How would you fix this?

Since there are some great minds in here I thought I would ask..

So the problem is, the plastic threads on the dishwasher salt compartment have stripped and consequently does not seal anymore, so it's making everything rusty. I think it's possibly the tank rather than the actual cap that is stripped which is a bit of a nightmare to replace the whole salt tank...

so i need some kind of universal sealing cap of sorts that is water tight?

Iv'e tried wrapping the existing threads in PTFE tape but doesn't hold up in the wash. I'm thinking of a large hose clip holding something on? a bit of a marigold glove?

Any better Ideas?

Use 'all in one' dishwasher tabs, you won't need the salt then.

Aha, that’s thinking outside the box!

Which dishwasher and how old is it?

That is an incredible solution! I must admit, I never even thought of that, but, I just checked and the tablets we are using claim to be 'all in one' but the dishes are just not getting clean without the 'additional salt'.

Maybe I can try another brand and hope their salt content in their all in ones have higher salt content, I don't know... I have heard that apart from softening the water (hard water area here) they also provide some abrasion in washing. Not sure how true that is but makes sense.

Edited By Sherlock on 08/08/2018 22:14:47

It's a 'Stoves' S450DW slimline one about 3 years old or so, I checked on the warranty situation but it's expired

Edited By Sherlock on 08/08/2018 22:13:04

Edited By Sherlock on 08/08/2018 22:13:39

Have you looked on the various spares companies sites, they seem to have salt containers on the one I looked at.

Yeah unfortunately not a lot available for that model. Stoves sells spares direct but nothing for that model.

To be honest I am trying to resist replacing the container itself as the unit is integrated and really not looking forward to un plumbing, laying the unit on its back and taking the bottom off. I hate plumbing related chores

If the stripped threads are external on the tank can you not turn up a nylon or polyethylene 'bung'?
Conversely, if the threads are internal, then turn up a push-on cap?

Thanks, yes a bung might do it. maybe if I use a rubber one it will hold in with friction.

I suppose we have to assume your water supply has a fair degree of hardness? Without a profile, we are unable to gain any idea of the water supply chemistry in your area. There is possibly a case of just not needing a water softener at all.

Some model aircraft fuel tanks improve on simple insert friction by sandwiching the bung between two supports and compressing it after insertion to expand radially. Usually simply with a through pin somewhere on the radius to prevent twistng and a central bolt to pull up the inner support.

pgk

It might be worth checking this website for spares: **LINK**

Also, I recall that Stoves were re-brand Hygena. The joys of fittings a couple of kitchens over the years, and helpful chap at well know trader only kitchen suppler informed of this.

we have the hwhole house water softened except for a seperate drinking water system and thats triple filtered....

I've always been doubtful of those. The dishwasher manufacturer builds in a water softener for a good reason. If hard water dries on the dishes it will leave the hardness behind as cloudiness. The salt doesn't go into the washing water. It is used to regenerate the ion exchange resin in the softener. So how can an all in one work? It cannot remove the calcium ions from the water can it?

Russell

By chelation as I understand it.

N.

Posted by not done it yet on 09/08/2018 08:15:43:

I suppose we have to assume your water supply has a fair degree of hardness? Without a profile, we are unable to gain any idea of the water supply chemistry in your area.

Yes, it’s a hard water area Calcium carbonate(CaCO3): reads at 286 ppm (per litre)

Posted by pgk pgk on 09/08/2018 08:31:18:

Some model aircraft fuel tanks improve on simple insert friction by sandwiching the bung between two supports and compressing it after insertion to expand radially.

That sounds good. When I woke up this morning on a fresh head though, I realised the centre of the original cap actually depresses inward like a float so its not air tight all the time, presumably its way of dispensing the salt? So am wondering wether the whole sealing off completely by whatever means is actually going to work. Not entirely sure how these caps dispense or the purpose of the moving centre in the cap.

Posted by David Mitchell 5 on 09/08/2018 08:58:12:

It might be worth checking this website for spares: **LINK**

Also, I recall that Stoves were re-brand Hygena.

I never knew that and is worth knowing, cheers I will check that out

Posted by clogs on 09/08/2018 09:04:07:

we have the hwhole house water softened except for a seperate drinking water system and thats triple filtered....

We have actually been considering that, how ware you finding it? did you get the water filter and softening kit from the same company?

I think I am gonna try crawl in there today (oh the joy) and inspect the threads properly to be certain. If they are knackered I might just try some super glue mixed with baking soda on there then file it down to redress the thread.

Most American dish washers don't have softeners built in for exactly the reason you quote, the whole house has a softened water supply.

All in one tablets do not have anything to do with regenerating the resin in the softener, but merely stop the calcium etc from adhering. They actually do the same job in reducing calcium deposit the same way Calcon does for washing machines.

Funnily enough, they don't have softeners built in either.

Regards

If you go the whole house route for a water softener, consider plumbing in the loo (as well as the drinking water supply before the softener) straight from the mains. It will save you a lot of salt.

Salt is a lot cheaper than loo cleaner, and have you looked inside your cisterns lately?

Softened water will keep it spotless.

Regards