Whirlpool W10518394 Dishwasher Heating Element OEM Part

My Whirlpool dishwasher (wdf520padm3) started leaving food on dishes and not drying dishes as well as it used to, even when I ran the 'high temp' and 'heavy' cleaning options. This started happening after about 3 years of operation. To try to diagnose the issue, I started the diagnostics cycle (see below for instructions on how to do this). However, the 'Clean' LED is also not working on my dishwasher, so I was unable to read the error code after the service cycle finished. I decided to replace both the heating element and the high limit thermostat, both of which I ordered from AppliancePartsPros. I followed the Youtube videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX5-ruvqZaI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfUK6OfTFFc I have 0 experience working on dishwashers, and it took me about an hour to disconnect all the water/drain pipes, electrical, and actually get the dishwasher out of the cabinet.I recommend you take pictures of the electrical wiring before disconnecting so you know exactly how to put it back. Once the dishwasher was out, it was easy to replace the two parts, and getting the dishwasher back in was easier than getting it out now that I knew what to do. I tested the dishwasher afterwards, but was disappointed that the water still didn't seem to be heating enough, and running the sani-rinse option finished with a flashing 'Sanitized' light (meaning the water was not heated to the proper temperature). I found a blog with a report of a similar issue here: https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/wdf510paysa-sanitized-light-blinking-at-end-of-cycle.61627/ Requoting below in case the website goes away: "Anytime you replace a part on these new dishwashers you always have to run the SERVICE DIAGNOSTICS CYCLE, and let it run all the way through to reset it back to default. Entry sequence: Press any 3 keys in the sequence 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 with no more than 1 second between key presses. NOTE: Some models have replaced the “Clean” LED with “Completed.” The Service Diagnostics Cycle will start when the door is closed. Invoking Service Diagnostics clears all status and last run information from memory and restores defaults. It also forces the next cycle to be a sensor calibration cycle. LET IT RUN ALL THE WAY THROUGH: Service diagnostic cycle will take about 23 minutes." I ran the service diagnostics cycle, then tried sani-rinse again. Water was heated to the proper temperature (solid 'Sanitized' light now) and everything seems to be working now. Afterwards I tested the continuity of the removed heating element and found that it was faulty, so that was probably the issue.

Replaced heater element: Once I had the dishwasher out of the cabinet with supply hose, drain hose and electric disconnected, removing the heater element was fast and easy. However, it was confusing that the new heater element had rubber washers on it already, something not mentioned in the product listing, although kinda visible in the photo. I ordered the separate rubber washer parts recommended by Appliance Parts Pros together with the heater element. The separate rubber washers were the same size as my existing ones. The rubber washers already on the new heater were relatively smaller. It took me time to think about the rubber washers which were not described in the Appliance Parts Pros video. No instructions come with the heater. I decided to take off the smaller ones on the new heater and use the separate rubber washers that matched the existing ones after installing the new heater with each of them separately to see the difference. The new heater comes with its own plastic nuts which is good because the new heater has much larger threads than the original heater, so the existing nuts cannot be reused. I read horror stories about new heaters from other other sellers with different threads but that didn't include new plastic nuts. Pros: the new heater and rubber washers were half the cost of the deductible for my home warranty and I didn't have to take a day off work to let a stranger repair guy into my house on a day they choose. Cons: it took me all day to get the dishwasher out of my cabinet and back in, because its never the fairy tale they make it look like on the video when you have flooring in the way and long supply and drain hoses going around a corner cabinet and because I replaced the supply hose and air gap while I was doing the job since it seemed like the thing to do at the time (why waste the opportunity?). All day. Oh well.

Our dishwasher did not dry and I noticed the element broke. I ordered the new element and qty 2 washers. I was not sure if I needed the washers as I did not want to take my dishwasher apart until the new parts arrived. I paid for 2-day shipping and the parts arrived by FedEx in 2 days. I turned off the breaker to the dishwasher as my dishwasher was plugged in behind our dishwasher. Note: I did not have to remove any electrical and I did not have to remove the drain line as both were long enough to easily pull the dishwasher out and even turn it on its side. I turned the water off under our kitchen sink as the dishwasher had its own isolated shut off valve. Upon removing the kickplate prior to pulling the dishwasher out, I was able to unscrew the waterline which was right in front, next to the kickplate. That was nice having it upfront! The element itself easily is removable. Pull off the wire on each side and then unscrew the plastic nuts holding the element in place from the underside. Note: you will receive new plastic nuts to hold the new element in place. Now open the door and set the new element in place. Important: The element has 2 small washers on it. From reading reviews, I debated ordering new washers, qty 2. I did. It turns out you do need larger washers IN ADDITION TO the small washers that come with the element. Then turn the dishwasher on its side and tighten the new plastic nuts on to the end of the element, attach the wires, turn upright, carefully slide back in place and attach the waterline. I will note that the larger washer did work perfectly, squished down, and made a good seal upon tightening the element with the plastic washers so again, I recommend purchasing 2 washers and the element. Last, I am 69 and not a repairman and it really is a simple repair that was done with only a pair of pliers. Thanks to Appliance Parts Pros.

I replaced the heating element. I was able to remove the plastic retaining nuts that hold the element with just my hands. I only hand tightened them after putting the new heating element as well. I then ran a diagnostic cycle and the dishwasher is back to being great again. Thanks so much!

I'm a 63 year old female and my husband has a bad back so it was up to me to fix the dishwasher or call a repair man. I found AppliancePartsPros.com and watched their video, which was the best visual explanation of any other on You Tube. Very concise and good visuals. With that, I ordered the heating element and two rubber washers. Using my I-Pad to watch the video, I followed the steps making sure to switch off the power to dishwasher at the breaker box, unplug, and the rest was a success, except for the water line which was a copper tube. That part was awkward to deal with and ended up leaking. I replaced the copper with a flexible water hose (after watching your video on that operation) and viola....perfection. Everything now works as advertised. Going forward, if the repair project is within my ability, I will be using AppliancePartsPros.com. They are awesome. Thank you for designing such a user friendly, helpful website for the DIY type person. Kathy Conrad