cleaning parts-dishwasher safe or not?

[RobMatthews]

I have access to an old but working dishwasher about to go to the dump....

Are things like housings and end/middle plates safe to wash/clean in the dishwasher? or is there a possibility it will ruin the parts?
Or does it just not work?

[TopGear]

I wouldnt see it being a problem but you would have to fill with a water based solvant

[philiwily]

I would still clean with a degreaser first (gunk) then use the dishwasher to clean that off and give it a nice finish.  
If you use a water based degreaser straight in the dishwasher you run the risk of it becoming a soap making machine.
And get some wd40 on housings and plates straight away.

Phil

[BinoX]

A couple of months ago I washed a very scored housing in my own dishwasher (as in the one I use for dishes) to see how it went... it did an excellent job of cleaning it and didn\'t leave any marks or scratches anywhere. I sprayed some WD40 on it afterwards and it all seems fine. (I\'m going to be using it to make a rotary display once I get my hands on an old busted rotor and shaft)

[shaunwil]

Turn off the dish drying option for any plastic parts. It warms the plates up to a silly temp to basically steam the plates dry !

Only know this from using a dish washer for de-oiling bowling balls !

Shaun