Frigidaire top spray arms not working, gritty residue on dishes

[Rick52768]

I was thinking about swapping valves and likely will just see if there is any difference but I was just trying to see if I could work on it from a mor scientific approach then trying the part swapping monkey approach. I think before I swap it I will get a baseline on how quick I fill a gallon jug and compare the "new" valve from the donor.

[Rick52768]

Okay, ran the dishwasher with normal setting and it was not bad as I could find only one gritty glass, bowl and fork.  So it sucked!  There is also a fair amount of "dirt" in both sides of the sump.  I checked the water flow coming into the body of the dishwasher and I feel that it is low.  But with nothing to compare it to, I really have no idea what it should look like.  I guess I could take a picture of it filling if anyone thinks that would help?  Would I not see about the same pressure out of the valve as I see in the supply line to the valve? The donor valve has .2-1 bar, 0.021-1 MPa on it's side and my valve has invensys s-101 on it, if this is helpful to anyone willing to answer these questions.  Thanks again for help you can be.

[Rick52768]

Valve flow test: 128oz (gallon) of water in 1:15 minutes.  Total fill time 1:30 with a total of 149 oz.  Sound normal?  Flow from supply side looks like a pressure washer compared to the fill side using either valve I have on hand.  So I would think the house water pressure is not an issue, other than if it drops the fill side would be that much less.

[niobrara]

Rick are you sure your motor pump is just not weak and not moving enough water?

[Rick52768]

No, as I have no idea what a normal acting pump would look like. Looks like good volume of water to me. If I remove the spray arm the water shoots fairly high. Have a good way to test it?

[niobrara]

I set all the arms facing towards the door after it is full and start it. I let it run about 1 minute and slowly open the door and see where the arms are.If there turning, I just fix them I do not design them and sometimes what we bought is what we have. I really dont have any idea what is wrong with that unit it seems to be working as designed. You fill, your have pressure you drain and you have heat.

[Rick52768]

I get where you are coming from.  I am just trying to get any insight into why this dishwasher makes the dish clean, but leaves dirt or grit on them at the same time.  I was hoping that someone who has worked on this crappy model would point me in the right direction, but any brand or model should work fairly close.  The spray arm does turn at a okay pace and shoots water to the top of the tub.  In fact, that is how the grit gets in the bottom of the glasses which are upside down on the top rack.  So the dirty water never seems to be removed from the dishwasher, collects in the sump(s) and sprays on the dishes at even the last cycle.  I would agree with the folks that think it is the volume of water.  Just surprised that no one seem to have a reference on what a normal flow and volume of water should be.  How much water should the tub normally have?  I am sure this may vary make and model wise, but at least an average.

[niobrara]

 Just surprised that no one seem to have a reference on what a normal flow and volume of water should be.  How much water should the tub normally have?  I am sure this may vary make and model wise, but at least an average. OK you need 120 degree water coming in,min water pressure 20  max 120  6.7 gallons per wash cycle .83 flow rate. And it will not work if the water is to hard.

[Rick52768]

What does the .83 flow rate mean and is this 6.7 gallons total wash cycle as in 96 minutes?  The rest I have cover that you stated as I have had a water softener for over a year now. Thanks for the details.