KitchenAid Dishwasher leaking from motor area: Common Causes & How to Fix

Turn off power and water supplies. Disconnect the power cord and shut off the water inlet valve.

Remove lower access panel. Find mounting screws or clips and detach the bottom front panel.

Locate door seal or seals requiring replacement. Common areas include around the door, tub walls and pump assembly.

Remove old seals from surfaces. Gently pry seals away, cleaning surfaces thoroughly afterwards.

Inspect surfaces and replace if needed. Check gasket channels for wear and replace damaged tub components.

Apply lubricant if included with kit. A thin film eases new seal installation and future removal if needed.

Press new seals into position. Firmly seat seals, working from ends and squeezing out any trapped air.

Reattach front access panel if removed. Check that panel is securely in place.

Run test wash cycle. Reconnect power and water to ensure new seals provide a proper seal during operation.

Inspect seals after 2-3 washes for leaks. Readjust or replace any problem seals found during early operation.

Unplug KitchenAid dishwasher and shut off water. Disconnect power and water lines before starting repairs.

Remove lower access panel or toe kick plate. Find mounting screws or clips to detach the bottom front panel.

Disconnect hoses from circulation pump. Gently squeeze hose clamps and slip hoses off water inlet and outlet ports.

Remove mounting hardware from pump. Use nuts or bolts to detach the pump assembly from the KitchenAid dishwasher wall.

Remove old impeller and seals. The impeller pulls off the motor shaft, seals can be pried out of pump housing.

Clean pump housing thoroughly. Remove any debris or deposits from the recessed areas before installing new parts.

Install new seals into housing. Press rubber seals firmly into position around the water ports.

Slide on new impeller. Align impeller correctly before pushing it fully onto the motor shaft.

Reattach pump assembly. Align pump and insert mounting bolts, hand-tightening securely.

Reconnect hoses and test. Reinstall lower panel then run a cycle to check new impeller operation.

Turn off power and water supplies. Disconnect power cord and shut off water inlet valve. Remove any food from the KitchenAid dishwasher.

Remove outer tub and lower spray arm. Find mounting screws or clips and detach outer tub assembly from door. Remove lower spray arm.

Disconnect water inlet line. Using pliers, remove retaining clip and slide off hard water inlet line from circulation pump housing.

Remove circulation pump and housing. Remove mounting screws to detach pump and housing from inner tub wall.

Remove old shaft seal from housing. Pry seal out of place or use seal removal tool if available. Check for cracks or damage.

Clean housing seal area thoroughly. Wipe away grit or debris to ensure tight seal of new part.

Press in new seal. Firmly press replacement seal into place, flush with inside of circulation pump housing.

Reinstall pump and housing. Replace any gaskets and slide housing back into position in inner tub wall. Secure with screws.

Reconnect inlet line and spray arm. Replace outer tub and run a test cycle to check for leaks on new shaft seal.

Unplug KitchenAid dishwasher and turn off water valve. Disconnect power cord and shut off water supply.

Remove lower access panel or toe kick. Find and remove screws/clips holding the bottom front panel in place.

Locate diverter motor on valve body. It is attached to the side or bottom of the diverter valve assembly inside the KitchenAid dishwasher.

Disconnect wiring harness. Depress retaining clips and gently pull plug from back of old diverter motor.

Remove attachment hardware. Use nuts or bolts to detach the motor from the valve body.

Remove old motor from valve. Spin or slide motor off after removing mounting hardware.

Attach new motor to valve body. Align motor and insert mounting bolts/screws. Hand-tighten securely.

Reconnect wiring harness to motor. Push plug onto back of motor until it clicks into place.

Replace lower access panel. Reinstall any panels removed earlier.

Reconnect power and water. Run a test cycle to make sure the new motor is functioning properly.

Disconnect power to KitchenAid dishwasher at circuit breaker. Shut off for safety before servicing.

Remove lower kick panel and drain hose from pump. Detach hose clamp to separate parts.

Note position of wires on motor terminals for reconnecting later. Take clear photos if needed.

Disconnect wires from existing pump motor one at a time. Carefully remove without damaging.

Remove mounting screws securing pump body to KitchenAid dishwasher tub. Lift out entire assembly.

Clean area where new pump will mount. Remove debris from mounting surface.

Mount replacement pump body using screws removed earlier. Align mounting holes properly.

Reconnect wires individually matching positions noted earlier. Refer to photos as needed.

Reattach drain hose to new pump with clamp. Make sure you have a tight secure connection.

Replace lower panel and reconnect power. Run test cycle to check new pump operation.

Inspect installation and make adjustments as needed.

Shut off water supply and unplug KitchenAid dishwasher. Turn off the water valve and disconnect the power cord from the outlet.

Remove toe panel or kick panel. Find the screws, clips or tabs holding the bottom panel in place. Unfasten them to remove the panel.

Disconnect water inlet hose. Grip the hose clamp and slide it up to detach the hard water inlet hose from the sump assembly.

Remove drain hose from pump. Disconnect the drain hose barb from the garbage disposal or sink drain tailpiece on one end, and the drain pump on the other.

Remove mounting screws. Use a nut driver or wrench to loosen and remove the screws or bolts securing the sump assembly in the KitchenAid dishwasher.

Remove old sump assembly. Pull out the old sump and gasket from the base of the KitchenAid dishwasher cabinet. Inspect for cracks or other defects.

