Repairing a dishwasher heating element

Dishwasher heaters break down quite often. This is due to the poor quality of tap water in many regions of the country. In modern dishwashers, the heating element typically works reliably for about 2-3 years, after which it requires replacement or repair. Is it possible to repair a dishwasher heating element yourself? Or is it easier to buy and install a new heating element? Let's explore the nuances.

Is it expensive to buy a new part?

If your dishwasher's heating element breaks, there are three options. First, purchase and install a new element. Second, pay a technician to repair the faulty part. Third, repair the heating element yourself.

The most expensive, yet simplest, option is to buy a new flow-through heater or a complete circulation pump. A spare part for budget machines, such as an Indesit, costs around thirty dollars. This price is generally reasonable, so you can skip the repair and simply replace the heating element.

If the heating element breaks on more expensive machines, such as Bosch, the circulation pump and heater will cost more—on average, $60–$70. In this case, it's best to try to repair the element first.

The second option is suitable for those who want to save money but don't want to figure out how to fix the problem themselves. On classifieds sites like Avito, you can find contacts of dishwasher repair technicians. They charge around $20–$30 for the job, which is cheaper than buying a new tankless water heater.

The third option is to repair the dishwasher's heating element yourself. I'd like to warn you that this isn't an easy task. However, if you take the time and figure it out, it's quite possible to repair the tankless heater yourself.

If funds allow, it is better to purchase and install a new flow-through heater in the dishwasher.

No one can guarantee how long a dishwasher will last after a heating element repair. It could be anywhere from a few days to several years. Therefore, it's important to assess all the risks immediately.

How to repair a dishwasher heating element

What is the difficulty of repairing a dishwasher heating element? On many models, a film flow heater is built into the circulation pump. To access the component, you'll have to disassemble the pump. This situation is common, for example, on Bosch machines.

Typically, dishwasher heaters fail due to:

• accumulation of scale on the surface, which leads to burnout of the element;
• current leakage, in other words, breakdown;
• breakage of the heating thread, etc.

It's easy to tell if the heater is broken. Dishwashers equipped with a display will show the corresponding error code. Furthermore, dishes won't rinse properly because the water will remain cold.

To repair a film heater, you need to:

• de-energize the dishwasher;
• dismantle the circulation pump;
• remove the heating element from the pump;
• inspect the film heater for damage and find the defect;
• remove the protective layer from the affected area with a file;
• dissolve a small amount of copper sulfate in warm water;
• cover the affected area on the heating element track with a drip of copper sulfate solution;
• tin the resulting copper jumper;
• cover the soldering area with epoxy resin (recommended).

A metal wire, which must first be tinned, can be soldered to the place “eaten away” by corrosion.

This will restore the film heater's functionality. After repair, check the heating element with a multimeter—it should show normal resistance. Next, reassemble the circulation pump. Then, connect the machine to the power supply and run it in test mode.

Any problem is easier to prevent. Therefore, to extend the life of your tankless water heater, remember to periodically clean your dishwasher with special anti-scale products. You can run it through at least once a month with regular citric acid.

   

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