing blocking the soap dispenser, the filters are all clean and I run the hot water before I start the machine and the soap never completely dissolves. I either find part of a pod or, as you see the the photo, there's detergent left behind. This was Cascade Complete powder. I usually use the Cascade Complete pods.

I've tried to take apart as much as I can to clean the interior and the jets. I'm constantly wiping out the machine interior and it's quick to smell funky. It gets run pretty much once a day.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

John

 

[petek]

What is the temperature of the water coming out of your faucet and what is the temperature of the water in the machine when the wash cycle begins?

 

[johninpeekskill]

Water Temp

I've got an old school non-digital thermometer I use to test meat on the grill. When I run the hot water I'm getting 135 - 140. I started the DW on a rinse cycle and the first fill water in the tub was at about 100.

 

[appnut]

That first fill still gets cooled down due to the dishwasher cavity being room temp and with your dishwasher having a stainless interior, that takes much more to raise the temperature of the dishwasher cavity.

 

[petek]

But what is the wash cycle temperature? Maybe it's not hot enough to dissolve everything and you're getting a buildup of gunk. That's my first go to. Second is to be sure the bottom spray arm is actually revolving by opening the door a few times during the wash cycle and looking to see if it's in different positions from the previous.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

water level

What is the water level in the machine?

 

[johninpeekskill]

Wash Water

I waited until the soap opened - water temp was still about 100.

 

[petek]

100 deg is far off the mark. Something is amiss. Is this a new machine or did it just start happening? Did previous machines have this problem??

 

[johninpeekskill]

Follow-up

It's maybe 9 years old? I don't believe the last DW had this issue. It was not always this way with this machine. Been getting worse, of late.

 

[petek]

offhand then I would say the heater has been failing or failed completely

 

[gelaundry4ever]

water

The water level should just below the heater, above the pump intake for maximum recirculation.

 

[appnut]

I would suggest adding abut a quart of hot water after if finishes a fill period and see if that would improve resuts as that would probably give the machine a near typical full charge of water for full circulationn strength. If that improves, then the fill valve is choked with sediment. Particularly if you have hard water.

 

[vacerator]

Follow-up

It's maybe 9 years old? I don't believe the last DW had this issue. It was not always this way with this machine. Been getting worse, of late.

Our GE Profile from 2011 began not getting enough water a few years ago. I replaced the inlet valve on the machine, the one in the shut off valve basement, and the hose from it. No change. Maybe the rubber water line on the side of the machine has mineral deposits? It's thinner than they used to be.
Not bothering with it again. I add 2 glasses of hot water before the pre wash, and another 2 after the detergent dumps for the main wash. It usually only needs one glass for the rinses. A bother, but it still washes well.

 

[phillymatt53]

About 10 years ago, my neighbor picked up a similar GE Monogram dishwasher.
It was a used model, and was told that it works.
Well, my neighbor completely remodeled his kitchen, floor to ceiling.
Surprise, when he initially tested the machine, it wouldn't do anything, even though the led's on the control panel responded to the controls.

Upon my troubleshooting, I determined that the control board was the problem.
A call to GE customer service with the board's part number - and the woman told me it would cost $550. - plus shipping!
That struck a red flag of inflation/price gouging in my brain, and I told her that the control board didn't contain precious diamonds, rubies, or gold bars,
I told her to get back to me once that was figured out.
15 minutes later she called and said it NOW would cost $149, plus shipping.
Helluva price reduction!
My neighbor went for it, and I installed the board. - voila!.... the machine now ran!
However, a few months later, the main motor siezed up.
I disassembled it and replaced the bearings and cleaned/lubed it.
So far so good.

My experience with those Monogram's is this - not worth the high cost, and low reliability.
My old 1971 Hobart-Kitchenaid KD19 managed to last decades and is still running great.
So goes that old saying: "They don't make 'em like that anymore!"

 

[vacerator]

I see no point in even spending $150 on a control board for a 24 year old machine that has never had a repair other than the inlet valve. We use it about every 5 to 7 days.

 

[phillymatt53]

I see no point in even spending $150 on a control board for a 24 year old machine that has never had a repair other than the inlet valve. We use it about every 5 to 7 days.

Well, my neighbor's machine was 13 years old when he got it.
Being in nice physical condition for the price, he wanted it to match his Monogram fridge and Kenmore range, all in that stainless steel face look.
Besides, after spending lots on tearing apart and remodeling the kitchen, it was a small price to him.

As for me, my kitchen's a classic 1970's modern style that I'm happy with.
I'm not one to "buy into" the advertizing hype that many are prone to.
I just want everything to work, and it seems that older appliances last longer.

 

[donprohel]

If this is of any comfort, I have the same issue with my European AEG/Electrolux dishwasher even using the 70 °C / 158 °F "Pots and Pans" cycle with the "Extra Clean" option, which increases both the time and the water pressure.

At least in my dishwasher, the problem is that there isn't any water jet directly aimed at the detergent dispenser.

Especially tabs with dissolvable film are a problem: the film does not dissolve but just turn into a sticky mess and the tab sticks to the dispenser without falling in the bottom of the dishwasher where it would dissolve in the water.

The only solution I have found has been to find a powder soluble enough or, alternatively, using tabs without the wrapping film; of course, pods are not an option

 

[gelaundry4ever]

If the pump is cavitating, chances are that there's not enough water.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Well, my neighbor's machine was 13 years old when he got it.
Being in nice physical condition for the price, he wanted it to match his Monogram fridge and Kenmore range, all in that stainless steel face look.
Besides, after spending lots on tearing apart and remodeling the kitchen, it was a small price to him.

As for me, my kitchen's a classic 1970's modern style that I'm happy with.
I'm not one to "buy into" the advertizing hype that many are prone to.
I just want everything to work, and it seems that older appliances last longer.

View attachment 315900

I agree 100%. If I like new, it has to work right the first time, every time.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Hey everyone,

I'm wondering if you all have any suggestions?

I have a GE/Monogram DW model ZDT870SSF0SS. There's nothing blocking the soap dispenser, the filters are all clean and I run the hot water before I start the machine and the soap never completely dissolves. I either find part of a pod or, as you see the the photo, there's detergent left behind. This was Cascade Complete powder. I usually use the Cascade Complete pods.

I've tried to take apart as much as I can to clean the interior and the jets. I'm constantly wiping out the machine interior and it's quick to smell funky. It gets run pretty much once a day.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

John

View attachment 306183

View attachment 306184

Check and see if the water valve isn't blocked. I'd also check that sufficient water flow and pressure are coming into the dishwasher so there's enough pressure without cavitation. In other words, the pressure should be constant.