How to Repair a Leaking General Electric Dishwasher

You rely on your General Electric (GE) dishwasher daily, likely taking it for granted--that is, until it leaks. When this happens, it’s not only an inconvenience, but it can also ruin your kitchen floor, leak to the level below causing damage and be a costly undertaking to repair. Many things can cause your dishwasher to leak. If you’re handy around the house, you can do some things to solve some of these problems. Before working on your GE dishwasher, always disconnect the power from your dishwasher and pump out water in the tub with a hand pump or siphon.

Things You'll Need

• Door gasket
• Petroleum jelly
• Adjustable wrench
• Socket wrench
• Small screwdriver (flathead)
• Hand pump
• Sump
• Pump connector

Instructions

1. Inspect the seal and gasket around the dishwasher door for any leakage. If it is damaged, you’ll need to replace it. Buy a new door gasket for your GE dishwasher. Pull out the old one, and slip in the new one. Put some petroleum jelly on the flanges to slip it in easier.

2. Unscrew the lower front panels and look for drips around hoses. Tighten the hose connections with an adjustable wrench to eliminate the leak.

3. Check to make sure the soap cup and rinse aid dispenser aren’t leaking. Disconnect the power from the dishwasher. Open the door, and separate the inside of the dishwasher door from the outside by removing the screen that holds the door parts together. If the insulation between the doors is wet, replace the soap cup and rinse aid dispenser.

4. Replace the pump connector if it leaks; remove the wash arm by unscrewing the hub at the bottom. With an adjustable wrench, unscrew the 5/16 screw at the front of the pump, and loosen the clamps that hold the pump to the sump. Remove the front screw, and let the pump drop down. Loosen the clamp that holds the connector onto the pump and remove it. Install a new connector, and reverse these steps.

5. Order a new sump if it is leaking. Remove the pump by unscrewing the 5/16 screw in the front of the pump with the wrench and by loosening the clamps that hold the sump in place. Remove the hoses, and pull the sump out. Replace the new sump, and reverse these steps.

6. Replace the seal around the drain solenoid if it leaks. Order a new seal and push nut. Remove the E-clip at the end of the shaft so you can remove the drain solenoid. Remove the push nut with a socket wrench and the seal with a small screwdriver or knife. Insert the new seal, and put the new push nut back on.

References

• The Family Handyman: How to Repair a Dishwasher
• Appliance Aid: A Common Leak Troublemaker
• Appliance Repair It: Dishwasher Leaking Repair Guide

Resources

• Appliance Repair It: GE Dishwasher Pump Leaking Repair Guide