WP/Kenmore dishwasher experts I need help

[bajaespuma]

Just yesterday I noticed a really foul odor coming from inside my Kenmore Ultra-Wash II. I began to wonder if the filter was covered with some festering goo so I ran an empty load with bleach to see if I could kill whatever offender was responsible. It made it a little better, but the smell is still there so I am trying to find the filter to clean it all out.

 

Is there, in fact, a filter down there that might be matted with a lot of smelly filth?

 

 Is this something I can do? I haven't been able to locate my user's manual, but armed with my power screwdriver, I removed the first tier of screws which seem to be designed to discourage amateurs like me from going deeper than removing the wash arm. I removed two screws on one side which seem to hold down some kind of recirculation port, but I have stopped at removing one large bolt in the center of the whole system that is covering 4 other screws which look like they might free the cover and reveal the filter(s) below. I must say that I am getting annoyed at appliances that have filters but make it very hard for the user to get at them for interval maintenance

 

The first picture is where I began; the second picture is as far as I got before I thought better of it and decided to ask for some help/advice. I just had an image of myself wrestling off that center bolt and hearing a "clunk" that would mean I mananged to dislodge the motor/pump assembly from its perch, requiring me to pull the whole unit out for major surgery.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

KM dishwasher smell

IIRC that machine does not have filters. It uses a soil separator which is entirely self cleaning. Crud can build up under the lip of the tank right inside the door or in the drying vent. Clean out those 2 areas and see if it helps.
I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will chime in shortly.
WK78

 

[potatochips]

Hmm...

 

That port you mention with the two screws on one side of the spray arm is just a spring loaded valve. It controls the release of the sediment chambers goo to the drain impeller. This may not be wise to open up as that screw holding the diaphragm is connected to a plastic rod which can be weak. There is, unfortunately, no way to get in to the goo that may be inside the sediment chamber. UNLESS you took it out, soaked it for a few hours in say bleach. Rinsed it etc... Power clean machines like this dont have a fine mesh filter like the later iterations. It is supposed to be self cleaning, which I bet works 99% of the time. You could get hard deposits in there over time. But I bet its probably very clean inside that chamber.

 

Id suggest removing the impeller, which shouldnt be any harm as the motor is suspended by screws holding it to the pump base plate, and then remove those four screws holding the sediment chamber to the pump base. Give her an overall cleaning.

 

That top piece that the spray arm screws on to, the pump cover, that spot molded for the drain spring sometimes can collect some goo on the inside of it. It doesnt get washed out.

 

 

 

[bajaespuma]

Thank you both!

This was exactly the kind of information I needed. It makes sense that there is no user serviceable filter down there because the screws to that cover are the kind that need the weirdo star-shaped bit for removal. I have, unfortunately, already removed that central screw in that side valve with the spring. I am hoping I'll be able to reseal/rescrew it; the screw never came completely out of that assembly and is spinning freely. So far, everything that I've removed has been relatively clean.

 

I'm beginning to think that the smell may end up being a dead mouse or something under the dishwasher. I appreciate the information.