Grinding, droning, buzzing, and whistling sounds are generally heard in the kitchen provided someone is grinding espresso beans, using an electric can opener, or warming up water in a tea kettle. But if those noises are originating from your dishwasher, you've got a lot more than an annoyance; any of those sounds could indicate an issue with the appliance. Why is the dishwasher making this type of nuisance of itself? Continue reading.
Why is my dishwasher making a grinding noise?
All the top manufacturers, for example Bosch, GE, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Kenmore, LG, and Samsung, like to promote how quiet their dishwashers are when studying the fill, wash, or drain cycles. Expectedly, the greater higher-end models have better insulation, so that they tend to run more quietly. Still, it's wise to understand what kind of sounds to expect when the dishwasher is running properly, so you will be more attuned to that abnormal sound that could indicate a part failure.
Following a brief drain cycle to remove water that may have been left within the dishwasher's sump, the selected wash cycle begins once the control sends 120 volts of alternating electric current to the water inlet valve solenoid which opens the valve and permits the proper amount of water in to the tub. This process will take between 90 seconds to two minutes and will usually allow around two gallons of water to fill the tub. As expected during this cycle, you should hear water pouring into the tub- and nothing else. If the sound water is accompanied by a loud buzzing, squealing, or whistling, water inlet valve could be deteriorating.
Once the fill cycle has completed, the control sends voltage to the circulation pump motor which uses an impeller to force water through the dishwasher's wash arms. In this cycle, you may hear the slight hum of the circulation pump motor as well as the sound of water splashing against the dishware. A grinding or droning noise heard during a wash or rinse cycle could indicate the bearings in the circulation pump motor have failed or are in the process of failing. A scraping sound could indicate the pump's impeller is becoming dislodged or has a broken fin.
After the conclusion of each wash cycle, the control sends voltage towards the drain pump that uses an impeller to force the water through a drain hose to some garbage disposer or standpipe. In this drain cycle, you will hear a sucking sound as the water is pushed with the drain hose accompanied by the low hum of the drain water pump. A grinding or droning sound will, again, indicate an issue with the bearings in the motor, while a scraping sound could indicate the impeller is broken or dislodged. Some models with no separate drain pump uses a drain valve solenoid to spread out and close a flap to drain water with the drain hose or retain the water in the sump. A defective drain valve solenoid could possibly get stuck in the open or closed position and can often emit a buzzing sound when failing.
Top 5 dishwasher parts accountable for noisy operation
So, there's not much mystery behind the reasons your dishwasher is making such a racket. Each noise is generally associated with a specific part that is malfunctioning in some way. Here are the most likely culprits, and they can all be replaced with a minimum of fuss by a patient DIYer:
- Defective drain pump – In addition to the drain pump motor bearings wearing out, the pump itself may become clogged with food debris. You can try cleaning any debris from the pump to see if that improves performance, but you may need to replace the component with a new one.
- Malfunctioning circulation pump – As with the drain pump, the circulation water pump bearings will simply wear out over time, resulting in a grinding or droning sound during wash or rinse cycles. Since the bearings cannot be replaced individually, you will need to install a new circulation pump to solve the problem.
- Worn water inlet valve – The diaphragm within the inlet valve can deteriorate and deform after years of use. When this happens, the water passing with the valve can produce a loud buzzing, squealing, or whistling sound. Since worn inlet valves can't be easily or successfully repaired, we recommend replacing the valve altogether.
- Damaged impeller – Both the circulation pump and drain pump use an impeller to propel the water with the wash arms and drain hose, respectively. When the impeller has become dislodged or has a broken fin, you might hear a scraping or squeaking sound throughout a wash or drain cycle. Depending on your dishwasher model, you might be able to replace a damaged impeller independently from the pump.
- Defective drain valve solenoid – A buzzing drain valve solenoid is a strong indicator that the part has failed. Drain valve solenoid kits are available that will allow you to replace the solenoid itself, in addition to components like the plunger, actuator lever, and spring.
Keeping your dishwasher quiet using the right parts with Repair Clinic
If you've determined you need to replace a dishwasher pump, impeller, drain solenoid, or water inlet valve, how can you find the right part for your particular dishwasher? Repair Clinic makes it easy. To get started, you'll need to identify the dishwasher's model no . which can be found on a label attached to the top or side from the dishwasher door. Enter the full model number of the appliance in the Repair Clinic website search bar to determine a full list of compatible appliance parts. You can then use the “Part Category” filter (“Pump”, “Valve & Float”) along with the “Part Title” filter (“Drain Pump”, “Circulation Pump”, “Water Inlet Valve”) to narrow that list down to identify the specific part that fits your model.
