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Hi,
My Zanussi is filling but the water level doesn’t come up far enough to cover the heating element. This caused the last element to burn out through overheating (which I’ve now replaced).
Any ideas why a machine can fill – but not to the right level?
Cheers!
Re: Water level not up to correct height: Zanussi ZT 695
It could be a water metering issue; the level is controlled by the airbox and pressure switch behind the left side panel. I would be looking at the wash pump not circulating properly as the water in this range of dishwasher will never cover the heater; the water is heated as it flows down over the heater.
The most common causes of exposed heater element failure is poor circulation from wash pump; no water in the sump so no water circulated (blockage) or cutlery dropped across the heater causing a form of heatsink that taxes the element and will lead to premature failure.Power off before any inspection – no live testing!! :plug:
A.
Re: Water level not up to correct height: Zanussi ZT 695
aqualectric wrote:It could be a water metering issue; the level is controlled by the airbox and pressure switch behind the left side panel. I would be looking at the wash pump not circulating properly as the water in this range of dishwasher will never cover the heater; the water is heated as it flows down over the heater.
The most common causes of exposed heater element failure is poor circulation from wash pump; no water in the sump so no water circulated (blockage) or cutlery dropped across the heater causing a form of heatsink that taxes the element and will lead to premature failure.Power off before any inspection – no live testing!! :plug:
A.
Thanks aqualectric. Not being familiar with dishwashers do you mind if I get clarification?
1) I had the left cover off (when seen from the front of the machine). There’s this panel of see-through plastic with a convoluted routing for the water to enter the machine. Down near where the fill solenoid valve is, I see two apparently identical switches/sensors attached into this panel.
What does this panel do (why is it so convoluted)? Are those the level sensors?
2) Gotcha on the heater – it’s basically being kept with range by “rain” from the splashing water. Clever! When I whipped the door open mid cycle I saw water splashing about but one area of the (new) element glowing a dull red – the rest of it was cool enough. Which would indicate poor circulation like you say.
I know that “dull red” isn’t a good thing 🙂
3) There seems to be water in the sump alright. So blockage it may well be. Is there anything else that could cause poor circulation? The machine was working fine until I moved it back under the kitchen counter after needing to access behind it for other reasons.
Re: Water level not up to correct height: Zanussi ZT 695
aqualectric wrote:It could be a water metering issue; the level is controlled by the airbox and pressure switch behind the left side panel. I would be looking at the wash pump not circulating properly as the water in this range of dishwasher will never cover the heater; the water is heated as it flows down over the heater.
The most common causes of exposed heater element failure is poor circulation from wash pump; no water in the sump so no water circulated (blockage) or cutlery dropped across the heater causing a form of heatsink that taxes the element and will lead to premature failure.Power off before any inspection – no live testing!! :plug:
A.
What you said you would be looking at was what needed looking at. It went like this:
1) Somehow a piece of broken glass got lodged under the perforated filter plate – in the seat where the filter plate sits. This meant the filter plate sat off the floor of the washer – allowing a gap for debris
2) Tissue paper partily blocked the inlet to the pump impeller supplying the top spinner
3) Clearing tissue paper seems to have also resulted in a greater level of water in the washer than before (would like to know how – two observers confirm water level higher than before (even if not covering the element as you say isn’t required)
4) Washer works fine now.
Thanks a lot for the heads up…
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