I have a Maytag Performa dishwasher about 5 years old. How does one remove the central spinning arm, which sprays out the hot water. Mine does not appear to be spinning when I run the dishwasher. Does it spring loose by pushing on the middle screw in the middle of the arm, or does the middle screw have to be unscrewed. Thanks,

The Maytag spray arms always get clogged and stop spinning. There is no easy way to remove the food matter from the inside of the spray arm after it gets pretty filled....UNTIL NOW...Drill a 1/4" hole on each end of the spray arm on the top. This method works for either spray arm, but be careful to leave at least 1/8" of distance from the two small holes that spray out water, when you drill the hole. Then using a Dremel tapered stone grinding bit enlarge the hole to 5/16" to accommodate a stainless steel 5/16" plug with the inside hex head. Also use the fine thread, not the course thread, as it will screw more securely onto the thin stainless gage arm and will last. Grind to enlarge the hole a little at a time to make sure your plugs thread into the arm snugly. I have been using our modified arms on our Maytag for over a year and we now have consistently sparkling, clean dishes. We run the washer twice per day and clean out the arms at least once per week which takes only two or three minutes.

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Dishwasher Spray Arm Not Turning ' Home Guides ' SF Gate

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Remove the lower tray of the dishwasher to freely access the spray arm. Turn it byhand, and if it doesn't move freely, you will need to unscrew or unbolt any ... How to Remove the Lower Wash Arm on a Maytag Dishwasher MDB7000AWW ...

Maytag dishwasher bottom spray arm doesn't turn - Home Repair Forum

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Jan 3, 2009 - 5 posts - ‎3 authors
I'm now soaked, but I was able to determine that the lower arm isn't turning. There's a LOT of water coming out, but it doesn't move. Turning by hand I can turn it freely, it spins like a top. .... You may not post new threads; You may not post replies; You maynot post attachments; You may not edit your posts.

How do i remove the lower spray arm of my Maytag .

The filters are probably plugged. This will require removing the lower spray arm and cleaning the screens or its possible your not getting enough water in the dishwasher which will cause th upper spray arm to not turn

The upper spray arm is powered by water from a tube that runs up the back of your machine on the inside. If the connection is not aligned, then the water can't get to the spray arm. My children use to knock mine out of kilter when they loaded the lower section. It's easy to see if the supports are not attached to the upper rack and a simple snap will get them back in place.
It may also be that the spray arm jets are clogged.Depending on the model, the upper spray arm generally has a nut or thumb/butterfly screw (plastic) that you remove and then remove the arm. I always soak mine in hot soapy water and then flush with hot water. If debris such as pieces of paper, bone, peelings are in there, you'll need to take a tweezer or toothpick to remove them from the jets. The upper spray arm usually has the same apparatus and you can follow the same procedure..
I hope these suggestions help your problem. If so please come back to Fixya and rate my advice!

Hi,

In you case check the heating element first...

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things...

Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new...

However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad...

So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working...

Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online


A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

heatman101

Asker

Hi,

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101

Asker's Testimonial "explanation very clear. will give it a go and see how simple it was. thanks Ronnie " - ronnieshomes

clog in the arm. It should spin due to water flow.

Remove the arm. Usually a tow part arm (top and bottom). Or a central screw with cover plate.

Look for a clog and remove.

If a central arm in the middle of the machine the clog can be in the pipe supplying the water. Again take apart and look for a clog.

They are not belt or gear driven. Simple water driven parts only. If the water is flowing and not leaking under the machine you should be OK with a simple clog somewhere.

Cleaning the filter was the right thing to try.
Since you don't see cracks/breaks on the spray arm and it appears that it is spinning freely, I doubt that replacing the spray arm will fix your problem.
If your dishwasher is several years old, your problem is likely a failing pump motor, but before you swap that out, check that the impeller is not damaged. Good Luck!

Yes!

sound like a low water level and or pressure issue. Start machine on normal cycle after filling open door and ck water level. should be up toJUST below heater assy.. assumiong htats good set hte wash arms to a set positon so you can watch for rotation. close the door adn after a few secs open rapidly and look for middle arm to be spinning, even the top 3rd row arm if present, should be spinning spinning . if not its possible that the motor/sumo assy is blocked w/ foriegn debris. remove the lower spray arm (hold the nut and spin arm)then remove 4 or 5 torx 15 screws. probly pretty glogged under there. if not id look into replacing motor sump assy/seals worn and not throwing water where it should go