WP8268383 dishwasher chopper, etc.

[jbarch]

I've replaced the chopper assembly on my IKEA/Whirlpool dishwasher, but still having to disassemble and clean it out every month or so. Check valve appears to be in good condition.

What else could be the issue? Chopper still looks good, spring is intact to hold it in place. If the motor assembly is the problem, how would I diagnose that?

TIA & cheers,

JB

[jbarch]

Also wondering if the 4-blade chopper # w10083957V  would fit and do a better job.... anyone have thoughts on this?

4-blade "chopper"

[johntech]

If you are having to clean out the chopper every month then you are not using the dishwasher correctly. The chopper is designed to chop up food particles that may accidentally get into the dishwasher. Food is not supposed to go into the dishwasher that is why it is called a dishwasher not a food waste disposal. Make sure there is no solid waste on dishes before you put them into the dishwasher and your problem will go away. Not only will it clog up you chopper but food will make your pumps fail prematurely, clog up drain lines, get caught in your spray arms and inside the sump where it will start to rot, decay and mold. You will have many repairs and a bad experience with the dishwasher.

[jbarch]

Thanks for the tip John. Yeah, we try to keep the food out but obviously not doing a great job of it. Funny how it can operate fine for years and then start being a problem every month or two.

I cleaned out the rigid "hoses" and the ceiling spinner, that seems to have made an enormous difference so far.

[Gnominator77]

Also make sure the wash motor is actually turning the chopper. I have seen many worn wash motor impellers that stop turning the chopper causing food to block the chopper screen.Part number: WPW10757217

[jbarch]

Thanks for the suggestion Gnominator77... any idea how I can test to see if it is really turning the chopper?

 

thanks,

JB

[jbarch]

I should mention that we still get lots of water circulating, just seems like the chopper might not be turning. Not getting the loud awful sounds people complain about when the motor fails.

[johntech]

You can turn the chopper blade by hand and feel if it is turning  the motor shaft. Then you will know if the motor is turning by water circulating. If I find a clogged chopper I remove it from the machine and clean it with a wire brush. Sometimes they fall apart in my hand.  There is a spring between the blade and the grater make sure that is intact which by your original post you already have,   It is possible to get the chopper installed where it is not locked onto the shaft properly. Choppers are designed just in case a piece of food gets into the unit. If it is getting clogged consistently then you are getting too much food in unit.

[BrewHobbyTech]

On 9/20/2016 at 8:17 AM, johntech said:

 It is possible to get the chopper installed where it is not locked onto the shaft properly. Choppers are designed just in case a piece of food gets into the unit. If it is getting clogged consistently then you are getting too much food in unit.

yep.......most probable scenario is grease and/or food build-up over time.......and/or.....somebody isn't rinsing the dishes off(with warm/hot water) before they are loaded into the dishwasher. 

Summer is the season for BLT's........and that means bacon.......and that means major grease......and that means......major possibility of clogging a dishwasher chopper and/or drain hose........

I don't really care what people do......

...common sense is common sense......and it's not that common anymore.......

......if something is broken or not working correctly....hey.....I get a call to fix it.......

I do recommend things to lessen the possibility of any kind of breakdown happening again but......

 

....some people are just gonna do what they're gonna do......

 

...and they're happy to pay a hundred bucks or so every year for the same thing......

 

......it works for me.......