How to Replace a Dishwasher

This article explains how to remove an old dishwasher and install a new Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher. The old dishwasher drain PVC P-Trap was also replaced with a “P-Trap with Union & Plastic Nut” for easy plumbing disassembly and clean out should I ever need it.

How to Replace a Dishwasher

My 9 year old dishwasher wouldn’t drain completely after any wash/rinse cycle. It wasn’t worth the cost of a service call to repair and after performing some basic checks, I decided to replace it with a Frigidaire® Gallery dishwasher, model FGHD2433KF1.

This is the new Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher about to go in:

New Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher Model FGHD2433KF1

Dishwasher Project Table of Contents

The project phases are:

Part 1 – Troubleshooting why the dishwasher won’t drain (this article).
- Check for clogs in the drain hose, sump and check valve.
- Discovered the old dishwasher is leaking on the floor.
- Decide the old dishwasher isn’t worth fixing.
Part 2 – Disconnect and remove the old dishwasher.
- Disconnect the drain hose, water supply and electrical connections.
- Water was leaking on to the solenoid drain valve, causing it to go bad.
Part 3 – Buy a Frigidaire Gallery Dishwasher.
- New Dishwasher overview.
- Consumer Reports, SquareTrade extended warranty, Mfg Installation Instructions
Part 4 – Install a new Water Supply Line and Dishwasher Elbow
Part 5 – Set the dishwasher under the counter and height adjustment.
Part 6 – Mounting Brackets, Electrical and Water Hookup.
Part 7 – Replace the PVC P-trap and drain pipe.
- Install a new “P-trap with Union” for easy clean out.
- Turn on the new dishwasher.

Old Dishwasher Won’t Drain Completely

The GE Profile® Triton™ dishwasher had given many years of service, but wasn’t draining the water out of the tub. No matter the cycle – wash or rinse – about 2 inches of water remained in the tub.

GE Profile® Triton™ Dishwasher

Dishwasher Drainage Troubleshooting

See the Dishwasher Repair Frequently Asked Questions by Samurai Appliance Man and in particular the GE Dishwasher Drainology for excellent troubleshooting advice and replacement parts. I didn’t get past checking the sump entrance screen before finding more serious problems that motivated me to replace the dishwasher.

Drain Tube and Pump Check

The dishwasher cleaned the dishes just fine and the standing water in the tub was clear, but it wouldn’t drain completely. Holding the drain tube where it connects under the sink, I could feel and hear warm water rushing through the flexible drain tube into PVC house plumbing, which led me to believe the pump was working OK.

Dishwasher drain hoses are commonly connected to a fitting on the side of the garbage disposal. The drain hose on my dishwasher connects to a P-trap under the sink because it sits a bit too far away to reach the garbage disposal.

Dishwasher Drain Hose Under the Sink

Dishwasher Sump Inlet Cover and Sump Filter

To check the sump filter and sump chamber, I sponged the water out of the tube and into a bucket. I removed maybe 2 gallons of water.

Sponge the Standing Water out of the Dishwasher

Two hex-head screws (red arrows) are loosened to remove the sump inlet cover. I also noticed the edges of gray filter gasket lining the tub bottom is cracked and breaking.

Dishwasher Sump Screen Screws

The sump filter is the white oval part in the center of this photo. No obvious clogs here.

Dishwasher Sump Filter

The sump filter lifts out of the sump. The filter wasn’t clogged.

Dishwasher Sump Filter

I used a turkey baster to suck the water out of the sump to get a good look at the sump inlet. I found a 4″ metal skewer lying in the bottom of the sump (lower right corner). Removing this item and running a wash cycle didn’t fix my problem.

Dishwasher Sump

Dishwasher Rear Filter Check

Following the GE Triton XL Dishwasher Will Not Drain at Samurai Appliance Repair Man advice, I removed the four screws that fastened the filter rear filter frame (yellow square in the photo) and took out the check valve for inspection. The check valve appeared to be working fine.

GE Profile Triton Dishwasher – Rear Filter and Frame

Dishwasher Bottom Inspection

Continuing the trouble inspection, I removed the toe-kick access panel on the front of the dishwasher. Wow! The dishwasher is leaking under the tub with splashes and corrosion on the some of the electrical connections and mechanical parts. This made my decision to replace the dishwasher.