A Bosch dishwasher leak traced to the diverter motor
A recent job in the Los Angeles area, August 2026. With the base open, the water led to the diverter motor under the tub.
In this guide
The leak
A Bosch dishwasher was leaking. We opened up the base underneath the tub, and the water was coming from the diverter motor.
We replaced the diverter motor. The leak stopped, and the dishwasher works normally.
What the photo shows
The photo at the top of this page is the base of the dishwasher, opened from below. The gray drum at the top is the pump under the tub’s sump, with corrugated hoses running off to the left and wiring across the middle. In the center of the base pan is a round float, part of the leak protection: when water collects in the pan, the float rises and the dishwasher stops. You can see stains on the pan around it. The round gray part in my glove is the diverter assembly.
What the diverter does
The pump pushes water up from the bottom of the tub, and the diverter decides where it goes: the lower spray arm or the upper one. A small motor turns the diverter between positions as the cycle runs.
The diverter sits under the tub, and the water it handles passes through it. When its seal or housing lets go, water drips into the base pan instead of staying in the tub. On a Bosch, enough water in the pan lifts that float, and the dishwasher stops and pumps out. Many models show E15 when that happens; our page on Bosch error E15 explains the code.
What you can check
Use dishwasher detergent only. Bosch warns that hand dish soap can damage the appliance, and the suds it makes can push water out past the door.
Look over the door seal for a tear or stuck food, and check that the dishwasher closes and latches cleanly.
If the display shows E15, or you find water under the dishwasher, turn it off and close the water valve under the sink. Running more cycles only puts more water in the base.
Past that point it’s a technician job. Getting to the diverter means draining the dishwasher, disconnecting it and opening the base from below.
Bosch dishwasher repair in Los Angeles
We repair Bosch dishwashers across the Westside, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. The $85 service call is credited toward the repair if you go ahead, and repairs carry a 30-day labor and 90-day parts warranty. CA BEAR registered (#A 50636). Book a dishwasher repair or call (213) 205-2055. For the codes your Bosch can show, see our Bosch dishwasher error codes guide.
FAQ
Why is my Bosch dishwasher leaking from underneath?
Water under a dishwasher can come from the door seal, a loose hose connection, a pump or diverter seal, or suds pushed out by the wrong detergent. On this Bosch the water was coming from the diverter motor under the tub.
What does the diverter motor do on a Bosch dishwasher?
It switches where the water goes. The pump pushes water up from the bottom of the tub, and the diverter sends it to the lower spray arm or the upper one during the cycle.
What does E15 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
On many Bosch models, E15 means the leak protection has found water in the base pan. A float in the pan rises, the dishwasher stops washing and runs its drain pump. The water has to be traced to its source before the dishwasher is used again.
Is it safe to keep using a leaking dishwasher?
No. Water in the base can reach the wiring and the floor. Turn the dishwasher off, close the water valve under the sink, wipe up what you can and call.
Do you repair Bosch dishwashers in Los Angeles?
Yes, across the Westside, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. The $85 service call is credited toward the repair if you go ahead, and repairs carry a 30-day labor and 90-day parts warranty.
Got an appliance that needs fixing? We cover LA and the Valley.
Call (213) 205-2055 or text a photo of your appliance.