Sears Kenmore Dishwasher Water Level Float Seal Leaking? Can it be fixed?

Hello

Sears kenmore 18" compact dishwasher 587.14432200 or 587.14439200

Oh-Oh, Saw the ceiling leaking water in the garage!
Nothing under the sink but the inocent dishwasher is next to it on the right.
So I pulled it out and turned it on for a test. After it filled with water the I could see that right around the stem of the water level float there was a stream of leaking water!

The stem rests on a lever to sense different water levels.

Can this be fixed? ? ?
Is this a solution? > http://www.thediygirl.com/leaking-dishwasher/

The float itself seems ok. I pulled it out like the manual said and checked it. It seams like the seal around it is failing?

See pics
Pic 1 - Inside of Dishwasher. Black arrow shows water level dectector float.
Pic 2 - Close up of water level float
Pic 3 - Manual information on float
Pic 4 - bottom of float stem sitting on round lever tab
Pic 5 - Place of water leak where stem goes through the bottom of the frame. See black arrow
Pic 6 - Top view of dishwasher with float removed. See black arrow.
Pic 7 - bottom side of float. Stem looks good or is it worn?

This sears parts diagram only lists the float as a replacible part!
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/R0207505-00003.png

Click pics to enlarge:

 

Here is the leak in action with the Dishwasher on!

The Dishwasher must be level and the hole must be clean and if there is a worn washer like a Maytag it should be replaced or the switch may be bad. In my case, the hole is clean and there is no washer.

Pic 8 - Removing the 4 screws and the bottom panel we see the Leak in Action with the dishwasher On and washing after the fillup!

 

Never see these leak like that, usually it's the heater nuts that split in two and leak. Not sure what you can do with that

 

I tested the micro switch with a continuity tester and the contacts do open and close. Maybe it needs adjustment, when I tested the washer it does not leak right away, it looks like the water level maybe getting too high. I see this is a common problem on the net but only one solution on a Maytag was to change the float washer. I do not see a float washer on this Kenmore.
So I am looking for a Sears Kenmore solution?

 

That dishwasher is a Frigidaire built. The first 3 digits (587) indicate the manufacturer of the appliance. 363 is GE, 665 is Whirlpool.

 

Hello

Here is the Latest info!
I slowly moved the float up and down by pushing the plastic lever that it was resting on up and down. I could here the switch close when the lever was pushed up, but if I slowly let the lever fall back down the switch will hang and the contacts will not open! So I took a small yankee screw driver and popped the lever out and removed the phillips screw above the lever to remove the plastic assembly that contains the micro switch. Then I removed the switch wires and cleaned the contacts and cleaned the switch lever. After reassembly the switch did not hang when testing by hand. I ran it thru the cycle now to see what happens. It started leaking a little at first when filling with water, then during the wash part of the cycle it leaked alot. While it was leaking alot I pushed up on the lever and heard the contacts of the switch click! Therefore it seams to be over filling because the switch is not stopping it at the right time. I suspect the micro switch is defective. See pics 9-10

See switch diagram and part pics 11 & 12

Does anyone know for sure if a new switch will fix this issue?


Pic 9 - Switch lever and switch removed.
Pic 10 - still leaking a little initially during the water fill and leak is streaming during the wash cycle.
Pic 11 - Manual Diagram of switch part # 5
Pic 12 - Manual Parts list shows Switch part # 154408701 A B Switch Assy,float

 

Hello

The part is on order.
The plastic piece comes with it and it takes 7 days to get it. So no dishwasher for a week. :-(

 

I got good advice from these two forums when I was having a repair issue with my washing machine. Saved me $$$. I was going to replace it.
http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php
http://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/

 

Thanks SM
I did not want to just buy a new dishwasher, if all I need is one small part.

 

Like here, there are appliance techs on that site who are very willing to listen and advise.

 

Hello

The saga continues,

I got the switch and installed it. During the fill cycle now, there is no soapy water leaking so that part is fixed,
However during the wash cycle, it started leaking like a sive!

So I moved it to the end of the wash cycle and let it drain out with a pan to catch most of the leaking water.
Then I opened it up and checked the wash arm.Then I saw something stuck in the end spray hole.

So I took it off and dumped out what I saw. Two hard pieces and a piece of glass.

After cleaning the pieces out, I tried it again.
During the wash cycle it was still leaking, I opened the door to look but I thought I saw nothing when in fact I really did.

After rinally viewing this, see last pic below. I did notice the water was still filling!
It says if you see it filling, then the water valve is stuck open!
http://www.repairclinic.com/Video/RHVideoLayer?videoIdCSV=622

So now the water valve is on order!

Pic 1 - Spray Arm
Pic 2-4 - Someting in the end spray hole
Pic 5-7 - Pieces phone
Pic 8 - Filling water that should not be seen!

 

Hello

Another part on order!

Pic 9 - Water valve now on order!

 

Wow, is that next day air shipping?

 

2 day I believe. Otherwise my family is without a dishwasher for another week!

 

Don I guess you are on the right track now.
Troubleshooting 101 - when you think you are on the right path, stop and rethink the system.
I'm guessing that's a normally closed float switch that opens on high level and is probably wired in series with the fill valve.
Removing one lead would have told you if it was the valve(I know I'm being mister obvious here) or the float.

 

I know what you are saying but it was leaking soapy water during the fill cycle and after installing the new switch there is NO leaking during the fill. So the whole fix is a slow process!

 

On the topic if dishwashers, is it usual for the heater coil to rust?

Mine is a Frigidaire, about 5 years old. Run maybe a load a week through it and don't use the heater. (let the dishes air dry)

The parts direct site is stupid expensive on shipping. I needed a pulley for a snowblower. Nylon unit, maybe 8oz, about $20. They wanted about $50 to ship it . Could have fit 1/2 a dozen of them in a $6 flatrate box. I ended up sending it to my folks in Maine and going to visit them.

 

Bet that was cheaper - nice to visit the folks though

 

Actually it was. The flight cost me $10...air miles!

 

Hello

Well the 1st part, the float switch fixed the small leak when the water was filling!

The 2nd part, the water fill valve that was sticking, fixed the major leak during the wash cycle because the valve stuck open and put too much water in the dish washer!

Dishwasher ran through every cycle without leaking a drop!

Pic 1 - New part came priority mail because we did not want to wait another 5 days!
Pic 2 - This part is white not yellow like the old one and the water connection goes strait back not on a 45 degree angle. Looks like a 3rd party part! ! !
Pic 3 - Old part has brass elbow attached, Is this to make it harder for a DIY person so you have to call in a plumber? Not in my case!
Pic 4 - Using a vise grips and my bench vise I easily got the brass elbow off! Now have to clean the old adheasive off with the drill driver!
Pic 5 - Using my favorite FTP paste that I use on boiler connections works great here!
Pic 6 - Back in the vise to tighten the brass elbow onto the water fill valve!
Pic 7 - cranking the ss braided inlet water connection on.
Pic 8 - slipping the black rubber hose water outlet to the dishwasher back on