How to Replace A Dishwasher Flow-Through Heater

If your dishwasher isn't heating up properly and you open it to find that your dishes are still wet and cold, there's a good chance the flow-through heater is faulty or broken. When this happens, you'll need to replace the flow-through heater in order to get your dishwasher heating up properly again. In this article, we'll guide you through how to replace a dishwasher flow-through heater step-by-step in order to get your appliance back in working order.

It's worth noting that some dishwashers have flow-through heaters, whereas others have a standard heating element. The replacement process will differ if your dishwasher has a standard heating element instead, so it's always worth consulting your user manual before proceeding. You can also get in touch with us through our contact page and one of our contact centre specialists will be happy to help you find the part you need.

For this replacement, we'll be using a Gorenje dishwasher. However, the process should generally be similar for most makes and models of dishwashers with a flow-through heater.

How to know if your dishwasher's flow-through heater is faulty

If your dishwasher finishes a cycle and you open the door to find your dishes still wet and cold, a faulty flow-through heater is likely to blame and the part will need to be replaced. However, there's more than one cause of this particular issue, so head on over to our article on diagnosing dishwasher heating and leaking problems for more advice on accurately diagnosing the problem.

What you will need:

To carry out this replacement, you will need the following tools:

• A Phillips screwdriver
• A flathead screwdriver
• Water pump pliers
• Dishwasher jubilee clips
• A towel
• A new flow-through heater

Finding your model number

Before beginning the replacement, you'll first need to know your dishwasher's model number to make sure you buy the correct flow-through heater for your particular appliance. The model number is usually displayed on a sticker or data plate behind the door (around the frame). The number may be a combination of letters and numbers, and it could also include other characters such as a dash (-) or a slash (/). For more help on finding this or for what to do if the model number has rubbed off, take a look at our guide here.

How to replace a dishwasher flow-through heater

Let's get started! To learn how to replace the flow-through heater in your dishwasher, either watch our video or follow the step-by-step repair guide below.

Safety first

Remember, safety comes first! Always switch off your appliance and unplug it from the wall before carrying out any work. You will also need to turn off the water supply and disconnect the dishwasher from the water supply hose.

Step 1: Accessing beneath the dishwasher

To carry out this replacement, you will need to get to the underside of the dishwasher. To do this, you will need to pull the dishwasher out and lay it down on its back. It's a good idea to have a towel at the ready when you do this, as there may be some spillages. It's also a good idea to have something such as a towel or a protective mat to rest the dishwasher on, as this will prevent the machine from damaging the flooring.

Step 2: Unscrew the baseplate

Once you have your dishwasher laid down on its back, you will need to remove the baseplate. First, use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws that keep the baseplate connected to the machine.

You will then need to also unscrew the dishwasher's feet. On the dishwasher we're using for this replacement, the two feet at the front will come out with the baseplate while the two at the bottom will stay connected to the dishwasher. However, it may be the case with your particular dishwasher that you will need to remove all the feet to remove the baseplate.

Step 3: Remove the anti-flood sensor

Most dishwashers also have an anti-flood sensor connected to the baseplate from the inside. This will also need disconnecting before you can fully remove the baseplate. You can disconnect the anti-flood sensor either by unscrewing it or by removing the electrical connections from the terminals. If you remove the electrical connections, we recommend taking a photo first, as this will help you reconnect them correctly when reassembling the appliance later.

Here, we'll be unscrewing the sensor from the baseplate. To do this, pull the baseplate away from the dishwasher enough to access the anti-flood sensor, then unscrew the sensor from the baseplate. Once you've done this, you will be able to fully remove the baseplate.

Step 4: Remove the pump

With the baseplate removed and the interior of the dishwasher visible, you will need to remove the pump in order to give yourself enough space to also remove the flow-through heater. To do this, use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws on either side of the pump, then disconnect it from its electrical connection.

With the pump unscrewed, you can remove it from the dishwasher and place it to one side.

Step 5: Remove the old flow-through heater

Now you can start removing the flow-through heater. First, you will need to disconnect the three electrical connections that are connected to the heater, then unclip the bracket that holds the heater in place.

Next, you will need to separate the heater from the hoses. The hoses will be held onto the heater by single-use hold clips. These clips are not designed for reuse, so they can be stiff and difficult to take off. Therefore, to remove them, you will need to use some force with a pair of water pump pliers.

Once the old flow-through heater has been removed, you can start fitting the new one. To do this, you will need to replace the single-use clips with jubilee clips that are designed for reuse and are easier to adjust. Reattach the new heater to the hoses with the jubilee clips in place, then secure the heater by tightening the jubilee clips over the hoses where they connect to the heater. You may need to use a flathead screwdriver to tighten the jubilee clips.

Once the heater has been reconnected to the hoses, you can reclip the bracket that holds the heater in place.

Then reconnect the three electrical connections to the heater that you removed earlier.

Step 6: Reassemble the dishwasher

Now that the new flow-through heater has been fitted, you can reassemble the dishwasher. First, reattach the pump by screwing it into place with the screws you removed earlier and reattaching it to the electrical connection.

Then reattach the anti-flood sensor by screwing it back onto the baseplate.

Finish by reattaching the baseplate. Screw the baseplate back onto the bottom of the dishwasher by returning its feet and the four screws you removed at the beginning of this process.

You can now stand your dishwasher back up, reconnect it to the water supply, turn the water supply back on and plug your appliance back into the wall. And that's all there is to replacing a faulty dishwasher flow-through heater! Your dishwasher should now be heating up and working properly once more.

Now that your dishwasher is up and running again, it's also a good idea to make sure you're using it as efficiently as possible. Our guide on energy-saving tips for your dishwasher has all you need to know to use your dishwasher in an energy-efficient manner, saving you plenty on your energy bills.

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