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My GE Potscrubber Dishwasher Is Leaking Underneath

Nathan McGinty

First introduced in the 1980s, the GE Potscrubber proved itself to be another in the line of long-lasting GE appliances. But even time-tested dishwashers can start to malfunction after a period of operation.

If you come home to find your GE Potscrubber dishwasher leaking underneath, there are a number of components you should check to help determine the source. As with working on any appliance, you should always make sure to disconnect power to the dishwasher before working on it.

Water Supply

GE Potscrubbers draw on a water supply from your house. In most installations, this is usually the kitchen sink. A water supply hose connects the water supply valve underneath the sink to your GE dishwasher. Sometimes these hoses can leak. Check the hose connection underneath your dishwasher. In most dishwashers, the hose connection is right at the front of the machine, directly behind the kick panel beneath the dishwasher door. Tighten the couplings on the water supply hose to see if that stops the leak.

Leaking Drain Hose

After the GE dishwasher is finished rinsing and washing the dishes, a pump impeller pulls the water inside the cabinet out of the pump and into the drain hose. These hoses usually run from the pump on the underside of the dishwasher cabinet to underneath the sink where they are connected to the tailpiece or the garbage disposal. Inspect the hose clamps on both ends of the hose to ensure that they are tight and keeping a good seal.

Drain Solenoid

The drain solenoid controls the flow of the water from out of the dishwasher during the drain cycle. It is an electromechanical device that opens and shuts the drain according to an electric signal. These components are constantly in contact with the water and can sometimes rust or leak after a period of use. Test a suspected bad drain solenoid with an ohmmeter to determine if it needs to be replaced.

Leaking Seal

The motor and pump in a GE Potscrubber is separated from the dishwasher cabinet by a pump seal. These seals are made out of rubber or plastic and, like all components, can degrade over time due to the harsh conditions inside the dishwasher. To replace one of these seals, you will have to remove both the agitator from inside the cabinet and the motor from beneath.