My dishwasher quit on me...

[NastyWoman]

It is 10 years old, so should I even bother getting a repairman in or should I just buy a new one? What is the cut-off for a decision like this? 

[Jaguar]

Find out what it will cost to fix, then figure out if it's worth it, OR call Archie.

[doxieluvr]

Buy a new one. We had a two year old dishwasher die. Repairman said by the time we pay to fix it, another $100 would buy a brand new one. So far that one had lasted 3 years and it was money well spent.

[marvholly]

Considering how much more energy efficient newer models are I woud probably replace.

Other things to consider:

cost of replacement inc home delivery
cost of install
cost, if any, to dispose of old
how much you actually use the unit (as a single I generally run a load every 7-10 days)
do you have the $$ on hand to cover or will you be paying cc interest for more than a month or 2

In my case i have the $$ in my checking account, I have a handyman who can/will do the install & can even pick it up if needed, my unit is at least 15 years old

[NoNamePerson]

Jan 14, 2014 2:45:52 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Find out what it will cost to fix, then figure out if it's worth it, OR call Archie.

Archie can fix anything  

[Cookies Galore]

Your hands still work!

*rimshot*

;-)

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Depends what is wrong with it and how much it costs to repair.

At this point, I would be really reluctant to buy new appliances.  Last year, my sister replaced all of her 18 year old appliances with new ones.  At this point, they are just out of warranty.

So far, she has needed to have 3 repaired, and these were not low end appliances either.  Last night, she just was told that her new fridge is on the fritz.

I think getting a 10 year expiration date on new appliances in the future is going to be optimistic.

[resolution]

My MIL was complaining that the new clothes washer doesn't work as well as the old one because of all the changes to make it energy efficient. 

However a 10 year old dishwasher is at the high end of it's lifespan, so it may be time to just replace. I pushed it on my old dishwasher and ended up incurring additional expenses of replacing the base of cabinets when it flooded the kitchen.

[Deleted]

I would buy a new one.  the service call is usually $100, so if they come out and tell you it's $200 to fix, it would have been better to spend that $100 on a new one.  just get 12 months, no interest financing....and MLK day is coming up so you should be able to find some sales.

[milee]

Jan 14, 2014 7:51:42 GMT -5 resolution said:

My MIL was complaining that the new clothes washer doesn't work as well as the old one because of all the changes to make it energy efficient. 

Completely agree with your MIL on that one.  In the past, you could buy a simple top loader made by a reputable company and that sucker would last 15-20 years.  Few electronic parts and the upright drum orientation meant they were very durable.  And yep, they did clean really well but were tougher on clothes. 

The newer ones with all the electronics and the horizontal tub orientation break much more quickly. 

Law of unintended consequences.  Government mandates to increase water and electricity conservation resulted in manufacturing products that did exactly that, but only last 1/3 of the time the old product did.  So if you live in an area where you have lots of space to dispose of the extra volume of trash from throwing away those appliances but water and electric are expensive, then you're coming out ahead from an environmental standpoint.  If you live in an area where water and/or electric are inexpensive but space for garbage is at a premium, this was not a good move.

It's a big country and that's one of the problems with federal laws - one size doesn't fit all.

[PK Bucko]

It really depends on what's wrong with it. But at ten years old, I'd say your best bet is to get a new one.

[Peace77]

A friend of mine wanted to replace the racks on his dishwasher but it was cheaper to replace The whole dishwasher.

I suggest replacement. 

[Jaguar]

Jan 14, 2014 7:34:23 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Jan 14, 2014 2:45:52 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Find out what it will cost to fix, then figure out if it's worth it, OR call Archie.

Archie can fix anything  

Yup Archie is our fixer upper, with a twist.

[Bonny]

I'd probably spend the money for a service call @ $85 if it's a decent dishwasher, say $700+. If it's an el cheepo, say $400 or less probably not.

Dishwashers will generally last a while in the SF Bay Area because the water isn't that hard. If you were in San Diego or AZ it would be another story.

I've paid for repairs on older appliances and they've continued to work o.k. But my general rule of thumb is if the repair is 50% of the cost to replace then I will replace.

[whoami]

Ours bit the dust after 10 years and we just replaced it.  Its so much quieter than the last one and I think does a much better job cleaning.

