I have a kitchenaid dishwasher which is about 5 years old. Recently water has been pouring out of, what I believe is called, the air gap which sits on top of the counter at the sink. The dishwasher also has a slightly fishy smell and when I ask it to just rinse, nothing happens. It seems to run OK other than that and the dishes seem clean. Can anyone help me out ? Thanks.

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Originally Posted by vikster10

I have a kitchenaid dishwasher which is about 5 years old. Recently water has been pouring out of, what I believe is called, the air gap which sits on top of the counter at the sink. the dishwasher also has a slightly fishy smell and when I ask it to just rinse, nothing happens. It seems to run ok other than that and the dishes seem clean. Can anyone help me out ? thanks.

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Air gap on top of the counter at the sink?? This is highly unusual

The air gap is a safety measure to prevent water from going from the sink back into the dishwasher. When water comes out of the air gap it means that the pipe or rubber hose going from the air gap to the plumbing, most of the time this is the garbage disposal, is partially stopped up. Disconnect it from each end and wash it out with water, I think this will stop you problem. One other thing, if you do have a disposal, make sure that the disposal is clean, not filled with waste, before you run the dishwasher.

Remove hose between the air gap and the disposal if you have one, or the air gap and the drain pipe if you don't have a disposal. Clean and reinstall. While you have the hose off, run a wire coat hanger up the pipe of the air gap, where the hose is attach, to make sure it is clear.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Remove hose between the air gap and the disposal if you have one, or the air gap and the drain pipe if you don't have a disposal. Clean and reinstall. While you have the hose off, run a wire coat hanger up the pipe of the air gap, where the hose is attach, to make sure it is clear.

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Ok, it looks like the hose is quite a large black rubber one which connects the pipe from the dishwasher to air gap to disposal, if that makes sense. Please excuse me, I'm handy but don't know anything about electrics or plumbing and neither does my husband and I am just trying to save a repair bill. Thanks for your advice. I'll try it.

You are right on track.