Burning smell from dishwasher

[Amie D.]

Property manager says SFR tenants report dishwasher won't start and has a burning smell. He just wants to replace with new: $300 + install fee.

Is it worth getting a repairman in there to look at it or usually just replace. Dishwasher is probably 10 or so years old. Thanks!

[David Lee]

@Amie D.

I would not be so quick to buy a new one. I have had the same thing to happen twice and both times something had fell in the bottom and fell against the heating elemant and melted. Once it was a knife and it melted the handle and the next it was a medicine cup for a child.