[Deleted]

I've replaced my dishwasher twice in the past 14 years.  Man I hate appliances these days.  My over the range microwave quit last week too, (also, the third one!).  I bought one off of Craigslist for $40 to replace it.  Screw getting another new one.  I'm hoping to replace everything with stainless in a couple years.

However, I just fixed my fridge last year to the tune of $250 and my washer had several repairs the first few years (I think it actually died and it's a zombie washer now, but it's given me no trouble the past 10 years).

[tskeeter]

At that age, repair parts may be hard to find and expensive.  Unless it was a very expensive dishwasher, you're probably better off replacing it.

Think of what it will take to fix it.  You'll take time off work so a service person can come out and figure out what's wrong.  There is a good chance, given the age, that they won't have the parts you need on the truck.  So, if they can get the parts, you'll have to wait for them to order and get the parts.  Then you'll have to take more time off work to get the actual repairs done.

If you by a new dishwasher, they will often deliver the new dishwasher, remove the old one, install the new dishwasher, and haul away the old dishwasher in one trip and in a couple of hours time.

[amishgal]

Jan 14, 2014 6:49:19 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Considering how much more energy efficient newer models are I woud probably replace.

Other things to consider:

cost of replacement inc home delivery
cost of install
cost, if any, to dispose of old
how much you actually use the unit (as a single I generally run a load every 7-10 days)
do you have the $$ on hand to cover or will you be paying cc interest for more than a month or 2

In my case i have the $$ in my checking account, I have a handyman who can/will do the install & can even pick it up if needed, my unit is at least 15 years old

How does your dishwasher not reek after 7-10 days of dirty dishes??  Ours starts to smell if it's not run at least every other day and I do rinse the dishes first. 

[Tiny]

Jan 14, 2014 14:07:03 GMT -5 amishgal said:

Jan 14, 2014 6:49:19 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Considering how much more energy efficient newer models are I woud probably replace.

Other things to consider:

cost of replacement inc home delivery
cost of install
cost, if any, to dispose of old
how much you actually use the unit (as a single I generally run a load every 7-10 days)
do you have the $$ on hand to cover or will you be paying cc interest for more than a month or 2

In my case i have the $$ in my checking account, I have a handyman who can/will do the install & can even pick it up if needed, my unit is at least 15 years old

How does your dishwasher not reek after 7-10 days of dirty dishes??  Ours starts to smell if it's not run at least every other day and I do rinse the dishes first. 

Maybe she washes the dishes (more than just a scrape and rinse) before they go in the dishwasher?      I'm the dishwasher at my house - but when visiting other people's homes - it seems they all scrape, then wash and rinse everything before it goes in the dishwasher...    I've always assumed dishwashers were a place to store your clean dishes until you are ready to 'sanitize' them and re-use them.

[amishgal]

Jan 14, 2014 15:09:50 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Jan 14, 2014 14:07:03 GMT -5 amishgal said:

How does your dishwasher not reek after 7-10 days of dirty dishes??  Ours starts to smell if it's not run at least every other day and I do rinse the dishes first. 

Maybe she washes the dishes (more than just a scrape and rinse) before they go in the dishwasher?      I'm the dishwasher at my house - but when visiting other people's homes - it seems they all scrape, then wash and rinse everything before it goes in the dishwasher...    I've always assumed dishwashers were a place to store your clean dishes until you are ready to 'sanitize' them and re-use them.

If I was going to scrape and rinse that thoroughly, I'd just wash them by hand. That's why I have a dishwasher to WASH them! 

[Deleted]

I like Bonny's suggestion. 

And I agree about today's appliances, I think they all have planned obsolescence.

Joss, we use a local mom-and-pop sister-and-brother appliance store that has an arrangement with a local repair company. If the repairmen come out and give you an estimate. If you opt to repair your appliance, they charge you. If you opt to replace it, they don't. (I don't know what their arrangement is ... either the appliance store pays their call-out fee, or the repairmen get enough business from the store that they write it off.)

I know that may sound "fishy" but both companies have been around and working together since before I moved here 30 years ago. They both offer AMAZING customer service, so everybody in my suburb and all the neighboring suburbs uses them.

Is there anything comparable near you? 

Their appliances are slightly more expensive than in the big box stores (5%-10% higher), but it's worth it to me. I don't buy small appliances or electronics there, but I do buy big appliances there (ie fridge / dishwasher / clothes washer / dryer / oven / stove).  

