How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP2617344 / WD24X10018 Piston & Nut Assembly

Removed screen that covered the lower back section (great video on APP site). Unscrewed and cleaned the piston, but noticed the rubber part was in poor condition. Found part here, arrived quick, and replaced in less than 10 minutes. 

The gasket in the pump assembly was completing worn away, allowing water to flow back into the tub of the dishwasher. My wife was about to pay $60 for a repairman to come diagnos and fix the problem. An Internet search and some tinkering worth the dishwasher (GE Nautilus) revealed the problem and it was a quick and CHEAP fix! 

Removed and cleaned plastic filter strainers (located in the bottom rear of the dish compartment) that was packed with sediment. In doing so I found the filter gasket assembly badly deteriorating (rubber coming apart with the simplest of touch). While trying to remove the filter gasket, I broke the lower spray arm assembly due to the plastic being brittle. (Unit is over 10 years old!) Then, while ordering parts, I read that the Piston & Nut assembly is the typical cause of the condition I was experiencing. Since it was only $10, I figured why not. All 3 components were exceptionally easy to replace and dishwasher is back to normal operation. 

The Piston and Nut assembly replaced Check Valve and Body and gasket replaced 

Initially, I tried cleaning drains with soda/vinegar/boiling water which cleaned it well but didn't correct the problem. I then saw video clip about the piston valve, checked it out and found that mine looked like "this is a bad one"...Ordered the part, waited two days enjoying the zen of hand washing dishes, put the new part in and turned it until it locked in place, screwed four nuts/screws back in, and voila, it was done!!! ---All by a 60+year old girl who doesn't know the difference in a nut and a screw when it comes to fixing things! And my well used 10 year old GE is back in service, and I have new found confidence in my abilities! Thank you for your help! 

Review of problem on your web site led to the check valves being the likely culprit! Followed the repair videos and removed the check vave - it was totally deteriorated! Ordered new parts Sunday afternoon -they arrived via FedEx on Tuesday afternoon. About an hour later repair was made, unit reinstalled in cabinet and dishes being washer - All Repaired! Thanks for the great Repair Help and great delivery! 

Assumed that the pump was not putting out enough water--probably had a damaged impeller or some kind of stopage. Ordered a new pump. When I took out the old pump, I discovered that the drain solenoid was rusted and stuck in the drain position. This meant that the unit was trying to pump out the water during the entire cycle. To be safe, I went ahead and installed the new pump (which had a new drain solenoid). The only difficulty was after I had installed the unit back under the counter, I discovered a leak. Could not find where it was so I had to remove the unit and run it outside of the cabinet. Tuns out the leak was where the upper spray head inters the cabinet. Some RTV fixed the leak so I reinstalled the unit.Only been a day but it appears that the dishwasher works like new now. Only problem was my own fault--at 87 I am not able to move quite as well as in the past but my wife thinks I am some kind of hero now! 

I replaced the check valve body assembly, as well as the piston and nut assembly. Since the piston and nut assembly screws into the check valve body assembly, and are the same age, it makes sense to replace them at the same time. 

Replaced piston/nut assembly by unscrewing and re-installing the new part. 

I read on your site that 66% of the time caused by a perished seal on the piston and nut assembly. So I purchased one and after watching your instructional video I easily replaced the part and BOOM it works 100%. Great site, fast delivery and good price. So thankful I came across it. I had tried a number of other fixes that just didn't work.