Miele G7106SCU (AutoDos) – Circulation pump bearing noise Repair Guide

by

Model: Miele G7106SCU (AutoDos)
Brand: Miele
Model Number: G7106SCU

🔍 Problem Description

Replace pump assembly (expensive repair); check for debris

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Circulation pump assembly

    • 🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

      🔧 Step 1: Listen for bearing noise from circulation pump

      1. Empty the dishwasher completely and remove all dish racks by lifting them straight up and out.
      2. Remove the lower spray arm by grasping it firmly and rotating it counterclockwise approximately 1/4 turn, then lifting upward to disengage it from the center mount.
      3. Unscrew the spray arm support using your fingers by turning the white plastic hub counterclockwise 3-4 full rotations until it lifts free from the sump cover.
      4. Locate the fine filter assembly in the center bottom of the tub—it’s a circular mesh screen approximately 5 inches in diameter surrounded by a gray plastic frame.
      5. Lift the fine filter straight up to remove it, exposing the stainless steel sump cover beneath.
      6. Clear your work area of any debris or water to minimize background noise.
      7. Close the dishwasher door and press the On/Off button located on the top edge of the door to power on the unit.
      8. Select any wash cycle by pressing the program button repeatedly—the “Normal” cycle works well for this diagnostic test.
      9. Press the Start button and immediately open the door approximately 2 inches within the first 10 seconds to activate the pump without engaging the full wash cycle.
      10. Listen carefully for grinding, squealing, or rumbling sounds coming from the center bottom area where you removed the filter—these indicate worn bearings in the circulation pump.
      11. Normal operation produces a smooth humming sound at approximately 60-65 decibels with minimal vibration.
      12. Defective bearings produce a grinding noise similar to gravel in a blender, often accompanied by a metallic scraping sound that varies in pitch.
      13. Press On/Off to stop the cycle after listening for 15-20 seconds.
      14. If bearing noise is confirmed, proceed to Step 2 for pump removal and replacement.

      🛠️ Step 2: Check pump for debris or obstructions

      1. Open the dishwasher door fully and remove the lower dish rack by lifting it straight up and out.
      2. Locate the circular filter assembly in the center of the tub floor—it’s approximately 6 inches in diameter with a cylindrical mesh screen visible.
      3. Grasp the cylindrical filter screen and turn it counterclockwise 90 degrees, then lift straight up to remove it.
      4. Remove the flat fine filter screen underneath by lifting it straight up—this is the circular piece approximately 8 inches in diameter with fine mesh.
      5. Locate the white or gray pump cover directly beneath where the filters were positioned—it’s a circular housing approximately 4 inches in diameter with a raised center section.
      6. Turn the pump cover counterclockwise 45 degrees and lift straight up to remove it.
      7. Look inside the pump chamber—you’ll see a white or gray impeller with curved blades at the bottom of the opening, approximately 2 inches deep.
      8. Use your fingers to reach into the pump chamber and feel around the impeller blades for any debris, including glass shards, bones, toothpicks, fruit pits, labels, or broken dish fragments.
      9. Remove all debris found—the impeller should spin freely when you rotate it with your finger in a clockwise direction.
      10. Check the opening around the perimeter of the pump chamber where the housing meets the sump—food particles and grease commonly accumulate in this gap.
      11. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe clean the pump chamber interior, removing any slimy buildup or small particles.
      12. Inspect the pump cover you removed in step 6 for cracks or damage to the seal on its underside—the rubber gasket should be intact with no tears or gaps.
      13. Verify the impeller now rotates smoothly with no grinding sounds or resistance when turned manually.