Install new sump and gasket. Position the new sump, lining up mounting holes. Hand-tighten screws to secure.

Reattach hoses and water supply. Push drain and inlet hoses onto barbs, then slide clamps into place. Reconnect water supply line.

Replace bottom panel. Relocate any panels removed earlier and secure with fasteners.

Run test cycle. Reconnect power and run a short empty cycle to check for leaks on hose connections.

Safety Precautions:

• Begin by ensuring the KitchenAid dishwasher is disconnected from the power source and water supply to guarantee your safety during the replacement process.

Access the Water Inlet Valve:

• Locate the water inlet valve, typically found at the bottom of the KitchenAid dishwasher, behind the lower access panel.

Gather Necessary Tools and Replacement Parts:

• Ensure you have the required tools, such as pliers and a screwdriver, and acquire a compatible replacement water inlet valve.

Disconnect Water Supply:

• Turn off the KitchenAid dishwasher's water supply, which is usually located under the sink. Disconnect the water supply hose from the inlet valve.

Remove the Access Panel:

• Use the screwdriver to remove the lower access panel of the KitchenAid dishwasher, providing access to the inlet valve.

Disconnect Wiring and Hoses:

• Carefully disconnect the wiring and hoses attached to the old water inlet valve. Take note of their positions for reconnection.

Remove the Old Valve:

• Gently detach the old water inlet valve from its mounting point, often secured with screws or mounting brackets.

Prepare the New Water Inlet Valve:

• Unpack the replacement water inlet valve and inspect it for any defects. Ensure it is clean and free from any packaging materials.

Install the New Valve:

• Carefully position the new water inlet valve in the same location as the old one, securing it with the original screws or mounting brackets.

Reconnect Wiring and Hoses:

• Reconnect the wiring and hoses to the new water inlet valve, ensuring they are properly and securely attached.

Reattach the Access Panel:

• Place the lower access panel back onto the KitchenAid dishwasher and secure it with the screws you removed earlier.

Turn On Water Supply:

• Reconnect the water supply hose and turn on the KitchenAid dishwasher's water supply.

Plug In and Test:

• Reconnect the KitchenAid dishwasher to the power source and run a test cycle to ensure the new water inlet valve functions correctly and no leaks are present.

Final Check:

• Inspect the new water inlet valve and its connections to ensure they are properly installed, preventing any water supply issues during KitchenAid dishwasher operation.

Shut off water supply and unplug KitchenAid dishwasher. Turn off the water supply valve and disconnect the power cord from the outlet.

Detach hose from disposal or sink drain. Disconnect the existing drain hose from the garbage disposal or sink drain tailpiece.

Detach hose from KitchenAid dishwasher pump. Locate the drain hose connection on the KitchenAid dishwasher drain pump. Gently squeeze the hose clamp and slide it up to detach the hose.

Remove old hose. Pull the drain hose completely out of the KitchenAid dishwasher cabinet. Inspect for cracks, leaks or buildup that could affect drainage.

Install new drain hose. Feed one end of the new drain hose into the connection on the drain pump. Push it fully on and slide the hose clamp down to secure it tightly.

Attach new hose to disposal/drain. Connect the other end of the replacement hose to the disposal inlet or sink drain tailpiece. Secure with a hose clamp.

Replace any removed parts. Reinstall any parts that were removed, like a kick panel or toe panel.

Turn water back on and test. Reconnect the water supply and run a test empty cycle to check for leaks on the new drain hose connections.

Unplug KitchenAid dishwasher and disconnect hoses. Remove the power cord from the outlet and disconnect the drain and inlet water hoses from theold pump.

Remove kick panel. Look for mounting screws, tabs or clips along the bottom front of the appliance. Use a screwdriver to release any fasteners holding the kick panel in place.

Locate and remove old pump. The pump is usually located near the bottom center or bottom right corner inside the KitchenAid dishwasher. Use a wrench to remove any mounting bolts. Carefully pull out the old pump.

Clean area around new pump site. Wipe away any debris or standing water near where the new pump will mount.

Install new drain pump. Set the new pump in place and secure it with the mounting bolts. Hand-tighten bolts securely.

Reconnect hoses to pump. Push drain and inlet hoses securely over barbs at pump. Make sure the hose clamps are tight.

Replace kick panel. Align panel and secure with any screws or fasteners removed earlier.

Plug in and test KitchenAid dishwasher. Reconnect power cord and run a short cycle to check for leaks and ensure new pump is functioning properly.

Shut off water supply and unplug KitchenAid dishwasher. Turn off the water valve and disconnect the power cord from the outlet.

Remove toe panel or kick panel. Find mounting screws/clips and remove the bottom front panel.

Locate circulation pump. It's usually located at the bottom of the KitchenAid dishwasher, towards the front near the toe panel area.

Disconnect hoses from pump. Gently squeeze hose clamps and detach hoses from water inlet and outlet ports on the pump.

Remove mounting screws. Use a nut driver or socket wrench to remove screws or bolts securing the pump assembly in place.

Detach electrical connection. Disconnect the wiring harness plug from the back of the pump motor.

Remove old pump. Pull out the circulation pump from the KitchenAid dishwasher.

Install new pump. Set the replacement pump into position and hand-tighten mounting screws.

Reattach hoses and wires. Secure water inlet and outlet hoses to ports with clamps. Plug wiring harness into new pump.

Replace front panel and test. Reinstall lower panel and run a cycle to check for leaks on hose connections.