Excess dishwasher noise may mean you need to replace the motor, heater fan, or pump
Many people like to run their dishwashers at night and wake up to a machine full of clean dishes in the morning. A certain amount of noise is normal from any dishwasher, but if your dishwasher is overly noisy to the point where it may even disturb the household at night, this could be a sign of a bigger problem. Learning which dishwasher sounds are normal and which ones indicate a problem with the motor, heater fan, or pump can be very useful in helping you decide when to call in a dishwasher repair technician to fix your noisy dishwasher.
Normal Dishwasher Sounds
Even the quietest dishwashers will make some clicks, hums, and gurgles during operation. These sounds are normal, and can be caused by things like the detergent compartments opening, the water inlet valves working, and the solenoid opening.
Rattles, Knocks, & Thumps
Often, rhythmic rattles, knocks, & thumps are caused by improper loading or overloading of the dishwasher. The sprayer arm might be knocking against a large item on each spin, or the jets of water from the sprayer arm might be so strong that the dishes knock together. Try running your dishwasher with nothing in it. If the sound persists, obviously the problem is not the dishes or loading.
Pump Problems
Sometimes, debris gets lodged in the dishwasher pump, causing rattling sounds whenever the dishwasher fills up. This can be corrected by opening up the pump and removing whatever small objects might be lodged inside.
Motor Problems
Aging dishwasher motors are probably one of the leading causes of annoying sounds. Over time, the bearings inside the motor can become rusty or worn, which will allow the shaft to wobble and/or make screeching sounds. The slinger, which is a disc attached to the top of the motor, can also cause noises if it breaks off and starts spinning around the shaft uncontrolled. In either of these scenarios, the motor will have to be replaced to eliminate the sound and ensure good performance from the unit.
Heater Fan Problems
Grinding, scraping sounds are often caused by issues with the heater fan. When the bearings in the fan wear out or get rusty parts can start grinding together. Occasionally a fan blade could come loose as well. A dishwasher repair tech can easily replace the heater fan and its motor for you.
Water Hammer Effect
If it seems like your pipes are rattling or banging when you run the dishwasher, you have water hammer effect going on. The water hammer effect is caused by running water in the pipe suddenly slamming into a closed valve in the dishwasher. This can cause noise as well as vibrations that can affect the integrity of your pipes and connections. Contact a plumber to get an anti- water hammer device installed.
