Garbage disposal problem

[IaLeo]

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

 

[Gabby Hayes]

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.

 

[Cliff(VA)]

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)

 

[ss55]

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.

 

[RESLLS]

If you have a septic system, get rid of it.
If not, just replace it. Bearings in the
motor are probably junk.

 

[JMOR]

(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

f 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.

 

[JDBRIDER]

Have had a disposal with a septic system for 40 years. Replaced disposal once. No problem with the septic system.

 

[Steve@Advance]

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.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

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.

 

[JD Dave]

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.

 

[Janicholson]

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

 

[tech4]

I know you said the impellar moved, bot did you turn the motor shaft from the bottom with the Allen wrench tool?

 

[MJMJ]

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.

 

[Johnhof]

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.

 

[wjytexas]

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!

 

[1948CaseVAI]

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.

 

[steve_in_mo]

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!

 

[kencombs]

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.

 

[Stephen Newell]

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.

 

[47fivewindow]

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.