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Bosch DW - standing water, funky smell

sweetbabyjames5

12 years ago

Hi everyone! I have the Bosch Integra 800 SHV68P03UC DW that was just installed in November 2011. When it arrived, there was THE SMELL that I've read about. I contacted Bosch who said to do the old vinegar wash. I am not sure it ever worked. That said, I have noticed that after every wash there is standing water at the bottom of my unit. It is murky and yellowish looking and I assume may be creating the odor? Is it normal to have standing water, and if so, how much?

I am certain that my DW is getting hot water. My dished come out beautifully. I use Cascade powder, Jet Dry, and some Lemi-Shine (hard, hard water where I live). I have looked under my sink to see if I have the high loop, but there are so many hoses under there, and I'm not sure which hose is the one I'm supposed to look at. :) We did a kitchen remodel, so a new garbage disposal was added, new faucet, etc.

Our plumber installed the DW. I am not convinced he's ever installed a Bosch before but he did read the instructions. So, I thought I should see what you experts think before I conatct him to come back or call Bosch to schedule service to address the standing water.

What do you think?

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Comments (4)

weedmeister
12 years ago
Well, all DWs have standing water in the bottom when complete. But it should not cover the bottom, only in the sump. And it should be clear.

Have you cleaned the filter?
Do you have an airgap or does it drain directly into the GD?
sweetbabyjames5
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the response! Now forgive my ignorance, how do I know if I have an air gap?
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asolo
12 years ago
Ditto weedmeister....only sump-puddle and should be clear.

Suspect drain-line obstruction....which is pretty easy to check. I'd do that before calling somebody.

Disconnect drain hose from the GD and look at that end of the hose and, especially, into the entry-port of the GD. Very common place for obstructions. If you find it there, you're probably done.

If no obstruction observed there, get a big enough bucket to take complete drain volume from the machine and run a "rinse-drain" cycle. The machine will fill and drain within just a few minutes. The draining water should rush out of the hose at a pretty good rate so don't surprise yourself. If it doesn't do that, there's a problem further up the line.

If the drain water does rush out at a good rate, I suspect your problem's over. Then look at the bottom of your machine. There shouldn't be standing water anywhere in there except a little puddle in the bottom of the sump. If there's still standing water above that level, you'll have to go further......and probably call on warranty service.
weedmeister
12 years ago
An airgap is that thing sitting on the corner of your sink that seems to have no purpose. Its usually round, about 1.5" tall, and has the drain hose from the DW attached to the bottom. You can pull off the cap and stare at its marvelousness. Sometimes debris can get in them and block them, in which case you remove the shiny cap and unscrew the plastic part underneath. Clean accordingly and reassemble.

Do not operate the DW without the plastic cap in place, unless you want an Old Faithful fountain spewing from your counter top.

If it drains into the GD, run a cycle and watch when it drains. The water flowing through the GD should be moving at a high rate, like an open garden hose.

Here is a link that might be useful: airgap.

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