Whirlpool Dishwasher 2213229N (Kenmore 13229) leaking out front panel on both sides

[bighairproductions]

Installed 1/19/21.  2 person HH with minimal use.  Excellent condition otherwise.  Suddenly started heavily leaking out R & L corners of front panel. Tried DIY replacement of Dishwasher Vent Assembly WPW10469575.  No improvement. 

Called repairman.  Originally suspecting the baffle and spray arm, repairman got back to me after doing some research and indicated it is a probem with the ciruculation pump and diverter. Indicated it is a "known issue.  An inherent flaw if you will" where the water is being diverted directly at the door as opposed to upwards. Said it's cheaper to buy a new dishwasher, but didn't give me a repair price.  Then, when pressed, quoted $500-$600 to repair.  Feel like it is easier and more cost effective for him to replace it than fix it. 

[Budget Appliance Repair]

First you need to supply the correct complete model number from the tag on the edge of the tub where the door closes into.

From you supplied info the full model number will be: 665.13229N41? (? = 0,1,2,3 or 4) - The last number is most likely not going to change the outcome of your problem.

I've never heard of the main circulation/wash pump or the diverter causing a leak form the front at both sides from under the  door lip.

From the info the repairman gave you, I don't think you want him to be working on this for you.

A somewhat common problem that can cause a leak as you describe is a split/cracked lower spray arm.

Remove the lower spray arm and give it a try without any dishes in the unit and see if it still leaks or not.

Look at the seams of the lower spray arm while giving it a twist to see if any of the seams down the center of the top/bottom half the arm open up.

[bighairproductions]

Thanks Willie!  I will try to remove the lower spray arm.  He did inspect the lower spray arm pretty thoroughly and made sure the holes weren't clogged, but I don't recall that he removed it.  Said his suspicion is a "known issue". If so, I would expect that there would be multiple posts about this, but in searching, I didn't see anything suggesting the circulation pump and diverter could cause this type of leakage.

[bighairproductions]

Hi Willie, I ran the dishwasher w/o the lower spray arm and water DID NOT splash out the bottom sides. Water was a lot calmer and remained in the bottom tray. I inspected the spray arm and gently twisted it but didn't see anything open up.  There aren't any seams on top. The bottom of the spray arm has some calcification in places so I have it soaking in some vinegar and water. (We have hard water here.)

Before I changed out the Dishwasher Vent Assembly, I was running the DW & touched the red piece and it was extremely hot (can't leave your finger on it for more than a sec).  (Since that didn't work to cure the splashing & leaking, I replaced the existing DW Vent Assembly.)  When I replaced the DW Vent Assembly with a new one, it also was extremely hot. Is it normal for this part to get so hot?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Yes, the red thing that you touched and is hot is the vent actuator - it's called a wax motor, (heat from the PTC pill heats the wax in a chamber which expands and pushes the plunger in the wax motor out which closes the vent).

On the spray arm, you are looking for cracks where the upper and lower half of the spray arm are welded together.  Sometimes twisting the spray arm will open the cracks if there are any where the seam welding of the two plastic halves of the spray arm are welded together.

[bighairproductions]

Hi Willie! I had access to the same lower spray arm on another Kenmore (model 665.13542N414) this weekend.  Switched it out with my non-working one and the leaking DID NOT occur.  SUCCESS!! (Just wanted to test before ordering a new spray arm.)  I checked my lower spray arm again and could barely see what looked like a separation between the plastic and metal parts of my lower spray arm as compared to the one I borrowed.  Did read reviews on HD site and different parts supply sites--this is a "known" issue and it should be expected that it would need to be replaced sometime during the dishwasher's lifetime.  Noted!  Such as easy & cheap fix!! TY! TY! TY! annie

[bighairproductions]

Uh oh!  looks like I hit the wrong button about the solving of the problem.  How can I make sure you get credit for this.  (I may have to contact Scott with another beer fund contribution.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

No problem - the credit don't make much difference, but does help for other that come across your post later and see what the solution is.

[bighairproductions]

Thanks for all your help and education on this, Willie!! annie