3 replies to this topic

[GaryD]

Hi! Great Site!

I have a Kenmore Ultra Wash Dishwasher (model# 665.15828691) that emits a "grinding" noise when the motor runs (sounds like the noise of stripped gears). I've removed the spray arm assembly, which exposes the top of the impeller. When I turn the impeller by hand, it rotates freely but I can hear a clicking sound and feel it hit something as it makes a full rotation.

My next course of action was to remove the screw which holds the impeller so I could get into the pump assembly to see what's loose in there, but I can't get the hex-head screw to loosen.

I've tried a 1" open end wrench on the impeller's hex head with a socket wrench on the screw, trying to loosen the screw both counter-clockwise and clockwise (in case it is reverse-threaded). I also slipped a 1" socket with a 1/2" drive over the impeller hex head, running the 1/4" drive socket and extension for the screw thru it, using a large screwdriver to keep the 1" socket from turning. No luck... I stopped, being leery of breaking the head off the screw.

Am I missing something here? Is this a common problem? Any tips?

I considered cutting the impeller off, leaving the plastic hex head part attached (so I'd have a shot at removing the screw once I got the filter assembly off and could get a better grip on the hex, but I'm not sure that it's the way to go, since I can't tell what size the opening in the filter assembly is, underneath the impeller and I don't know if I'd accomplish anything other than destroying the impeller.

Any advice you could share will be appreciated. In the meantime, I'll have a brewski and hope for some words of wisdom!

Thanks, Gary

ps: I've reviewed the parts diagram you've provided elsewhere in the Forums and thank you for the info.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

This is just a tough nut. The screw comes out normally (CCW) and it will take strong, steady hands to make those first couple of turns. After that, it's much easier.

And, as you suspected, once you lift that black impeller, you'll no doubt find a peice of foreign detritis underneath there.

Persevere and you shall overcome!

[GaryD]

Thanks for the response, Samurai!

After reading your post, I was compelled to trust in the word of the great Samurai and immediately reached for the largest set of vice grips I own, which helped wrench that baby out of there! Lo and behold, I found three 1/4" diameter stones, 4 plastic straws, a dime, and a clear flat piece of plastic that is over an inch wide and almost two inches long! (I have no idea how the flat plastic got in there; the rest was undoubtedly the work of either my five year old or my fifteen year old...).

The dishwasher runs fine again (and doesn't leak). ...now if only I had a robot to put the soap in and push the start button...

Thanks again!

Gary

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

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