Whirlpool Dishwasher Leaking Underneath? Float Gasket Replacement

My dishwasher started leaking again. This time I pulled it out, ran a cycle, and traced the water to the white plastic housing under the float assembly on a Whirlpool WDT975SAHZ0. A worn float switch base gasket was letting water through. Replacing it stopped the drips.

Watch the Video #

Quick Summary #

I supported the dishwasher on 2x4s and ran a wash cycle until water showed up under the front right corner. The drip was coming from the housing beneath the float. After disconnecting power and shutting off the water, I opened that housing, removed the float and plastic nut, cleaned the sealing surfaces, and installed a new flexible gasket. Once everything was back together, the float housing no longer dripped.

Whirlpool dishwasher pulled out and supported on 2x4s

Water dripping near the float switch can also come from somewhere else, so confirm the leak location before replacing the gasket.

Parts and Tools #

WP8531743 dishwasher float switch base gasket, compatible with this Whirlpool and select KitchenAid, Kenmore, Maytag, Jenn-Air, and Amana dishwashers
2x4s to support the dishwasher while you look underneath
Flat screwdriver, if the housing tabs are hard to release by hand

Check your complete model number against the product compatibility list before ordering. Repair steps can vary by model.

Before you start the repair, disconnect the power and turn off the water supply.

Find the Leak #

I pulled the dishwasher out from under the counter and supported it on 2x4s so I could see the underside. Then I ran a wash cycle.

After a couple of minutes, water was dripping from the white plastic housing near the front right corner. That housing sits beneath the float assembly.

Water dripping from the float switch housing under the Whirlpool dishwasher

Open the Float Switch Housing #

Open the door and remove the lower rack so you can see the tub floor. The float sits on the floor inside the dishwasher, toward the front.

Float on the floor inside the Whirlpool dishwasher

Reach underneath and gently release the tabs on the white plastic housing. You can use your fingers or a flat screwdriver. Open the cover so you can reach the mechanism.

Releasing the tabs on the Whirlpool float switch housing

Remove the Lever and Float #

Take out the small plastic lever. It transfers the movement of the float to the switch.

Removing the plastic lever that links the float to the switch

Release the lower end of the float stem. Gently move it toward the front of the dishwasher, then push it upward. You can then lift the float out from inside the tub.

Lifting the float out of the Whirlpool dishwasher

Remove the Housing and Old Gasket #

Unscrew the plastic nut from inside the tub, then remove the float housing from underneath.

Unscrewing the plastic nut that holds the float housing

The gasket seals the housing against the tub. A worn or hardened gasket can let water leak through. I replaced this one with a new flexible gasket.

Before installing it, clean the housing and the area around the opening. Remove any dirt or buildup so the gasket can sit flat.

Cleaned float opening in the Whirlpool dishwasher tub

Fit the new gasket onto the housing. The WP8531743 gasket listing is also where you can check model compatibility.

Fitting the new float switch base gasket onto the housing

Reassemble and Check for Leaks #

Insert the housing from underneath, then reinstall the plastic nut from inside the tub. Keep the gasket flat, and do not over-tighten the nut.

Put the float back in place. Underneath the dishwasher, reinstall the small plastic lever, close the housing cover, and make sure the tabs click into place.

That fixed the leak on mine. There were no more drips from the float housing.

Tips #

Run a cycle with the dishwasher pulled out before you take anything apart. The drip location tells you whether the float-base seal is the problem.
The gasket has to sit flat. Dirt around the opening, or a nut tightened too hard, can keep the new seal from working.
This repair is for a leak at the float-base seal. If the water is coming from another fitting or hose, a new gasket will not stop it.

Final Thoughts #

On this Whirlpool WDT975SAHZ0, the leak under the front right corner was the float switch base gasket. Opening the housing, cleaning the sealing surfaces, and fitting a new flexible gasket stopped the water from dripping out of the float housing.