Converting a portable to built in

[jessed]

Hello all it has been quite some time since I was on this site. I recently bought a portable Whirlpool dishwasher with the intent of converting it over to a built in model. I have found out that the conversion kit 569056 is no longer available. What all needs to be done to convert it over and what actually came in that kit?

It is a Whirlpool Power Clean Energy Saver dishwasher

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool!

My Aunt had the same exact model built in. It is really a great dishwasher!

 

[maytag85]

Long time no see, JesseD.

 

[combo52]

Converting an 80s whirlpool portable dishwasher to built-in

You don’t need the kit at all, you just remove the wheels remove the top and you hook it up with an inlet hose like a washing machine.

The conversion kit was just a short rubber hose for the hot water inlet, you cut the drain hose at The faucet coupler and use that drain hose you can plug the machine in if you like with an outlet under the sink the cabinet stays in place. The machine is about a half inch wider than a built-in model so it may not fit an existing built-in but you have to leave the cabinet on the machine you can cut a hole through the side of the cabinet to run the hoses if needed to connect under the kitchen sink.

These were very good dishwashers, but did not convert easily in some cases and other cases. It was simple because the cabinet made it nice if you were installing at the end of a counter, etc..

John

 

[jessed]

It will not fit with the cabinet on it and I cannot cut anymore to make room because I have plywood on both sides already.
With the cabinet off is there some way I could make a base that will support the dishwasher?
How was the frame on the non portable ones of the same line?

 

[combo52]

Hi Jesse, you would have to get a built-in dishwasher from the same era where it had a porcelain tank and you can unscrew the tank of the portable dishwasher and attach it to the frame from the built-in dishwasher, it’s possible I’ve never tried it, but instead of putting a frame on the porcelain tank, they used the cabinet of the portable to Support the tank and everything else.

So if you can find even a beat up porcelain tank, whirlpool or whirlpool built Kenmore dishwasher, you could do this and have the nice almost new tank and all from the portable dishwasher that you just found.

John

 

[jessed]

Hey guys just wanted to update you. I ended up making a frame out of 16ga steel and bending it in an L and making the frame.
Anyway I tested it when it was still a portable and no leaks now that it is installed there are leaks
Water is leaking out of the drain area and also the blocks that latch the motor assembly in are wet
Where could this be from?

Also door seal is shrinking but still seals but I would like a new one but don’t think it will be available

 

[combo52]

Can you post pictures of what you’ve done otherwise there’s not much we can do to help, John

 

[jessed]

Here are some photos of what I did. The circled area is where it leaks and the other is my framing

Also the door shuts hard and seems to hit on the hing area

 

[jessed]

This is the leak

 

[jessed]

And here

 

[combo52]

Water leak around pump on a whirlpool dishwasher

Hi Jesse, have you popped the pump assembly out and looked at the gasket you may be able to just reuse the gasket or you can replace it they’re still easily available.

Sometimes something that has sat this long the Gasket sometimes dries out and just taking it out and soaking in hot water and reinstalling it might work.

As far as the frame goes, I admire the amount of work and ingenuity you put into that. I personally would never try that it’s not that hard to find a built-in model and just take the frame from it. You may never get it right as far as getting the door to close, etc., that’s a tough thing to do.

John