Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

[leegray1965]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

Hi Jason,

thanks for taking the thread further. Cleaning the original pipe didn’t solve the original problem of the cycle not finishing, so I’m thinking about a fuller uninstall and clean process, and your photos will certainly help.

However, I’d be interested in wether you actually solve the cycle time problem by cleaning the final trap, as it would be a shame to get that far and find it doesn’t fix the problem.

I’m reluctant to do the uninstall as all the pipework is only just long enough to connect to the dishwasher, so will need disconnecting when it is pulled out. Of course the pipes are all behind the backs of the fitted kitchen units, as it was put in by the fitters at the same time that the kitchen was fitted, with no thought to make it easy to disconnect / reconnect the dishwasher.

Thanks,
Lee.

[judgej]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

Hi Lee,

Thanks for starting the thread. I would be lost without it.

Looking at the way it works, I think the water level sensor is the most important thing to clean. Pipes will work, even when constricted, but a sticky or incorrectly-sensing sensor will not.

Since cleaning the sensor in the side, I have run the machine through about five cycles, all of which completed. The timings are still a bit variable, but I think that is the machine settling down and getting itself adjusted to the temperature etc. When I was given the machine, I was told that it stopped working completely – it didn’t finish a cycle at all.

There are just two screws holding the side panel on, both accessible from the front, through two holes in the rubber seal on the front. The side panel then lifts up and unclips, and the level sensor is right at the front. You may get away with just pulling the machine out eight inches or so, and that will probably be enough (so long as you can get enough grip on the side panel to lift it off).

The sensor assembly lifts off in one go, with just one clip at the bottom holding it on (a small polyethylene tab next to the outlet pipe connector). There are also two micro-switches to unplug (one has two tabs and the other three tabs, so it is difficult to get them the wrong way around). It goes without saying that the mains electricity should be completely isolated before touching the switches.

As has been mentioned earlier in the thread, don’t lose the o-rings. The o-rings may stay in the bottom, or they may come out with the sensor – either way, just make sure they don’t drop off without you noticing.

Also remember where the red flood sensor rod sits. You can see it through the front aftet removing the front panel. It sits on a polystyrene float, which is easy to dislodge. When the sump pan floods, the float floats, and pushes the rod which operates one of the micro switches.

Last thing, when dismantling the sensor, the order in which everything goes back together it fairly obvious, but do remember which way up the red float goes (it is cup-shaped, with a slit at one edge to prevent it holding water when drained). It goes in with the open end *down* (the micro switches are at the top). If you put it the wrong way up, then it will fill with water and stop working.

Good luck.

— Jason

[nomadPaul]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

judgej wrote:Hi Lee,

Looking at the way it works, I think the water level sensor is the most important thing to clean. Pipes will work, even when constricted, but a sticky or incorrectly-sensing sensor will not.

— Jason

Jason , you’ve put a lot of good info here but i just want to point out one thing for your own knowledge more than anything.

The ribbed hose between the level sensor and main sump is one hose that WILL most definitely cause problems with your dishwasher , even if it’s only constricted rather than fully blocked…and here’s the reason why :-

For your machine to heat correctly , there are a number of factors that must be met. One of these is suffecient water levels to make the pressure switch in the heater box operate. This ensures the machine’s heater doesn’t operate ‘dry’ thus risking major problems.
Now , if the ribbed hose is constricted , the incoming water flowing through it will ‘back-up’ into the pressure chamber thuslifting the red float. This is turn will operate the drain pump as the machine see’s it as an overfill so it pumps out a little water. As the incoming water starts flowing through the ribbed hose again , the level in the red float chamber drops and the drain pump shuts off . this cycle will continue throughout the fill period and will normally show itself by a constant ‘kerdonk kerdonk’ noise during this time.

The fill matrix has a set volume of water that it dumps in the machine. These constant ‘mini-drains’ during fill will drop that water level down to such a point that there’s not enough water in the machine for the heater to operate safely….hence extended wash times and no hot water. The same thing occurs if the pressure chamber gets crudded up and the water ‘back’s up again causing operation of the red safety float.

Hope this explains the importance of cleaning the ribbed hose out .

