GE Triton Profile Performance Dishwasher

[askimagain]

Hello all,

My name's John. I'm a long time reader and admirer of the group. I'm hoping that you all might have some advice. I've got a GE Triton/Profile Performance Dishwasher. (GSD5940) It's developed a leak that seems to coincide with draining. The dripping is causing an electrical burning smell and a popping sound. I've got the power turned off to the machine now. Any thoughts on this one? It was installed at the end of 2000 and I'm wondering if this is going to turn into an expensive repair -- what's the normal keep vs. replace cost?

I'd sure appreciate any thoughts that you have. I know there are some great experts out there!

Thanks in advance!

John

 

[coldspot66]

GE dishwashers are known to leak at the drain valve pivot point There is a small seal located inside the pump where the drain flapper is. Usual fix is a new pump/motor assembly. Most just buy a new machine. Also could be a leaky/split drain hose that is spraying water onto the motor. Have you taken the bottom panel off to see where the leak is coming from? Hope this helps!

BTW WELCOME!!!!!!

 

[askimagain]

Hey Coldspot!

Thanks for the quick reply! I did take off the bottom panel and saw a slow drip on the front/right of the machine. It kills me to think that it's better to replace than repair. This thing was expensive! I guess the next question to the room would be what to replace with if that's a better solution.

John

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Possibly Replacing your Dishwasher:

Welcome to the Applinace Club. Can you do any Repairs of your own on Appliances? I was thinking about maybe you can not only save the Labor expense, but make yourself proud of being able to say "I did it myself" to keep your Dishwasher operating a lot longer, as mentioned at the Cost of buying it. They really aren't that difficult to work on, especially for replacing the Motor/Pump Assembly, Seal{s} and Hoses.

I've gone with a Maytag Taller-Tub 2-Rack Dishwasher, when they first came available a few years ago. It does have the Plastic Interior Tub, instead of the Stainless Steel, but to me, the Cost factor isn't enough for me to ever Warrant looking into a Stainless Steel Interior. All of our Family Dishwashers have had a Plastic Interior Tub, except for a {GM} Frigidaire Custom Imperial that had the Vinyl-Like Soft feeling Interior, that tended after actually quite some time, would start to deteriorate, especially around the Pump/Tub Seal Opening.

I'm sure that some others will give you more advise as well. You might also check the Consumer Report's and see which Dishwashers are considered a {Best-Buy} and the Features first, before making your decision.

Good Luck with your decision, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[coldspot66]

Is the drip coming from the side of the tub near the front? Is it dripping from anywhere near the motor/pump assy? May be another type of leak. The upper rack roller assy that goes thru the tub side could be loose and leaking down the side onto the floor. Let me know. Didn't mean to 'condemn' just yet. There are also 2 corner tub seals(black) that are tucked into the front corners of the tub. If one is missing, you will get a leak from between the 2 door panels at the corners.

 

[askimagain]

Hey Coldspot,

I think it's the right corner, near the door. I'm not a fix-it expert either sadly. The idea of doing this myself seems great, but it screams of horrible household accident. (Or, at the very least, an embarrassing America's Funniest Home Videos moment.)

Steve,

Thanks for the new DW advice as well. There's a BestBuy about to open up in the next town over. Maybe they will have some grand opening specials - I'm also going to call the local appliance shop and see what's up there. As a small business owner, I like to support the locals guys as much as possible. For now, I'm <shiver> washing dishes by hand.

You all are the best!

John

 

[coldspot66]

John,

If the leak is coming from the right corner of the door, check to see if the black corner gasket is in place. It is a black piece of rubber that tucks into the left and right corners of the front of the tub....they/one might be missing. They just lay in there....no tools required.

 

[frigilux]

Sorry to hear of your DW woes. If you wind up having to make a new purchase, I second the vote for Maytag. I recently purchase this TOL model. It's a great machine. Cleaning is fantastic, especially with pots/pans. There is a similar model w/o the stainless steel tub for around $750. I paid $950 for mine at a local dealer.

Good luck!

 

[askimagain]

Hi Coldspot!

Thanks for the advice - the seal looks ok. I've got the dishwasher doctor coming on Wednesday am. Hopefully it will be an easy and inexpensive fix.

Thanks for the callout frigilux!

I'll check that one out -- My parents had the 3 rack Maytag at their last house. It was a pretty cool machine.

John

 

[askimagain]

The Verdict is in....

and it's a leaking rinse hose. (The one that feeds the wash arm for the upper rack.) It's leaking outside the tub from the top, and the water dripping down the sides was causing the sparks. It will be a couple of hundred bucks to repair...the worst part is the delay waiting for the part!

Thanks for the insights on this. Glad to be part of the group.

John

 

[frigilux]

A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS FOR A HOSE REPLACEMENT?! Sorry, am I yelling? That's a bit steep. I'd make sure nothing else was wrecked by the water if there were sparks involved. Wow. Hopefully nothing else was degraded and your machine will wash many hundreds more loads.

 

[askimagain]

It does seem like a lot - I guess I chalked it up to the "everything is expensive in Metro NY thing." Also, it's for both visits, the service call and the repair. They're going to have to pull the DW to replace the hose. The people that we bought this house from remodeled the kitchen, adding Mexican tile up to the front of the DW and not under it -- it's going to be a pain to pull it out and get it back in again. I don't know if it would be cheaper to shop the job around - but it would delay the repair even longer.

What a pain!