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Kenmore Dishwasher leaking from motor area

If your Kenmore dishwasher is leaking from motor area parts underneath the tub, start by pinpointing the source. In most cases, a dishwasher leaking from pump area is caused by a worn shaft seal, so the motor shaft seal is the first thing to check. On some models, that repair is handled with a seal kit or an impeller and seal kit, which is often more practical than replacing individual pieces. If the leak is coming from the pump itself, or the motor shaft is rusted, you may need the full pump and motor assembly. A cracked water inlet valve can also cause a Kenmore dishwasher leaking under motor symptoms, and a damaged drain hose can leak near the same area, making it look like the pump seal is at fault. Because this kind of dishwasher pump seal leaking problem can come from a few closely related parts, entering your model number on RepairClinic.com is the best way to find the exact Kenmore shaft seal, impeller and seal kit, pump and motor assembly, water inlet valve, or drain hose that fits your dishwasher.

01 - Kenmore Dishwasher Shaft Seal

First, try to determine the source of the leak. If the water is leaking from the motor shaft area, the motor shaft seal is likely defective. If the seal is defective, replace it. (Some manufacturers sell the seal independently of the impeller. Other manufacturers require that you purchase the impeller and seal together. Still other manufacturers require that you purchase the entire pump and motor assembly instead of the impeller and seal. It is more cost effective to replace the seal kit rather than the impeller and seal.)
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02 - Kenmore Dishwasher Impeller and Seal Kit

First, try to determine the source of the leak. If the water is leaking from the motor shaft area, the motor shaft seal is likely defective. If the seal is defective, replace it. (Some manufacturers sell the seal independently of the impeller. Other manufacturers require that you purchase the impeller and seal together. Still other manufacturers require that you purchase the entire pump and motor assembly instead of the impeller and seal. It is usually more cost effective to replace the impeller and seal kit rather than the pump and motor assembly.)
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03 - Kenmore Dishwasher Seal Kit

First, try to determine the source of the leak. If the water is leaking from the motor shaft area, the motor shaft seal is likely defective. If the seal is defective, replace it. (Some manufacturers sell the seal independently of the impeller. Other manufacturers require that you purchase the impeller and seal together. Still other manufacturers require that you purchase the entire pump and motor assembly instead of the impeller and seal. It is more cost effective to replace the seal kit rather than the impeller and seal.)
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04 - Kenmore Dishwasher Pump and Motor Assembly

If the dishwasher is leaking water from the motor area, the entire pump and motor assembly need to be replaced. First, try to determine the source of the leak. If the water is leaking from the drain pump, the impeller and seal is likely the cause. On most dishwashers, you can replace the impeller and seal kit independently of the drain pump. However, if you do not want to disassemble the pump, or if the impeller and seal kit is not available separately, you can replace the entire pump and motor assembly. In addition, if the motor shaft is rusted and the new impeller won’t fit onto the shaft, replace the pump and motor asse...mbly.
Highly Likely

05 - Kenmore Dishwasher Water Inlet Valve

A dishwasher's water inlet valve opens following a short drain cycle to fill the tank with water in preparation for the wash cycle. If the inlet valve is cracked or damaged, the dishwasher can leak water near the motor area beneath the dishwasher tank.
Common

06 - Kenmore Dishwasher Drain Hose

A dishwasher leak near the motor area could be caused by damaged drain hose. Confirm the hose is secured to the drain pump outlet port and check for any cracks or holes in the hose itself. Replace a damaged drain hose with a new one.
Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore dishwasher leaking from the motor area?
How do I tell if the leak is coming from the pump seal, water inlet valve, or drain hose?
Should I replace the shaft seal or the whole pump and motor assembly?
Can I keep using my dishwasher if it is leaking under the motor area?
How do I find the right Kenmore dishwasher leak repair part?

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