      ⚙️ Step 3: Inspect pump bearings for wear

      1. Grip the circulation pump impeller housing (the cylindrical section approximately 3 inches in diameter at the pump’s center) with your left hand to stabilize it.
      2. Use your right hand to grasp the impeller shaft protruding from the bottom of the pump housing, approximately 1 inch below the motor housing.
      3. Push the shaft upward with 5-10 pounds of force, then pull it downward with the same force, repeating this motion 3-4 times while noting any vertical movement greater than 1-2 millimeters indicates worn bearings.
      4. Hold the shaft steady and attempt to rock it side-to-side in a north-south direction, then east-west direction, applying moderate pressure – any lateral movement exceeding 1 millimeter signals bearing wear.
      5. Rotate the impeller shaft slowly by hand through 5 complete clockwise rotations, feeling for grinding sensations, catching points, or rough spots that indicate bearing deterioration.
      6. Place your ear within 6 inches of the pump motor housing and spin the shaft again – listen for grinding, squealing, or rumbling sounds rather than smooth, quiet rotation.
      7. Examine the seal area where the shaft enters the pump housing (bottom of the motor assembly) for white calcium deposits, rust staining, or moisture – any wetness indicates seal failure often caused by worn bearings.
      8. Check for a dark brown or black residue around the shaft seal area, which indicates bearing grease that has liquefied and leaked out due to overheating from worn bearings.
      9. Inspect the shaft itself for vertical scoring marks, rough patches, or discoloration – a properly functioning shaft appears smooth and uniformly metallic.
      10. If you detected movement exceeding 1mm in any direction, heard grinding noises, found moisture at the seal, or felt rough rotation, the bearing assembly (Miele part number 6239560) requires replacement, necessitating pump removal and disassembly.

      🔩 Step 4: Test pump operation

      1. Locate the circulation pump, which is a silver cylindrical component approximately 4 inches in diameter mounted on the left side of the sump assembly at the dishwasher’s base.
      2. Trace the wiring harness from the pump motor to identify the connector – a white rectangular plug with 2 wires (brown and blue) located 3 inches above the pump body.
      3. Press the power button on the control panel to turn the dishwasher on while the door remains open.
      4. Select the “Normal” cycle by pressing the program button twice – the corresponding LED will illuminate.
      5. Press and hold the “Start” button for 3 seconds, then close the door within 4 seconds to initiate the cycle.
      6. Open the door after 10 seconds – you should hear the circulation pump motor humming at approximately 60 decibels.
      7. Place your hand on the pump housing – you should feel distinct vibration indicating the impeller is attempting to spin.
      8. Look through the filter opening in the sump – you should see water beginning to circulate if the pump is functioning correctly, creating visible swirling motion.
      9. Press the power button to stop the cycle after 30 seconds of observation.
      10. If you heard the motor hum but saw no water movement, the pump impeller is likely jammed or the pump housing has internal blockage requiring pump replacement (Miele part number 10348363).
      11. If the motor made no sound and you felt no vibration, verify 120V AC power is reaching the pump connector using a multimeter set to AC voltage mode with probes inserted into the connector’s wire channels.
      12. A reading of 118-122V AC indicates proper power supply; zero voltage indicates a control board or wiring harness fault upstream from the pump.

      đź“‹ Step 5: Replace circulation pump assembly if bearings are worn

      1. Turn off power at the circuit breaker and close the water supply valve located under the sink or at the wall connection.
      2. Remove the lower spray arm by pulling it straight up off the mounting hub in the center of the tub floor.
      3. Remove the mesh filter cover by rotating it counterclockwise 90 degrees, then lift straight up.
      4. Unscrew the 4 Torx T20 screws securing the sump cover (the circular stainless steel plate at the bottom center of the tub). Lift the cover and attached filter assembly straight up and set aside.
      5. Locate the circulation pump assembly directly below the sump opening—a cylindrical gray housing approximately 5 inches in diameter.
      6. Disconnect the white electrical connector from the pump motor by pressing the release tab on the right side while pulling the connector straight back.
      7. Use a 10mm socket wrench to loosen the inlet hose clamp on the left side of the pump housing. Rotate the clamp 180 degrees away from the connection point.
      8. Pull the ribbed inlet hose off the pump barb fitting with a twisting motion.
      9. Remove the 3 Phillips-head screws (#2) securing the pump mounting bracket to the tub base—one at 12 o’clock, one at 4 o’clock, and one at 8 o’clock positions.
      10. Rotate the entire pump assembly 15 degrees counterclockwise to disengage the outlet spout from the heating element housing, then lower the pump down and out.
      11. Position the new pump assembly (part number 10348660) with the outlet spout aligned with the heating element opening, lift into place, and rotate 15 degrees clockwise until it seats fully—you’ll feel it lock into position.
      12. Install the 3 mounting screws and tighten to finger-tight plus one-quarter turn.
      13. Push the inlet hose onto the barb fitting until it bottoms out (approximately 1.5 inches), then slide the clamp back into position 0.5 inches from the hose end.
      14. Reconnect the electrical connector—it will click when fully seated.
      15. Reinstall the sump cover, filter assembly, and spray arm in reverse order.

      đź›’ Recommended Products

      Here are the recommended products for this repair: