After months of helpful suggestions I finally acquiesced and delivered a brand new Whirlpool Quiet Partner III home. The old dishwasher still worked, but was 20+ years old and just not getting the job done like it used to. A wash cycle took nearly four hours, and a conversation or watching TV while she was running, forget it. And we can also say she wasn't adding much charm to the kitchen with her good looks. I spent a rainy afternoon yesterday teaching myself how to install a dishwasher, and after a couple minor oops and a couple more trips to the hardware store the QPIII is running like a champ.
For Sale: One gently used Whirlpool dishwasher. Runs great. Black. Has all plumbing, ready to install. Free, you haul.