Should we pay for a dishwasher repair or just buy a new one?

FeistyFidget

We have a 4 year old smeg slimline that decided to breakdown this morning. There was a burning smell coming from the machine and we noticed (after about an hour) that it had not gone past the initial boot up stage of the cycle. The machine pump seems to be running continuously, but there is no water being let into the machine.
Every time we turn it off (at the mains) and turn it back on, it immediately continues from the stage it turned off at. There is no way to end the cycle or stop the pump without turning it off.

We've had a look online and the average price for a repairman is £45 an hour in our area. If the motor has gone, then a replacement part is in excess of £200 (plus whatever the repairman adds on for sourcing it).

We have seen new dishwashers online for just under £200. So do we bother calling out a repairman for a diagnosis, or just bite the bullet and buy new?

wallbash

I think you know the answer.

Get a man in , pay him for a couple of hours, plus pump . success you have a four year old dishwasher with a brand new pump.
Next month the circuit board could easily give up ....... or the door seals fail, they are four years old!!

Or you could have a new machine

Southend1

I'd get a new one. My beko dishwasher was under £200 and is excellent.

WestonDave

I'll offer a third choice. Take the side off it and have a look yourself. Our Bosch had very similar symptoms - would start but then go no-where. Took the side off, cleaned out everything, got loads of crud out of various pipes and critically freed off the valve in the fill matrix that was no longer allowing air through so it was all air locked. Put it back together and its fine now. If you haven't been particularly good at cleaning it out and clearing the filters, the chances are there is a build up of food waste in various pipes. This will lead to it having water trapped in it which will lead to that continual pumping out. The way they work is to check they can clear everything out before they allow water in - if it can't get rid of the water in it, then it won't progress. The other issue is that if you have a slight leak, then it will build up in the base and again they sometimes have a float switch that cuts off incoming water.


Most makes have various videos online as to how to get to the works, and with a bit of ingenuity and a few basic tools (screwdriver, pliers, possibly star bits for a screwdriver, and a turkey baster is really useful for sucking out water and jetting water through to clear it)

stef73

Im with westondave have a look yourself if you cant fix it buy a new one if you can saved money, i would not waste time or money getting someone out your a 1/4 way to a new one with his call out and 1st hour.

FeistyFidget

Thanks everyone.

We did have a good look earlier today (4 blinking hours worth) but I'm going to have another bash at it and then if no joy admit defeat