Leaking down float standpipe during wash cycle

Hello,

This dishwasher leaks down the standpipe during the wash cycle. I cleaned the dishwasher by hand and ran wash cycles with draino, CLR, and Lemi Shine separately. I checked the float switch and it ohms at 23 in one direction and infinity in the other. Also, when I lift up on the float stem to trip the float switch the water flow stops immediately. The water level in the dishwasher when full is just below the heater element. I checked the vent at the sink and it appears okay. The dishwasher drains completely.

I thought that maybe a gasket or o-ring was missing from the float stem where it goes into the standpipe but when I order the replacement float from AppliancePartsPros there is nothing on the float stem.

I would greatly appreciate any help at this point as I am stumped. Please note that the water is not leaking from the door gasket and the water is not sudsy. It just leaks a lot of water down the standpipe hole where the float stem stick down to the float switch and this takes place during the wash cycle.

Thanks so much!

I would not do anything else with this dishwasher. Very soon, if not yet, it will damage all rubber parts and seals inside, so it will start to leak as a colander.

Gene.

Hello Gene,

Thank you for your response. I have not seen any problems from running draino down the drain of the dishwasher. However, I did read on another post that had a similar problem and they were directed to remove or tie down the lower spray arm. I tried that and it still leaked quite a bit down the standpipe. Do you think I can make my own gasket or even try silicone calc if the float stem still slides freely?

It should slide freely, otherwise it would not do what it should - protect from overflowing.

Try to remove the washer which should be under the lower spray arm. Make sure the spray arm goes all the way down.

Gene.

Hello Gene,

I tried your suggestion of removing the flat washer located underneath the bottom spinner and to my surprise it did reduce the amount of leaking. It is still leaking a lot down the standpipe but not as much. Do you have any other suggestions that I might try? This dish washer is level.

I would recommend to replace the spray arm, but it is no longer available. Try to lower the spray arm somehow. Otherwise it might be time for a new dishwasher.

Gene.