whirlpool dishwasher chopper

[reybie]

HI!
Thanks to the video I found here I was able to find out that the chopper assembly of my dishwasher is screwed up. The blade is not even attached to the shaft anymore. I found the blade, cap, and metal washer inside on the bottom of the chopper chamber. I found one round metal shaped like a dime and I can't figure out where it came from. Is it even part of the dishwasher or is it just something that got in there somehow?

I attached a picture of it. Sorry about the pic, I used my cell phone

[AJ]

Hi,

Can't think of what part of the dishwasher that would have come from.
Maybe it's just something that got in with the dishes.

[reybie]

Thanks! 
I'm hoping my part comes in today so I can go ahead and install it and give my first dishwasher repair a try! 

[AJ]

That would be great!
Keep us updated. Glad the video helped you out.

[reybie]

I guess shipping takes a while from where I ordered it from, not due til Monday. Oh well, while I'm at it. I attached a picture of the heating element from the dishwasher and I'm a little worried that it too would need replacing. That or it just got covered by a couple of years worth of buildup.  Please advise, thanks.

[AJ]

Looks like build up from hard water.
I would try it with the new chopper and see how it works first.

[reybie]

Hello again!
Sorry for the very delayed update but I finally got that chopper assembly installed. I'm getting more water movement in the top area but the cleaning result is still not as good as it was a couple of years back. I've added the rinse aid but no go.

Anything else that might be the cause of poor wash? Heat doesn't seem to be it.

[apptech]

Do you have a water softener?
If so you need to get it check and if not you need to get one.
From the looks of that heating element in the bottom of the dishwasher it has been running a long time with hard water.

You really need softwater for the soap to work good.

[reybie]

No softener installed.

[rickgburton]

That round metal part you found inside the dishwasher looks like the knock out plug from a food disposer. Try this; Buy a box of glass magic from your local grocery store. Use it in place of your regular soap not with it untill gone then go back to your regular soap.

[reybie]

I will try that redbeard. Thank you.

[rickgburton]

Please post back and let us know how it worked.

[reybie]

Hi again.
redbeard, I just came back to reread your instruction on the glass magic. You're saying I should just use plain glass magic as substitute for soap until I use up all the contents of the box from regular use and then switch back to regular dish washing soap?

Thanks!

[rickgburton]

Yes, use it in place of your soap. It's a small box and will usualy take a week or so before its gone. Then go back to your regular soap. I think (hoping) you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[sparky823]

If that doesn't help get you a bottle of Dishwasher Magic at Wal Mart and run it through. It might take two bottles.

A lady from another forum had a Whirlpool that was doing similar to yours(she didnt need a part, just not cleaning well) and she used the dishwasher magic (2 bottles) and it fixed hers.

The Glass Magic may be the same thing also. I would try it and see cause I know the techs here know more than me .

Let us know if it worked.