Quick answer
Whirlpool dishwasher sump filter W11205078 is a model-specific replacement to consider when the filter is damaged. Confirm the part against the full model number. In the accumulator layout covered below, the racks, lower arm, filter cover, and supply tube come out before the filter lifts from its clips. Use its clip-mounted removal method.
Bits of grit on freshly washed glasses can send you straight to the filter. Whirlpool dishwasher sump filter W11205078 is one possible replacement, but is the fitted filter dirty, torn, or cracked? Cleaning residue and replacing damage are different repairs, so that distinction comes first.
Model fit matters just as much as the number on a part listing. This clip-mounted layout has its own access and mounting points. Below, you will find the symptoms, fit checks, cleaning choice, and replacement sequence, including careful reassembly. You will also see why changing a filter cannot solve every cause of gritty dishes or slow draining.
Quick Facts
Use these details to plan the work:
- Difficulty: Not specified; access includes racks, arm, cover, and tube
- Time: Not specified; allow time for careful reassembly
- Tools: Flat screwdriver for the clips; towels for water and removed parts
- Part cost: About $80 to $100 before tax and shipping
- Skill level: Not specified
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What Symptoms Mean the Whirlpool Dishwasher Sump Filter Needs Replacing?
A torn screen, cracked frame, or damaged mounting point can justify replacement. Grit, film, odor, or slow draining can also come from dirt on a sound filter, so those symptoms alone do not prove the part is broken.
Use the condition of the filter to separate cleaning from replacement.
| What You Find | Reasonable Next Choice |
|---|---|
| Food coating on intact mesh | Clean before buying a part |
| Odor with trapped food | Clean and check the wash result |
| Torn mesh or cracked frame | Confirm a replacement filter |
| Broken mounting clips | Replace the damaged part |
| Slow drain with a sound filter | Check the remaining drain path |
The sump is the low collection area beneath the wash system. A filter helps keep food out of that flow. Damage can let debris pass, while a heavy coating can restrict water even when the filter itself is sound.
Is W11205078 the Right Sump Filter for My Whirlpool Dishwasher?
The Whirlpool dishwasher sump filter W11205078 is an accumulator assembly, not a universal twist-out cylinder. It needs a full-model fit check. A similar appearance does not confirm the mounting design or the contents of a replacement package.
Confirm these points together.
- Full model number from the door-edge label
- Filter shape and mounting points
- Whether the listed part is the filter alone or an assembly
- Whether other filter pieces are separate parts
Keep all final letters and digits in the lookup.
Which Whirlpool Dishwasher Models Use Sump Filter W11205078?
A confirmed application is Maytag MDB4949SHZ0. Whirlpool is the service-part manufacturer, not a promise of fit across all Whirlpool models.
- Match the complete model and final revision digit
- W11205078 replaces accumulator W10591545
- Confirm the separate cover and mounting design
Use this procedure only when its clips, cover, and supply-tube connections match the actual dishwasher.
How Do I Remove and Clean the Whirlpool Dishwasher Sump Filter?
Follow these steps to clean a sound filter using the removal and installation method for the actual mounting design.
Remove, Rinse, and Reseat the Matching Filter
- Disconnect power and water before taking interior parts apart.
- Remove the filter using the clip-mounted sequence below when that layout matches your model.
- Rinse intact mesh with warm water and a soft brush, then wipe loose debris from the sump.
- Reinstall the filter and all removed parts using their correct clips and connections.
Do not force a clipped filter to rotate. A separate twist-lock cylinder and flat filter, when fitted on another design, need that model’s own removal method.
How to Replace Whirlpool Dishwasher Sump Filter W11205078 Step by Step
Follow these steps with power and water off for the clip-mounted layout described here.
Phase 1: Remove Both Racks and the Lower Spray Arm
- Pull out the upper rack without bending its hinges.
- Press the stopper tabs with a flat screwdriver and lift off both stoppers.
- Remove the lower rack and set the racks aside.
- Turn the lower arm’s lock nut counterclockwise and lift off the arm.
Phase 2: Release the Filter Cover and Water Supply Tube
- Release the housing-cover clips with a flat screwdriver and lift the cover.
- Press the upper and middle tube clips while drawing those sections outward.
- Release the lower tube’s sump clips.
- Remove the tube without breaking its clips.
- Lift the circular filter straight off its mounting clips.
Phase 3: Seat the New Filter on Its Mounting Clips
- Align the filter’s perimeter clips with the sump openings.
- Press down until the mounting tabs click.
- Check the seating and alignment.
Phase 4: Refit the Tube, Cover, Spray Arm, and Racks
- Refit tube sections from top to bottom and lock their clips.
- Press the housing lid down until all four clips engage.
- Refit the spray arm and tighten its nut clockwise.
- Refit the racks and check their travel and alignment.
Didn't fix it? Ask a technician on the AppliancePartsPros forum.
Post your model number, the symptom, and what you've already tried. Appliance techs and experienced DIYers answer for free, usually the same day.
Ask the forum →80,000+ solved repair threads · no account needed to readShould You Clean the Filter or Order a New One?
Clean an intact filter before replacing it for dirt alone. The Whirlpool dishwasher sump filter W11205078 is a better purchase when inspection confirms damage that cleaning cannot correct.
Compare the choices before ordering.
- Cleaning: No replacement-part cost, and useful for removable food buildup.
- New accumulator filter, about $80 to $100: Appropriate for torn mesh, a cracked body, or failed mounting points.
- Further diagnosis: Needed when grit remains with a clean, sound filter; spray-arm or chopper trouble may remain.
How often should you check it? Let the model’s care instructions and actual soil buildup guide cleaning. There is no reason to discard sound mesh solely because it has reached a certain age.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take to Replace the W11205078 Sump Filter?
Time depends on the mounting layout and the parts that block access. This procedure includes rack, arm, cover, and tube removal, rather than only a filter twist.
Can I Run the Dishwasher Without the Filter?
Do not leave a required filter out during normal washing. The wash system depends on the correct filter and its secure seating to manage debris.
Why Are Dishes Still Gritty After a New Filter?
A blocked spray arm, chopper fault, or another circulation problem may still be present. The new filter repairs its own function, not every part in the wash path.
Clear Water Through a Clean Sump
The Whirlpool dishwasher sump filter W11205078 should replace a confirmed damaged part on a matching model. Correct seating matters as much as choosing the right number.
Find the replacement sump filter for your full Whirlpool model number so trapped food does not keep spoiling the next wash.
Still stuck after this guide?
Two free options: post your model number and symptom on the forum, or search the model number in the shop to see every part that fits.
