Converting whirlpool dishwasher wash system to tower style

[maytaga806]

Hello all, I am thinking about converting my dishwashers system to the more I suppose basic tower powerclean/ultrawash design. Not for a permanent change, but just to see how it works. I know I need the tower, upper arm, spray arm rubber black cap for the upper feed, & finally the pump outlet.

I do know they made a few different version pump outlets for different model years, so if anyone knows would this pump outlet fit my dishwasher on this ebay listing if I were to convert it? Just want to make sure my arm with the plastic cover plate and all will fit correctly. Photos of my machine will be below, just the most recent version of the powerclean, 5 level.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenmore-Dishwasher-Outlet-Pump-3376844/283903885113?epid=1651918039&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item4219fd7f39:g:JY4AAOSwHH5e2uQp&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickk7PdDazAlGltMLJlUhrWsD592mVRLe9q

 

[cam2s]

The part number is WP3376844. The link is for a new part on Sears part direct.

Outlet Pump 3376844 parts | Sears PartsDirect

Outlet Pump 3376844 (replaced by WP3376844) parts - manufacturer-approved parts for a proper fit every time! We also have installation guides, diagrams and manuals to help you along the way!

www.searspartsdirect.com

 

[cam2s]

Also here's a link to the Service manual...the models listed in it are a little older but it is the same module as what is in yours.

https://applianceassistant.com/ServiceManuals/4322451l_kd-11_whirlpool_1998_power_clean_filter_dishwasher.pdf

 

[maytaga806]

Thank you....

I already have the seal and the one in the ebay listing is the same exact one, same part number. So I will order. But I cannot find a upper spray arm anywhere for purchase but I remembered GE sold a version for a while that was similar to the powerclean tower style, would this arm work do you think instead of finding a Whirlpool model one? It snaps onto the rack and has the funnel at the bottom as you can see.

 

[cam2s]

The part number is 8268829. This really will turn into a Frankenpool lol. I would probably be more worried about mounting it to the rack, there probably are differences there. Also worth noting that the whirlpool arm had a self centering funnel to catch the full force of the stream of water, and that the PC probably moves a lot more water than the GE pump did. I'm sure if you keep digging one will show up.

 

[maytaga806]

Thought it may took longer...

But I did find the actual spray arm with the correct model number, bought from certified parts online. In which it’s the color I wanted to match, so all the parts are currently on order for what I need to make this conversion happen! Thanks much for the provided information here, I’m excited to see how this works as I do have a camera I can use inside the machine as long as it’s contained dry by a jar & clear plastic ziplock. So stay tuned for the results!

 

[dustin92]

Having owned and used both style machines, I cannot begin to imagine why you would want the wash tower in the lower rack! You get the same, if not better performance with the feed tube system, and no lost space in the lower rack.

 

[maytaga806]

Because I think it’s more interesting, just something I’ve always wanted. And since the machine I have is convertible why not do it, i can switch back at anytime. I love the 5 level powerclean which it already is, but I’ve always wanted the tower system.

 

[combo52]

WP PC DW Tower Wash System Vs Rear Feed

The tower wash feed was a perfect design for function and simplicity. 

 

It worked at least as well as the rear feed tub and did not suffer the failures of the rear feed system, Including 

 

Top  wash arm bearing failures, 

 

Dislodged support hanger that interfered with arm rotation.

 

Both are great systems, but I will never switch to the rear feed on our 2 WP PC DWs, when I want to wash something huge in the lower rack I just remove the lower rack feed tube.

 

John L.

 

[maytaga806]

There are so many items I try to load in the bottom rack, and when I go to roll the lower rack back in whatever’s I may have like plates or a lid ect will hit the feed supply on the back wall where it connects to the upper rack and it’s just honestly so annoying, I’ve been dealing with that for years because my Maytag at my other house has the same upper wash arm as my 2001 5 level accuwash with the feed tube, the tower style as Combo said doesn’t clean any worse. The only thing I’ll be missing is the roof shower spray, which isn’t a big deal to me because at any point I’ll have the parts to switch it back over to the feed supply system.

Parts are on they’re way, finding a upper spray arm in grayish white was extremely hard. Nobody had them in stock, even on eBay. There was one for sale on eBay but it was missing the the clips that hold the arm onto the rack. But finally I did find one that’s used for sale so it’s on the way, plus the correct pump outlet, tower for the rack, and black rubber cap for the lower arm. I’ve always been intrigued by the 3 level powerclean design, so that’s why I’m converting over to it as I just think it’s way more interesting than the direct feed 5 level which I have, I’ve always wanted a tower 3 level.

