Bosch SGI 305 GB dishwasher

[BristolBoy]

We have this model which is now 9 years old and has been relatively problem-free until recently. It still washes the dishes well, but during and after the cycle there is a terrible smell, almost fishy, but possibly burning. I have checked the filters which look clean.

Also (may or may not be connected) the machine is not taking in the dishwasher cleaner when we run a cleaning cycle (the bottle was still full).

Any ideas what I should look for and whether or not I should call a repairer out?

 

[JohnD]

this smell is more likely to be coming from the plug socket.

It is typical of overheating thermo-setting plastic

Pull the plug out and look for signs of scorching or deformation on the socket and the plug. Turn off the power at the fusebox and feel this socket for heat when you smell the burning.

If you have two appliances plugged into the same socket, that may well be the cause. Otherwise it could be wear and old age causing looseness, or bad terminations in the plug or socket.

Remove and replace whatever has been getting hot. Cables are damaged by heat and may need to be cut back and jointed which is a job for an electrician.

 

[BristolBoy]

this smell is more likely to be coming from the plug socket.

It is typical of overheating thermo-setting plastic

Pull the plug out and look for signs of scorching or deformation on the socket and the plug. Turn off the power at the fusebox and feel this socket for heat when you smell the burning.

If you have two appliances plugged into the same socket, that may well be the cause. Otherwise it could be wear and old age causing looseness, or bad terminations in the plug or socket.

Remove and replace whatever has been getting hot. Cables are damaged by heat and may need to be cut back and jointed which is a job for an electrician.

Thanks John - I checked the plug, which is hidden away in a built-in cupboard and it is indeed scorched and has two appliances on an adapter. For now, I have put in a new adapter and if the same happens again, I will buy a two-plug gang socket which should be better.

Anyone have any idea about the cleaner not being taken in? I can't imagine it's caused by the same problem!

 

[JohnD]

Those cube-shaped adaptors are very bad and the weight of plugs tends to pull them loose and give poor connections. A 4-way trailing adaptor is better (it has a 13A fuse in the plug so is less liable to overload).

Unless the other appliance is very low power, you are likely to overload the socket. Even a double socket is not rated fot two large appliances such as dishwashers/ovens/kettles/washing machines/tumble drier running at the same time.

 

[cmother1]

Regarding the cleaner not being taken in: If it's the type I've used the bottle has a plug on the end that dissolves to let the cleaner out. If this isn't happening it suggests that there isn't enough water or that it isn't hot enough. I assume you're using a hot wash as recommended.