SMEG DWF1 – Odd Salt problem?

[jf]

Hi all,
Our DWF1 has grown a new fault – suddenly over the course of
1 or 2 washes the heating element has become covered in scale
and the otherwise prisitine stainless interior is now “tarnished” in
odd patches, evidence of scale on shelves and spray arms.
Also getting deposits on the pots – not salty.

The salt is well topped up, I’ve increased the salt setting from
3 to 5 (though 3 has been good enough for the last 6 years!),
but still getting deposits, the scale buildup seems to have stopped.

The only thing that comes to mind is: when I last topped up with salt
I spilt inside the machine (after the scale problem started), I removed
the excess and put it in a bowl – having run a LOT of hot water through
the bowl there were still largish lumps of white stuff that wouldn’t
dissolve – not what I expect of salt.

I wondered if something is blocked with non-soluble”salt” – hints on
where this might be most welcome.

I have a background in electrics/electronics and some experience
of repairing this machine:
– Four circulation pump impellers – all failed in the same way
– One circulation pump – rusted bearings due to the the circulation
impeller fault
– One detergent door solenoid

TIA!

[eastlmark]

Re: SMEG DWF1 – Odd Salt problem?

Is the salt in the container going down? As you have recently topped it up, remove the cap after a few washes and the level should have gone down, if not then it may be a regeneration valve problem or even the electronic control.
Those symptoms can also be caused by the spray arms being blocked (remove them and shake out any large bits through the central hole) or cheap detergent or rinse aid.

[jf]

Re: SMEG DWF1 – Odd Salt problem?

Salt seems to be going down – wife filled recently and the container
is not full now – I can feel some salt granules at the bottom of the
container.

Checked the spray arms all pretty clear though one nozzle in the
upper was partially blocked by a bit of what looked like paper
but other than this small blockage every thing else is clear.

Some evidence of white gungy substance (like putty!) around the
base of the lower spray arm, small amounts, don’t want to guess
what this is. Dishwasher filter cleaned fairly regularly.

Any ideas?

If some paper had got into the dishwasher could it end up in the
salt/softener system?

[Author]

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