This has been my dream dishwasher for a long time, my most modern dream dishwasher would probably be a 3rd row stainless steel Whirlpool with hidden controls, they’ve gotten amazing reviews and both arms operate at once every cycle instead of the other ones where the bottom runs for a whole, then the top. I hate that. But my main dream machine I’ve wanted for years was the final production models of the 3 level powerclean or ultrawash design, and this one was perfect. Stainless exterior and white on the inside with the 3 level tower system. Of course I could get a older Whirlpool gold with the 5 level powerclean system which there were very few and rare models, but it featured a stainless interior which looked amazing. There were many Durawash models that had a very similar almost identical exterior than the one in the pic, but the one in the pic was truly a 3 level and it was the nicest of them there was besides the White edition series in the 90s by Whirlpool. They were all amazing machines.

 

[cam2s]

I didn’t really notice any difference in performance between the two when I did it. I know it seems kinda a downgrade but I just wanted to see if it was possible and if there would be a difference in washability. I know some members hate the lower tower but I never had an issue loading around it. The largest pot I have still fits in the corner of the rack just fine and i wouldn’t put anything dead center in the lower rack anyways. If anything I found that the feed for the constant rinse in the upper rack got in the way a few times. On the direct feed middle arm they did angle one of the jets so it pretty much shoots right into the middle so you could load stuff there with no washability issues.

Yours will still be a 5 level system with the tower. The 2nd revision powerclean with the filter under the wash arm has spray jets that back wash the filter which is level 1, plus the jets shooting up from the lower wash arm ( level 2) the jets underneath the upper wash arm for the silverware basket (level 3) the jets shooting up from the upper wash arm (level 4) and the roof deflector (level 5).

Did whirlpool ever sell a stainless steel tank powerclean system under the Whirlpool Gold label? I know they where sold under the KitchenAid label, not sure about the UltraWash label. One of the members here has the TOL Gold powerclean and it is a plastic tub model.

 

[maytaga806]

Gotcha thanks for the information, yes they did! I was watching this repair video a few days ago, and featured an older unit Whirlpool. When he opened the door of the machine I was like WTF IS THAT?? It was the powerclean/ ultrawash design, but all stainless steel inside. This model in the video is clearly a Kenmore, but has a stainless interior. Never heard of that until I came across this video lol. Guess they were rare Ultrawash’s . Obviously removing the arm is the easiest thing you could do, and I tapped on the video to see more of the machine itself and was very surprised.

 

[combo52]

Whirlpool PC DWs

Whirlpool never had a SS interior on their PC models, They were sold under the Kenmore and Kitchenaid names however.

 

I would not count the jets on the bottom of the lower wash arm as a washing level as they do not help wash any of the dish load.

 

John L.

 

[maytaga806]

Combo52...

I emailed you regarding a spray arm for the 3 level powerclean/ultrawash system.

Yeah, that was only branded by Kenmore & KA because of theyre slightly more “High End” manufacturing is supposed.

These attachments show the difference between the Direct Feed VS tower wash system, as far as “levels” go.

 

[cam2s]

I think the difference between the 3 and the 5 level was mostly in marketing. The middle arm in both systems sprays down which they count as a level in the 5 picture but not the 3 picture. Also the three level picture is of the first powerclean design without the filter on top. The 3 level one does not have holes under the wash arm but the 5 level one does, but as noted they back wash the filter and don’t wash any dishes. Also of note they are shown in the wrong location in the picture...they are spaying into the sump and not the filter.

 

[awooff]

Tower feed

Changing to a tower system here seemed like a bad idea but after pondering this - never did i have to replace a lower wash arm support ring, nor similarly the ring on the top of the lower wash arm, nor the top rack wash arm feed tube in the 2 wp pcs ive owned in the past with feed tower! -Had always thought the black rubber boot that fed water up to the tower would wear out although mine never did..

my current daily driver ultra wash top rack feed tube is getting pitted now, just as i did have to replace this same part on my ka years ago..

Maybe the gods will surface another late 80s power clean tower feed wash system to me (with light use) here locally soon!

 

[maytaga806]

There is a white ring under the screw off cap of the lower spray arm, the nut that holds it in place. Does that plastic cap need to stay there on the center of the spray arm where the cap goes when I install the black rubber cap for the tower conversion?

 

[cam2s]

The white ring is the bearing and go under the black cap with the new set up.

 

[maytaga806]

This idea came together quick....

Almost there! Just waiting for the upper spray arm to come in next week and the conversion will be completed, which of course at anytime I can switch to and from. Put the new wash pump outlet on just to make sure everything was correct and fitting the way it’s supposed to, and all is perfect. Took the feed tube out and ran it quick just to insure that it’s working the way it should and it performed correctly, so I put it all back together for now until I receive the upper arm and is back to the original 5 level system for now, which works amazingly, I was just always fascinated by the 3 level tower design, and I knew it was convertible, and parts weren’t expensive so why not? The upper arm is a pain in the ass to find online, eBay rarely has any, and it’s obviously a discontinued part.