😀

[judgej]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

Cool. It’s always good to learn from the experts 🙂

[leegray1965]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

A final update……

Cleaning the hose at the front of the machine did not sort the problem. I carried on with the extended wash times, but then one day the machine didn’t wash at all. The cycle ran, but no water entered the machine, and the drain pump kept running.

Investigations revealed that the sump pan underneath the machine had water in it. This was raising the float, and causing the pump to run constantly.

Draining the sump (using a tube and the ‘suck’ method – not pleasant…) allowed the machine to work again, however a small stream of water was observed from the area of the sensor mentioned earlier in the post, when the machine was filling. After about a week, the sump was again flooded.

Something had to be done, so I resolved to try cleaning the sensor. This I succeded at, which resolved all the problems. The sensor was so clogged that it was leaking as it tried to fill the machine.

Anyway, here is the process I used……

1. Turn off the Water and Electric to the machine (!)

2. Remove the door of the machine – see earlier.

3. Unscrew the machine from the work-surface – there are two L shaped plates attached to the Front LH and RH top edges of the machine. These are push-fit into the top of the mashine, and either screwed to the underside of the worktop, or to the neighboring units. It may be that it is impossible to reach the fixing screws if the unit has been fitted whilst the kitchen is being built, however this is not a problem, as the machine can be dropped down on it’s screw legs, and the plates popped out from the top of the machine with a screw driver. In refitting the machine, I didn’t bother re-fitting the plates.

3. Pull the machine completely out, so that the rear of the machine is accessible. A number of steps below require access to the rear.

4. Undo the two screws on the front of the machine holding the LH side panel (mentioned in an earlier entry)

5. The side panel wraps around the back of the machine slightly, and is located on a white plastic pin at the rear of the machine. It must be pulled away from this pin before the side panel can be pulled away from the machine – it ‘hinges’ on its bottom edge.

6. The machine should now look like the photo earlier in the thread entitled “Here is the whole side off” -however there will be restraining bars across the matrix.

7. Remove the restraining bars.

8. Remove the two white plastic corners (top left and top right of the picture) holding the Matrix onto the machine. Note that the one towards the rear of the machine is attached by a screw at the rear of the machine.

9. The Matrix can be emptied – see instructions earlier in the thread, however it isn’t mandatory.

10. Lift the Matrix up and off the push-fit connectors at the bottom of the Matrix. Note the 3 pipes (bottom left of picture) do not need to be disconected from the matrix, however it does mean the Matrix needs to be carefully balanced whilst te rest of the work is done.

11. The Sensor is now accessible. The pipe at the front of the machine should be disconnected, and the sensor assembly can be pulled out of the push-fit connectors.

Once the sensor was disassembled (see earlier in the thread) and thoroughly de-gunked, and the machine reassembled, the machine worked perfectly again.

Many thanks for all contributors to this thread.

Cheers,
Lee.

[dkleeman]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

Thank you very much to the various extremely helpful people who have contributed to this post. I have followed the instructions and hopefully I have a working machine again.

It looks to me like the rogue chamber full of dirt at the top left of the matrix is a pressure relief channel for the main water fill. It has a small water entrance on the leftmost side about three inches from the top of the U bend and then has a ‘maze’ to prevent too much flow before it reaches a vent right at the top. This is a poor design as the maze traps dirt and crud. I suspect that mine is completely blocked now and would not function. However, I doubt that it contributes to smells or problems.

If you wanted to clean it out you would have remove the matrix completely and be very patient with a high pressure hose, some pipe cleaners and bleach. Probably not worth it.

[Boro]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

Hi Guys,

Thanks for help with this problem. i used this or similar information some years ago.The problem is back, i.e.not finishing cycle, not very well washed. I have the components removed from the appliance but I am finding it extremely difficult to remove the GUNK.I am using a caustic soda solution at present but am making slow progress. Is there a better solvent to dissolve the grease? What procedures should I employ to prevent this reoccuring? Thanks in advance

[Martin]

Re: Bosch SGV57T03GB wash times extend to 144min

First off DO NOT USE CAUSTIC SODA!

The internal pipe work can easily be cleaned by stripping and cleaning the relevant blockage manually without the use of such a dangerous and corrosive substance. :rolls:

[Author]

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