[8 Bit WWBG]

When my old one broke, I spent time researching the model online.  I looked for common issues and any fixes.  It was likely the solenoid.

I don't know what a solenoid is, and I have no business replacing one.  We got a new one, 0% financing, paid it off early and onward it marches.  It cleans much better.  Someday I want to get one of the whisper quiet ones that you can't even tell if its running.

[resolution]

We have one of the whisper quiet ones that you can't tell if it is running, but it takes two and a half hours to clean the dishes.

[Deleted]

but it takes two and a half hours to clean the dishes.

Yikes! My DH prefers the 2.5h cycle ... which is why I run it when he's not home or asleep. 

Have you checked the manual? There MUST be a shorter cycle somewhere LOL (even if it's noisier)!   

[marvholly]

Jan 14, 2014 14:07:03 GMT -5 amishgal said:

Jan 14, 2014 6:49:19 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Considering how much more energy efficient newer models are I woud probably replace.

Other things to consider:

cost of replacement inc home delivery
cost of install
cost, if any, to dispose of old
how much you actually use the unit (as a single I generally run a load every 7-10 days)
do you have the $$ on hand to cover or will you be paying cc interest for more than a month or 2

In my case i have the $$ in my checking account, I have a handyman who can/will do the install & can even pick it up if needed, my unit is at least 15 years old

How does your dishwasher not reek after 7-10 days of dirty dishes??  Ours starts to smell if it's not run at least every other day and I do rinse the dishes first. 

I have ALWAYS rinsed in hot water using a scotch brite.  Never had issues w/smells in all the house w/all the dw I have had (since 1970).  Even when we were 4 at home 9+kids friends several times per week) generally only ran it every 2-3 days.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2014 17:18:30 GMT -5 resolution said:

We have one of the whisper quiet ones that you can't tell if it is running, but it takes two and a half hours to clean the dishes.

but it's not as though you can't do anything else during that time....

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2014 14:07:03 GMT -5 amishgal said:

Jan 14, 2014 6:49:19 GMT -5 marvholly said:

Considering how much more energy efficient newer models are I woud probably replace.

Other things to consider:

cost of replacement inc home delivery
cost of install
cost, if any, to dispose of old
how much you actually use the unit (as a single I generally run a load every 7-10 days)
do you have the $$ on hand to cover or will you be paying cc interest for more than a month or 2

In my case i have the $$ in my checking account, I have a handyman who can/will do the install & can even pick it up if needed, my unit is at least 15 years old

How does your dishwasher not reek after 7-10 days of dirty dishes??  Ours starts to smell if it's not run at least every other day and I do rinse the dishes first. 

have you cleaned out all the inside parts of your dishwasher?  sounds like that's the problem, not the dishes in it.  I've never had a problem with my dishwasher smelling.

[steph08]

I used to pre-rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. It was a pain and a waste of water.

Then I bought those Finish Powerball dishwasher tabs/capsule thingies instead of just using dishwasher gel. They are amazing. I don't pre-rinse anymore and my dishes sit in the dishwasher for probably 3-4 days (without smelling) before washing and they come out sparkly clean.

[dancinmama]

For me, it would depend on how much I like the appliance and how much it would cost to find a replacement that I liked equally as well.

Our dishwasher broke down about 4 years ago. I really liked the way it cleaned and loaded and wanted to repair it. One problem - Bosch no longer made the part.  It kind of ticked me off, but in the end we purchased another Bosch because of the way it loaded.  It is amazing how many dishes I can load into the darn thing.  We rarely have to run it more than once every 7-10 days unless we have company.

We still have one of the first Maytag energy and water efficient front loaders (the original Neptune).  It is 13 years old and wonder how much longer it's going to last.

Our refrigerator is a GE Profile and is 15 years old.  Wondering when that one is going to crap out too.

[dancinmama]

Jan 14, 2014 17:18:30 GMT -5 resolution said:

We have one of the whisper quiet ones that you can't tell if it is running, but it takes two and a half hours to clean the dishes.

Wow!!  Ours is really quiet too.  Unless you're the one who turned it on, you wouldn't know the darn thing was going. 

I use a quick wash/econo cycle and they're done in 40 minutes.