RCCNewsletterDec06

In This Issue

Message from the RepairGuru
Interview with: Dishwasher RepairGuru Ryan Huntley
Three Tips to Try This Month
Featured Items
Millionth Customer RepairClinic.com Give-Away Winners

Featured Items

Replace Your Broken Dish Rack Tines

Prevent Mineral Build-up with this Dishwasher Performance Booster

Protect Your Floors from Dishwasher Leaks

Message from the RepairGuru®

Welcome to the December 2006 edition of the RepairClinic.com newsletter. The holiday season is in full swing and whether you are celebrating Bodhi Day, Christmas, Eid-ul Adha, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, all of these celebrations are about food and families. Yet it's a harsh reality that after everyone has enjoyed the festivities and holiday feasts, someone is always left with the dishes. So, this month, Ryan Huntley, a RepairGuru at RepairClinic.com has some helpful hints on how to keep those dishwashers running smoothly.

Ryan Huntley Comes Clean on Dishwasher Maintenance

Ryan Huntley

If you've ever picked up a part at the RepairClinic.com retail store in Canton, Michigan (please drop by!) you might have been greeted by Ryan. Ryan divides his time between answering customer email questions and helping to run the retail counter. Meeting and helping our customers troubleshoot their appliances is one of the most enjoyable parts of being a RepairGuru, says Ryan.
Ryan spent time thinking about the types of questions our customers most frequently have about their dishwashers; and he offers these solutions as some of the most common and helpful.

What are the most important things to check if the dishes aren't getting clean?
The first thing you need to check when troubleshooting a dishwasher is to make sure the machine is getting enough water and that it is heated properly. Without enough water the wash arms won't rotate, the cycle will take longer, there could be spots or grit left on the dishes, and, on some older models, the soap dispenser won't open. The fill cycle for most dishwashers is timed, so if there is sediment build-up in the water inlet valve, you will not get enough water in the machine. You can easily check for a low fill problem by adding a large bowl of water during the fill cycle. If the dishwasher works properly after adding the water, you have confirmed the source of the problem. Also, make sure your unit isn't draining while washing (something may be caught in the drain or drain valve), then check to be sure there is adequate water flow to the water inlet valve underneath the dishwasher. If the valve is not letting enough water into the dishwasher, the water inlet valve will most likely need to be replaced.

What dishwasher problem is often incorrectly diagnosed?
Water temperature can be a tricky problem. When the wash cycle takes longer than expected, customers often think the timer is bad. However, the most common cause is actually due to cold water filling the dishwasher. Many dishwashers heat the wash and/or rinse water to a higher temperature than the household water supply provides in these cycles. The dishwasher pauses after it has filled with water while the heating element heats the water to a pre-set temperature. Our advice: it helps to run hot water in the kitchen sink prior to starting the dishwasher to make sure your fill water is warm enough. Additionally, if the water isn't being heated properly, the cycle can be delayed or stopped. This can be caused by a defective heating element or thermostat.

Three Tips to Try This Month

Clean Filters Make for a More Efficient Dishwasher
Filters protect the pump and motor seals - Many dishwashers have a filter located under the spray arm, near the bottom of the appliance. The filter can get clogged with sediment from hard water, food residue, or even detergent build-up. It is important to check the condition of the filter to make sure it is in-tact, has no holes in the screen and is free of debris. If the filter has been damaged you can purchase an inexpensive replacement.

The Dish Rack is Rusting where the Tines Broke
The plastic coating can wear off - Eventually the plastic coating on the tines of the dish racks can wear off, leading to corrosion and rusting of the exposed metal. Dishwasher owners also might find a broken tine from trying to jam a dish that doesn't quite fit into the slots. It is important to sand down any rusty parts and fix the surface with a dish rack repair kit. If left unchecked, the rust particles can ruin the pump seals, requiring an expensive repair. Both of these problems can be solved by either replacing the entire dish rack or by visiting our Dishwasher Accessories Section for a dish rack repair kit.

The Dishes Aren't Getting Clean Enough
Debris in the spray arm can cause cleaning problems - There might be several different types of spray arms in your dishwasher. It might have tall spray tube mounted in the center bottom of the dishwasher, or there might be one located directly beneath or above the upper dish rack. These spray arms distribute water from tiny holes which, if blocked by food or debris, can cause poor water circulation and inadequate cleaning of the dishes. Inspect the spray arm holes and clean out any debris to ensure proper cleaning.

Announcing the Winners of the RepairClinic.com Millionth Customer Celebration Give-Away

Winners of the (3) $1,000 Gift Certificates:

	Larry H. - of Hemet, California is a repeat customer of RepairClinic.com having purchased parts for his dryer and dishwasher. Larry said one really great feature on the site is being able to enter his appliance number and then look at the schematic at a very detailed level.
"It really helped me understand the problem." He plans on using the $1,000 Frigidaire gift certificate to purchase a new refrigerator.
	Nick H. - Huber Heights, OH became a customer of RepairClinic.com in 2003 when he purchased a range/oven door switch and light bulbs. Nick and his wife Rene have yet to decide what Frigidaire appliance to buy with their $1,000
gift certificate they won as one of the RepairClinic.com's Millionth Customer Celebration winners but they're thinking of buying a new smooth-top electric range.
	Karl G. - Moyock, NC , Karl is a DIY'er who first discovered RepairClinic.com in 2002 when he needed to fix the defrosting unit on his 6 year old refrigerator. Karl has purchased several additional parts for his refrigerator based on his initial positive experience with RepairClinic.com.
Karl said, "Since winning the Repairclinic.com Millionth customer prize, my wife and I are debating on whether we should get a new dryer or a beverage refrigerator. Maybe we'll get both."

Thank You!
The entire RepairClinic.com staff congratulates these three customers who have placed their trust in us for their appliance parts and repair help needs. We also thank each and every one of you for your continued support. We look forward to announcing our 2 millionth customer sometime in the not-so-distant future.

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