CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN HOW THIS

[rollermatic]

rubber coupler for my hotpoint dishwasher grew in size/ now it won't fit!

several weeks ago i started tearing into a hotpoint dishwasher. i took the motor and pump off and began working on both the motor and the bottom of the tub where it attaches.

motor cleaned up great, seal looks good, and bearings are no longer frozen. it runs very quietly.

bottom of tub is coming along fine. not done yet but i know wwhat i have to do to reinforce and repair the rusted areas so it will hold the motor again.

the problem is the rubber boot that attaches the motor to the tub has grown in size since it took it off! i did nothing to it but remove it, clean it up with soap and water and set it aside. these pics will explain!

the diameter of the tub flange is 5 inches. the diameter of the motor pump housing is also 5 inches. the rubber boot now is almost 6 inches in diameter and will never fit!

i have no explanation for this other than a poltergeist playing games with me. why would a thick rubber seal grow almost an inch in diameter?

thanks!

 

[rollermatic]

and no,

i did NOT rub it with viagara!

 

[rollermatic]

ANY COMMENTS

here on what will be the best sealant to use on this rubber boot when i cut it to get it to fit again? i've read that jb weld is not good on rubber peices. silicone maybe?

 

[thatwasherguy]

Huh, that is strange.

The only theory I can think of is that there is something in the soap that caused a chemical reaction with the rubber. As far as re-sealing it, I would probably go with some RTV gasket maker. I used this on the tub cover seal on my 1978 Maytag washer to stop it from leaking where I patched a rust hole in the outer tub with JB water weld.
Hope this helps,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[stevet]

Try a plumbing supply house

If this coupling does not have to support the weight of the pump, you might try a Fernco coupling that fits over the motor and can affect a seal for you. Since they make them to go over the hubs on old cast-iron drainpipes, you may find one that you can cut to fit and make the seal. Take the pump with you so you can check for proper fit.
Also, if you have a store that sells hoses and fittings, they may have something you can use as well.

 

[rollermatic]

it does support the motor

to the frame of the dishwasher.

i work at home depot part time as a bookkeeper and plumbing guy and i checked our ferncos but the largest we stock in the store is 4". i might look on line.

for right now i put the rubber boot in the freezer, not expecting any miracles but i will check it tonite when i get home. maybe it will shrink!

i have two more of these hotpoints that use the same motor and pump and i know now when i take them apart not to touch the rubber boot at all, no washing!

when i get the bottom of the tub ready i think i will simply cut this boot to fit exactly around the tub mount and the motor and use either a silicone adhesive on it or as "thatwasherguy" suggested above use an rtv cement on the seam and maybe on the entire boot.

this dishwasher will not be used hardly at all, I'm fixing it as a novelty machine as i am putting plexiglass on the front to see the wash action inside. after every use i will drain all water out of drain hose and pump sump area.

i hope to post a video of it's wash action when i'm done. i've never seen any videos of these hotpoints that were so common in the 60's and 70's. they weren't that great but this was the first dishwasher i ever saw in someone's house and the first machine i ever brought home to work on.

it was in such bad shape when i got it i want to get it running again just so i can say i did it!

thanks for the comments and suggestions to both of you!

 

[vegabass25]

Try placing the gasket in boiling water for about 15 mins, and then drying it nice and hot (but carefully) with a heat gun or decent hair dryer. Worked well for me many many times on carb bowl seals and thermostat gaskets when they swell up way too large after getting cleaner on them. I've also had luck just leaving them on a dark surface in the hot sun for a few days. Be careful, hard to say what it's made of.

 

[combo52]

Highpoint dishwasher motor support collar

Hi Peter, you can probably find some 5 inch rubber hose that should work. Also, your idea of cutting it and gluing it back together. Would also work. I would just use a better glue like 3M marine sealant. It’s far better than RTV for this type of use, marine sealant is amazing.

I’ll try to look around and see if I have any of these collars around any longer. I think I still have a brand new motor and pump assembly for one of these dishwashers, we do have one of these dishwashers in our museum that is virtually unused., It’ll be interesting to see how this one works out for you. I’ve always thought this was a cool dishwasher to keep because of the unusual design of it..

John L

 

[rollermatic]

thanks combo

for the tip on the marine sealant, i will use it.

also if you do have a pump and motor assembly or just a motor and/or pump i will definately buy these parts from you if you wish to part with them. or even a rubber collar.

for some reason i just love these old machines by hotpoint! probably again due that it was the first dishwasher i ever saw in action and the first one i got from the garbage to fix up.

i remember i was about 13 and had it in the backyard at first, then moving it to the basement to work on. i accidentally fried the motor start windings and had to get a new motor as well as quite a few other parts i broke! there was a g.e. parts center not far from our house i would walk to frequently! i recall they called the motor a "power pack". not sure where i got the money to buy this stuff! we were poor!

excited to see how it washes viewed thru a plexiglass front. and let me know please about those parts! thx!