Hi Dan, I do not need the check valve which is what I found with the links.

I need the grey plastic flap valves, there are two each. One or the otherseals depending upon which one is opened by the upper rack when it is pushed in.

My wife uses the upper rack position, so I'm able to look underneath the upper rack, and, can see the lower flap is partially open. My belief is that this is causing water to spurt out and thus lower the pressure in the upper rack spray arm.

Sears confirmed to me that they only sell the entire feed tube assembly and they claim the original manufacurer does not sell just the grey flapper valve part.

I am re-posting the photo of the long grey feed tube. To the immediate right of the upper clip shown is the valve section. The plastic cover snaps off, revealing the flap valve piece...this is what I'm seeking.

Attached Thumbnails

 

rc-b wrote:
You mean these thingies??

Probe

(click for large image)

I've never come across them before myself.

Dan O.
Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Sadly, the part you have shown is the probe end of the upper spray arm.

The "flapper valve" is the part that the above probe pushes-open when the upper rack is pushed towards the rear of the dishwasher.

If you look at the feed tube, you will see that it has two holes...separated by a little over an inch. As the upper rack is capable of being lowered or raised, the upper spray arm probe can enter either the upper hole, or the lower hole.

Inside the holes, and it is trivially easy to unsnap the fitting and pull out the "rubber" part, there are two flapper valves, which are cut from a single piece of grey elastomer.

On my unit, just barely over one year old, we use the upper hole primarily. The problem is that the lower hole's flapper valve doesn't fully close. It has taken a "set" for some reason and remains open about 1/4 inch.

Thus, I am suspecting that the reason I don't get proper cleaning of glasseware in the upper rack is that water pressure is lost at this lower valve hole, and therefore the upper spray arm has too little water flow.

I will try to get a digital camera to take a picture of the valve opened. But in your very nice picture of the feed tube, to which I originally pointed, you show the two holes in the feed tube into which the upper spray arm probe inserts.

I'm surprised this is not a replacement part...it clearly is a part that can wear and tear. Again, I am just trying to avoid replacing the whole feed tube assembly @$45 or so, instead of a couple dollars for that little grey flapper valve piece.

Thank you for continuing to look for the answer for me! Best Regards, Rob

rc-b wrote:
I don't see anything which is available except the whole 'feed tube' assembly # 8539167. I couldn't find any kind of repair kit listed anywhere either.

You could try contacting Whirlpool (whom made your dishwasher model for Sears) and see if they have any kind of repair kit available which is just not listed anywhere yet?

BTW. Whirlpool looks to use at least 3 different versions of such a feed tube (# 8539167, 8539166 and # 8268359). I don't know if they all use the same internal parts nor if they have always been exactly the same design. Maybe the currently supplied ones have been redesigned in an attempt to correct any shortcomings?? You could try asking whirlpool that too?


I'd like to see them as I've never had to delve that deeply into such a part myself.


Dan O.
Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

gee, anyone have any luck finding these flapper valves? i seem to have the exact same issue on a dishwasher barely a year old! i think it was fine until my wife moved the rack down one day and broke the seal on the the other hole.

I seem to have a similar problem. I ordered the check valve (from your link - thanks) but, having opened up the washer and got to the point above, I can't see how to get that cover off to get to the cutter underneath. The whole thing is pretty hard to see because of the buildup (we have very hard water).

I have cleaned it off as much as I can but it is still not obvious. The one I have (Kenmore) does not look exactly like that - as an example the grinder input area has a funny little cover over it. But, on the whole, it looks about the same.

Any help greatly appreciated. And thanks for the information so far.

Whats the model# of your dishwasher?

I have to go out of town today, I will be back tonight to follow up on your post here.

Jake

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Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
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Kenmore Ultra Wash with Quietguard. No model no. on the front and I am running it right now, I will see if there is a number inside once that is done.

Thanks!

OK, I have it now: 665-16032401

Thanks!

Thanks,

Yours does like look slightly different, look on the middle top of your chopper cover, see that raised notch? Does it have a screw there? Most don't. I usually get my flathead screwdriver and tap that raised notch to the right, then the cover comes off.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances