D/W experts; Lifetime KDC-17?

[firedome]

In line with our philosophical goal of reducing consumption and use of natural resources, I'd like to enable our KDC-17 to last another 20 years in our retirement house which is now being planned. We picked up a nice KA from a fellow member and it'll be installed in the new place. I know this isn't the most efficient machine compared to new, but there is a resource cost to buying new also, and I love the idea of using a machine built when quality came first. So, can the KA or d/w experts give me an idea of which parts most likely to wear out or go bad on these machines, which parts it would be smart to "stockpile" to ensure we can use it well into the future? Thanks in advance for any guidance!

 

[norgeway]

Efficency ??

I firmly believe...all things considered , that that machine is MUCH more efficent than ANYTHING made now....There is no way that something that runs two hours but uses only five or six gallons of water is cheaper to run than the old KA which uses about 12 gallons of water, but runs only 35 or 40 minutes, plus the new one will be wore out in 5 to 10 years whereas the KA will still be running at 35 or more years, ..If it were me, I would find a timer for your machine, and maybe a new motor assembly, probably a set of racks wouldnt be a bad idea either.

 

[chachp]

I would add to that:

a soap dispenser and Rinse Agent dispenser.  While it wouldn't stop you from doing dishes these do sometimes spring a leak.

 

[rollermatic]

pump seal

is your most important part, if it fails you don't have a workable dishwasher. and a spare motor too! there is a motor a seal kit on e bay right now.

 

[firedome]

thanks...

how about drain solenoids, switches and other such?

I do need a real nice lower rack from any model that fits 18/19? - if any one has one that's sorta "like new" (I have an "OK" one already) could you please let me know and the price? thanks!!

 

[firedome]

Stevet or combo52...

what are the most commonly seen failure modes for KA-17s?

 

[combo52]

A Life-Time KD-17 DW

First question is how many loads per week will this machine see. Then what is your water like where you live and do you pre-rinse your dishes. Soft water and or pre-rinsing your dishes can substantially shorten the life of ANY DW ever made.

 

But back to your question, the major trouble spots on KDI&C-17s were Timer, Push-button switches these were the only parts that were unique to this model that failed a lot. Then the usual, det. disps, bi-metal openers, drain impeller & seal, drain and inlet valves, main motor, drying parts, constant-rinse arm, lower wash arm and support, racks and you should get rid of the plastic wash filter and get a SS one from an S model. All the later parts will probably not be too hard to find for the rest of our lives.

 

[firedome]

The water

is very hard here, have to run vinegar through from time to time. Usage - we probably run it every 2-3 days, I knock the crud off, but with oatmeal sometimes do rinse it since it seems to stick sometime. This is in our BOL 2 yr old GE, the KA will be installed in a little retirement house when it gets built in 2-3 yrs.