Dishwasher not Performing

Gavandeshaq

Hi,

I purchased a Bosch dishwasher last October which performed fantastically at first, but hasn't been cleaning properly the last few weeks. It leaves deposits of food and grit all over everything regardless of what cycle it's on. I've tried different detergents, the salt and rinse aid are topped up, and I've tried different settings for the hardness and rinse aid levels.

I've done everything possible to fix it. It's sparkling clean including the filter, the spray arms, and the drain hose is clear. I've run hot cycles with vinegar, soda crystals, and Finish dishwasher cleaners. I've had an engineer out twice via Bosch who couldn't find a fault, blockage, or anything.

As it's less than a year old, I contacted AO who said they won't do anything if Bosch can't confirm a specific fault. Bosch have then basically said that it's my fault; not loading/cleaning it properly or using the right detergent. But as I've said, it used to work great and now suddenly doesn't, even though I've not changed a thing.

What are my rights here? I bought it on a credit card. My research suggests that I need to prove it's a manufacturer fault, but how on Earth could I do that? I certainly can't think of a way that would be iron-clad.

SaverRate

Have you used the clean function on the dishwasher using a detergent cleaner? See if that helps?

Also ensure the filter is in place correctly - we went to a holiday home a few months ago and the dishwasher (a Hoover one) wasn't washing correctly. Turned out the filter hadn't been put back in correctly. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

For consumer rights and retailer refusal to engage you'd need to get a local appliance repair person out to have a look and give you something in writing to preferably state the specific fault and cause to show the issue hasn't been caused by misuse or user error.

You'd then present that to AO with a request they fulfil their obligation under the Consumer Rights Act to repair or replace plus request they refund the cost of the inspection. 

If they say it's too expensive, impossible or simply won't then you have the final right to reject for a refund (or a price reduction but that option doesn't particularly help you). 

As it's been longer than 6 months the refund can be reduced to account for usage but the average lifespan of a dishwasher is 10 years (according to a 2 second look on Google) so any reduction should be minimal (plus they should also pay for the inspection). If you get to this point and AO offer a figure but it feels too low it's always worth haggling  

nyermen

I have a Bosch too (one of those "jet dry models" that I learnt afterwards how they dont dry the dishes so well )

But that said, it cleans fine, never had any issues there.  I do remove the filter to clean it, and keep the salt & rinse aid topped up ofc.
As long as the filter has always been in place properly and is clean (I presume when removing it, you looked into the hole to check for anything - if its similar to my model), I doubt the outlet has become blocked if so, which suggests that it might be a pump or similar that removes the dirty water midway through?  As said, an independent report of what is wrong is the way to go, just hope they can find the issue where the bosch engineer couldnt.

Be curious to know the issue assuming it is found. I presume your washing machine is fine if its next to it (ie the same dirty water drain pipes...)

macman

If the 'grit' isn't food debris, then what is it? Undissolved salt?

Jumblebumble

Gavandeshaq said:

Hi,

I purchased a Bosch dishwasher last October which performed fantastically at first, but hasn't been cleaning properly the last few weeks. It leaves deposits of food and grit all over everything regardless of what cycle it's on. I've tried different detergents, the salt and rinse aid are topped up, and I've tried different settings for the hardness and rinse aid levels.

I've done everything possible to fix it. It's sparkling clean including the filter, the spray arms, and the drain hose is clear. I've run hot cycles with vinegar, soda crystals, and Finish dishwasher cleaners. I've had an engineer out twice via Bosch who couldn't find a fault, blockage, or anything.

As it's less than a year old, I contacted AO who said they won't do anything if Bosch can't confirm a specific fault. Bosch have then basically said that it's my fault; not loading/cleaning it properly or using the right detergent. But as I've said, it used to work great and now suddenly doesn't, even though I've not changed a thing.

What are my rights here? I bought it on a credit card. My research suggests that I need to prove it's a manufacturer fault, but how on Earth could I do that? I certainly can't think of a way that would be iron-clad.

I assume you and the engineer have looked at the spinny blades to make sure there is no blockage
Our Miele needs these cleaning fairly regularly.

pinkshoes

I have a Bosch dishwasher too and it also now leaves "grit", but nearly always on the stuff that is on the top layer at the back left! I tend to just put bowls there as it is then easier to clean the "grit" out.

Ours is 3 years old but I just assumed it does this as it is one of the cheaper models. 

DullGreyGuy

Our old Bosch started doing this too, mainly on glasses, I assumed it was very fine food particles as it was always a very dark colour and so presumably not salt. The machine was of unknown age as it came with the flat but the door's counterweight had broke and the door sensor was on the way out so decided it was time to change it.

You ultimately need an engineers report that says its faulty, obv at the moment you have an engineers report saying it's your fault and so no retailer would be doing anything else at this point and getting a second report saying the opposite may not be a straight forward process now that there is conflicting views.