A couple KDS-20 questions

[kb0nes]

Annette's parents have a beautiful KDS-20 dishwasher that was installed in their home in the early 80's. It was seldom used until recently and now it is running a few cycles a week. All in all it is in wonderful condition.

The lower rack has some damage to the coating and it is now rusting badly in a few spots. It was repaired in a couple areas years ago, but at this point it is really beyond repair. So I am looking for a suitable decent condition lower rack for the KDS-20. Are there any other models that would be usable substitutions?

Also just recently we have been hearing a lot of water hammer from the plumbing when the fill valve cycles. Is it common for these valves to get more abrupt creating more trouble in this regard? I suppose its possible that a strap clamp on the plumbing could have let go and now the line in the floor is unsupported (hoping this isn't the case!).

 

[whirlykenmore78]

As far as the rack issue.

Pretty much any lower rack from any KD-18 through KD-23 will work.

As far as the water hammer when the fill cycles I would imagine this has more to do with the plumbing than the dishwasher. The solenoid valve does not make the hammering noise, it just opens and closes. If the fill valve was the problem you would likely hear a loud buzzing sound from the bottom left corner of the machine. You would also likely not be getting enough water. The hammering is in the plumbing going to the machine. I worked in the college dishroom during culinary school and when I would fill the tanks in the big conveyor DW in the morning the pipes would bang like hell when those fill valves closed.
I hope this helps Phil.
WK78

 

[kb0nes]

Hey Nick,

Thanks for that, was unsure of the differences in the racks from various models, I assumed some will interchange. Are some racks more fully featured etc?

The reason I asked about the fill valve and water hammer is that it has worked flawlessly for nearly 30 years, the hammer started abruptly last week. So either the valve is somehow closing differently, or a plumbing clamp came loose allowing the pipe in the floor to bounce around. More investigation in needed!

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Phil

There are very few features in the lower rack that changed with the series revisions. The 2 notable ones would be the flatware rack and the removable China Caddy from the left side which loads front to back. I find both of those items to be inconsequential. However if you go for a newer 22-23 rack they have an extra ball of metal and nylon at the tip of each tine. Also the right side tines on this series of racking are spaced wider, reducing the likelihood of a bent tine when loading large items. Let me talk to a couple of appliance guys I know here in the Burnsville area and I'm sure I can find you a rack.
WK78

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Phil;

Here is a link to the correct type of rack for your machine on Ebay. Another option would be to look locally @ places like Appliance Depot or Certified Appliance Recycling.
WK78

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kitchen-Aid...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item1e86d08670

 

[sjpitts]

I also have a KDS-20 dishwasher in need of new racks. In my case the top rack is actually in worse condition. Do top racks from KD-18 through KD-23 also work in the KDS-20? Or is there a different range for top racks?

thanks

 

[stevet]

check twice, make a fool of myself once!

Jared,
As stated above, any lower rack from the 18 thru 23 will fit any of those models as they did not really have any special features except for the lift out section on the left side that showed up on the 22 series.
The top racks are all the same except the early 18 series because they had the smaller wash arm. The larger wash arm appeared with the 19 series and stayed thru the end. There were some models that had a plastic arm and were minus the China Guard so you may want to be aware of that and others had the metal arm and still no China Guard!

I have a 23 series I just picked up and will check and report back when I get home because that series had a different rail setup for the rack rollers. More like the whirlpool rack support so I would want to be sure before committing to saying it will work.

 

[stevet]

The truth be told!

Okay, I just checked the 23 upper rack and yes, it IS different from the earlier versions in that the wheels and tracks ARE different from its predecessors.

However, the mounting points are in the same locations on the rack as the earlier ones as the rack is actually the same physically. So you should be able to readily swap out a 23 rack with your 20 rack. Just remount it on your current supports.
Of course you will want to look for one that has the drop down flex-o-dividers but even the racks with the stationary tines will fit and can at least adjust up and down like your original one does.
Hope this helps
Steve

 

[combo52]

Larger Top Wash Arm

From 19 and later DWs will fit the 18s top rack just fine or if you find a perfect orignal top rack from a 18 you can install the larger top WA on it from your later DW.