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Garbage disposal problem

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IaLeo

11-20-2023 10:21:37




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I have an Insinkerator garbage disposer that has served well for twenty years. Most of our food waste goes to compost, but now the thing just "humms" and trips the overload button.

The impellar appears not jammed as it can be rotated, but never spins freely.

I looked for a starting capacitor or centrifugal switch but the very small opening only showed the electrical connection.

I am not very capable of laying on my back working over my head in a cramped space as I once was able to, so if I call for repair help, the trip costs probably justifies a new unit installation even if this one is fixable.

So what would cause the humming and not startint? Leo

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J.Wondergem

11-25-2023 08:34:18




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
I replaced ours when the old one went out. Replaced it with one from Sears in 1987, still runs today.



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Stephen Newell

11-21-2023 15:33:40




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
If you are not capable to work on your back in cramped spaces you might consider having someone install a new one for you. They aren't easy to change out. I do it for customers but I really hate that job.



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1948CaseVAI

11-21-2023 08:14:02




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
At 20 years it is at end of life. Replace it with a new one that as a bonus will have sharp blades, run quieter and do a better job of pulverizing waste.



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MJMJ

11-20-2023 17:16:11




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
A new Insinkerator will fit right in the existing twist lock. They re pretty much plug and play. Unhook wires to broken one, twist and remove old disposal, twist in new one rewire and you re done.



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steve_in_mo

11-21-2023 10:11:00




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to MJMJ, 11-20-2023 17:16:11  
Turn off the power at the breaker, then make the next replacement easier by cutting the wires to the current disposer and adding an electrical box with outlets on the wall where the wiring for the disposer comes out.

Prewire the new disposer with an appliance cord. Drop the old disposer and compare the mounting on the old disposer and the sink drain to the new unit. If there are leaks, replace the sink drain and/or install new putty and washer.

If you have room, use a small floor jack to lift the new disposer and hold it while you tighten the mounting bits. A Phillips screwdriver works well for leverage - much better than a hammer.

Plug in your new disposer and turn on the power before you put tools away.

I've done all these things the wrong way a few times. Good luck!

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kencombs

11-21-2023 10:35:12




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to steve_in_mo, 11-21-2023 10:11:00  
I've found that the best tool for locking those things in place is the little wrench they provide to unjam them. The bends are almost always more convenient than any straight tool.



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wjytexas

11-21-2023 06:35:17




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to MJMJ, 11-20-2023 17:16:11  
But if you have a dishwasher connected to the disposer be sure and knock out the plug before attaching the DW drain hose. Ask me how I know!



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tech4

11-20-2023 17:09:12




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
I know you said the impellar moved, bot did you turn the motor shaft from the bottom with the Allen wrench tool?



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Janicholson

11-20-2023 16:04:25




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
They usually can be removed with a ring lock that can be driven with a punch or dull chisel. if lauing down to do that is not happening, a friend might do it easily so you can check it out on a bench. Jim



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JD Dave

11-20-2023 15:52:04




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
Even the best quality disposers will fail. I had to replace my original at about 15 years and the new one is still fine after 20 years, - so, go figure. A disposer is fine on a septic system if you're carefull and don't feed it constantly with excessive fiber.



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Geo-TH,In

11-20-2023 15:24:16




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
I cut off the 90 degree angle on the Allen wrench
and it fit perfectly in my 1/4 inch Dewalt impact. The impact broke loose my frozen disposal.

20 years is a long time for a disposal.



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Steve@Advance

11-20-2023 15:19:21




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
At 20 years old, it has served its life.

I recently replaced mine because it started leaking out the bottom. It was a cheap one I put in about 15 years ago.

I decided to step up to a more expensive one, and glad I did! It is so quiet it can hardly be heard, even when grinding it is much quieter than the cheap one. It was not the most expensive, but about mid range.



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JMOR

11-20-2023 12:58:06




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
Quote: IaLeo (quoted from post at 14:21:37 11/20/23) I have an Insinkerator garbage disposer that has served well for twenty years. Most of our food waste goes to compost, but now the thing just "humms" and trips the overload button.

The impellar appears not jammed as it can be rotated, but never spins freely.

I looked for a starting capacitor or centrifugal switch but the very small opening only showed the electrical connection.

I am not very capable of laying on my back working over my head in a cramped space as I once was able to, so if I call for repair help, the trip costs probably justifies a new unit installation even if this one is fixable.

So what would cause the humming and not startint? Leo
If you pay someone to fix it, that will cost more than a new one. It very likely has a capacitor inside, as it needs some starting torque for those folks that load it up before starting it. Oh, and you might isolate to a starting problem by using a disposable stick to try spinning it with power on. If it takes off, there is your problem.
This post was edited by JMOR on 11/20/2023 at 01:00 pm.

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RESLLS

11-20-2023 12:18:23




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
If you have a septic system, get rid of it. If not, just replace it. Bearings in the motor are probably junk.



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JDBRIDER

11-20-2023 15:03:14




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to RESLLS, 11-20-2023 12:18:23  
Have had a disposal with a septic system for 40 years. Replaced disposal once. No problem with the septic system.



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Johnhof

11-20-2023 20:21:47




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to JDBRIDER, 11-20-2023 15:03:14  
Same here septic's fine after 55 years. Most likely leaky seal to bearings. Even if you twist it free with the wrench its still seen better days.



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ss55

11-20-2023 11:33:28




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
The top seal could be leaking moisture and sludge into the top bearing, causing it to rust and bind. At twenty years it is overdue for replacement, the next weakest part may be ready to fail too.



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Cliff(VA)

11-20-2023 11:06:46




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
Had the same problem. Tried tinkering with it to see if I could fix it. In the end I just bought a new one.

The new one will come with sharp blades, and that really makes a difference.

HTH,

Cliff(VA) now (NC)



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Gabby Hayes

11-20-2023 10:31:20




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to IaLeo, 11-20-2023 10:21:37  
We replaced ours once a few years back and when the new one went bad we had a plumber come out. He suggested we take it out and just put a drain in. He stated that most people living in the country don't have one. We haven't had an ounce of trouble since removing it.
I would recommend you do the same.



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47fivewindow

11-24-2023 17:16:02




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 Re: Garbage disposal problem in reply to Gabby Hayes, 11-20-2023 10:31:20  

We compost everything most folks grind. It take a while to become a habit, throwing waste in a big jar, but the upside is a better garden. Your plumber will hate this advice.



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