

944,471
Well, there's a lot to consider.
First, check to see if it is on the recall list.
If not, trouble shoot to see if there is a fix they can do themselves.
If they have to repair it, what would it cost? Keep in mind, new dishwashers aren't cheap anymore.
How long can they wait for the dishwasher they want? There was a year wait on the one I wanted so we bought the next best one and literally had to get it the day it was delivered because three out of 5 had already been promised to someone else.
How much do they like it? I had to replace mine last year and finally broke down and got a Bosch. I liked it well enough that I wouldn't have replaced it had it not been fixable. I got a Bosch and I like how well it cleans and how quiet it is. Btw, I think I did dishes for about a month before we got the new one installed. I prefer a dishwasher. ;-)
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
1,113,198
No home warranty?
I'd call in a plumber, it could be something simple at only 4 years.
My first DW lasted 8 years, my second and current one was put in in 2009 so 14th year. HW gave me a credit can't remember how much to replace the first one, I added money and got one I liked better . . .
HW paid for itself right there.
As for not having instructions, Google 'manual for [item] and you just might get one. Also you could try troubleshooting via YouTube. There's always someone who has had the same problem!
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Phoenix, AZ
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
2,718,058
"Sounds like a train wreck" says it all.
The cost of a plumber and/or an appliance guy will be more than the cost of a new dishwasher. Go to the Appliance Store, get a replacement.
The downside? The new models are "energy efficient", which means that they won't get the dishes clean. You have to run them through a couple of extra cycles to get the job done.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
3,048,946
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert - My first dishwasher installed when the house was built in 1994 lasted 15 years. Since then, I had to replace my dishwasher an additional 4 more times. Problem 1) It is very difficult to find a kitchen appliance service/repair technician. 2) Handy people come, take the money and don't fix. 3) Appliances are not made in the USA anymore. 4) Dishwashers have gone up in price. 5) Appliance companies go out of business quickly. 6) My newest dishwasher purchased in 2021 is running okay but the tray that stacks the dishes keeps having the prongs break off and they are rusted metal pieces that burns up from heat or just goes bad. 7) Residential Home Warranty companies find reasons not to fix, covered under warranty, or replace. 8) Name Brands are no longer owned by companies made in the USA.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
3,447,691
Most if not all appliances have online owner's manuals. Google the make, and model and see what you can find.
Sometimes it is cheaper to replace than it is to fix. Get the "wrong" repair technician in there and the problem could get worse, not better.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
2,872,647
If it is a quality unit, and if the repairs are tame plus reasonable, proceed accordingly. If older unit, pause and assess before investing any money. I had a 14-year-old, state of the art (at the time) washer act up. Repair guy said: You need a $500 part and then said, it is better to buy new. As far as buying new, buy reputable brand, spend good money and buy local where they deliver and remove old unit. Cheap stuff is problematic so beware
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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Richard Alan Naggar
Riverside, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
6,055,854
Today's dishwashers are more energy efficient, and wouldn't spend money on repair, as they are also not too expensive.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
5,559,082
Peter, they're so cheap right now, I'd buy a new one. Noises bother me and a noisy dishwasher would annoy the dickens out of me!
Mine typically runs in the evenings after dinner when we are winding down. I don't want to hear a 'train wreck' going on in my kitchen while I'm enjoying a quiet evening! 😉
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
1,119,429
Since you don't have instructions and it could be operator error, go to the manufacturer's website and enter the serial number or model #, whichever they use and you can get the manual and FAQS. If may also tell you if there is a recall on it.
I need to replace all our kitchen appliances and check the ratings in Consumer Reports before buying. The new appliances are not cheap and one thing I don't like is the wash cycle on a DW is two hours on most of them so having a hard time finding what I want.
At four years old an appliance is still fairly new so, unless they can afford a new DW (which is not cheap), have them check the website and manual first. If they decide to replace, they may have to settle for something they do not want just to get it quickly.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
1,478,941
It is your client, not you, who is having the problem. Are you a dishwasher repairman or plumber or do you play one on TV? I think not. Best to recommend that your client seek the services of an expert.
I have had dishwasher problems, refrigerator problems and microwave problems over the years. Also with washer and dryer. Almost always better to get a qualified repair professional in to check the problem which may or may not result in the need for a replacement rather than repair.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
1,875,168
If it is that loud I'd get a new one & install more insulation around it.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
929,885
Get a new, quiet one. Our Miele is SO quiet, you cannot hear it at all, it's a pleasure! I've had the "train wreck" noisy ones; had to practically leave the house to make a phone call. The Miele does take some attention, "asks" for specific rinses to be added once in a while and we use special little Miele soap pellets. It cleans the dishes too, lol.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Haiku, HI
5,389,961
When I sense an appliance is on its last legs I buy a new one when the big sales are on.
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
5,559,795
If it is not a quality product might be time to replace. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet. Be prepared to hear the sound for quite som time, available dishwashers are hard to find.
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
6,767,646
Generally cheaper to replace.
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
3,691,588
How about getting an appliance repair person to see if they can fix it. 4 years isn't that old but that sound would turn off a lot of buyers.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
1,546,324
Do they have a home protection plan? If they do, call it in! A $75 or $100 service call is a lot cheaper than a new unit.
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Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
1,769,155
In our case we try to make them last as long as possible. Not a fan of disposability in most items, especially appliances. It helps if you have a handy person around.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
878,941
3,223,757
I replace after the warranty is up. It costs are much to repair as to replace unless you are going to youtube and do it yourself and I'm not. One of my agents takes his own stuff apart and fixes and that's fine and good if someone is going to do that, but my husband and I are not mechanically inclined.
In the past 20 years I've replaced the washer twice, the frig once, the dishwasher once, the stove once and the upright freezer once. and my dryer from the 80s just keeps on drying clothes.
And I will add they don't make them like they used to because my mom has a dryer from the 60s, a washer from the 70s and a basement refrigerator from the 70s... all work fine.
539,848