Dishwasher

[fan-o-quality]

Help!! Save someone (me) from having to buy a new dishwasher from the local Lowes big box store. Would really love to have a KitchenAid 17 or 18 series. Or a 1960's varicycle. I have a KDC-18 and a Maytag Jetclean WU104 but must have parts to make work. Been almost 2 years hand washing dishes now. Any comments assistance very appreciated!

Jeff

 

[alabamboy]

KDS-17 in Miss

I'll post what I come across. Uship is a possicble carrier for shipping.

http://jackson.craigslist.org/app/2314718356.html

 

[alabamboy]

Another in Ohio

not great photos

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/app/2315196474.html

 

[volvoguy87]

What parts do you need?

I work at an appliance parts store, maybe there's something in the warehouse.
Dave

 

[stevet]

Keep it in the same family!

Jeff, I would like to know what you might need for the KDC18. Also, as much as the 16 and 17's are well loved by many on here, I would have to say that there is no comparison in performance once you get to the 18 and up series.
You would be astounded at the improvement in performance you would get just moving up to a Superba 18 series with its heated washes and rinses compared to your Custom model.
If I came across a great KDS17 or 17A I would transfer all of its electromechanical parts to my 18 tank and have myself the best machine ever built!

I have an 18, a 21 and a 22 in my garage. All Superba Models. If you were closer, any would be a good choice for you.

But maybe we can keep you Custom going so let us know what is wrong with it or what you need and let's go from there.

 

[fan-o-quality]

Thanks alabamboy, I'll follow up on those links and see if any of them might be open to the idea of shipping.

Volvoguy87 my Maytag Jetclean WU104 had a rubber seal on the motor/pump shaft that failed and allowed water to slowly seep down the shaft into the bearings at the bottom of the shaft. This model has the motor directly under the pump assembly - not like some Maytags where the motor is off to the side and connected by a belt to the pump assembly.

The shaft terminates in the bearing pod, which is cast into the top of the motor itself. I don't see any evidence you can replace the shaft and bearings independently of the motor. This is bad because I'm pretty sure the motor is still good. But the shaft is all pitted and rusty now and no rubber seal would work on it.

I have found several replacement motors but they are only sold with the ENTIRE motor pump wash arm assembly. Prices range around $350. The rest of the washer is in very good condition - no rust on the inside or on the racks. And it came with 3 or 5 panel color choices - white, black, mustard gold and almond.

I have no idea what is wrong with the KDC-18 out in the garage. When my Dad and his wife moved into their house they replaced it with a new Maytag unit without starting the Kitchen Aid. I, of course, volunteered to haul off the Kitchen Aid

Also, has anyone seen this Superba on the web? I found it last night. What could have caused that type of surface corrosion on the interior surfaces - harsh water, chemicals, scrubbing?? I would have expected rust almost anywhere but on top and side surfaces. Odd...

If the seller will ship what is a good price for it? Looks like a 1961 Superba Varicycle on the outside.

Thanks all! Spent about 2 hours last night looking at all the collections and reading the posts.

 

[fan-o-quality]

Thanks stevet for the great info. This week I'll pull the KDC-18 out into the light, hook it up and see how it does. I'll let you know a.s.a.p.

Thanks again.

(another pic of that Superba - is this an early Superba?? - I found on the web last night posted below)

 

[qsd-dan]

my Maytag Jetclean WU104 had a rubber seal on the motor/pump shaft that failed and allowed water to slowly seep down the shaft into the bearings at the bottom of the shaft. This model has the motor directly under the pump assembly - not like some Maytags where the motor is off to the side and connected by a belt to the pump assembly.

I have an entire motor assembly from my WU204 that I pillaged over a year ago. It was working fine when I parted it out. The motor is yours for free if you want it. [this post was last edited: 5/9/2011-00:54]

 

[stevet]

KDS14 1960's

The machine that never dies!
Built entirely on the commercial version except for the porcelain tank! Same pump and Big Blue Washarm.
I bought one for my cousin's house in the mid 70's for 30 bucks and it ran until like 1999 when he got a new KUD24 series Whirlpool Clone. There was almost no porcelain left on the tank but it still washed the dishes cleaner than a whistle and everything on it worked including the detergent dispenser and rinse agent dispenser.

It went to the curb working. That was when I tossed all my spare parts for it except a brand new pump motor which I wound up selling to an export agent for a machine on a ship. Got well over 600 bucks for it as that was the going Hobart price for it at the time.
But alas, those days are gone and so are just about all the parts now too except from collectors and guys who have a few of these as spares or donor machines.

 

[rollermatic]

the machine in ohio

is gone, i bought it about a month ago now, don't know why seller keeps that craigslist ad running. i have it completely torn down, trying to get the last bolt out of the pump/motor assembly.

i will keep an eye out also for you, i'm always looking for old kitchenaids, if i see something close to you i will send you a note.

 

[stevet]

Last Bolt to Clarksville?

Rollermatic... is it one of the big bolts holding the pump to the tank?
If so, Just get yourself a good impact driver and put a good screwdriver socket on it of the correct type and give that sucker a good blow with a deadblow hammer. The bolt should not break in pieces and should come right out. Always worked for me and I am sure that you have already soaked it with PB Blaster so it should come right out.
Nearly 30 years ago, I purchsed an Impact driver from Snap-On which I still have in my toolbox for work and it is still going strong. I don't think I paid 30 bucks for it back then from Snap-On but whenever I show it to the current Snap-On Guys, they apoloize for the new sockets costing more than I paid for the tool with 6 the original 6 sockets it came with. Needless to say, The screwdriver sockets give out more than the driver will.

 

[stevet]

Here is that great tool!

Here is the one I am talking about!
Wow! I don't know if I would pay that much for one now but glad I bought it when I did!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=1725&group_ID=223&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[fan-o-quality]

WU204 Motor

Qsd-dan,

Yes, Definitely! I've not shipped before but Alabamboy above mentioned UShip as a possibility. I'll check with UPS locally in the next few days and check prices. I've got my motor to weigh - I assume the weigh about the same??

And free is a very generous offer but I hope you'll let me give you something for the effort. Will check in with you in a few days.

Thanks!

 

[fan-o-quality]

early 1960s Superba Varicycle

Above I posted some pics of an early Superba Varicycle. Eventually I want to have one. Even if it doesn't run it will be a good building block I'm thinking.

If the seller agrees to shipment what is a fair price to pay for it? Ideas?

Thanks again.

 

[qsd-dan]

Yes, Definitely! I've not shipped before but Alabamboy above mentioned UShip as a possibility. I'll check with UPS locally in the next few days and check prices.

The motor isn't very big or heavy, so it can be shipped by any carrier. UPS will work, but I prefer Fed-Ex 'cause UPS never fails to destroy any of my packages, especially the heavy and awkwardly packed ones.

And free is a very generous offer but I hope you'll let me give you something for the effort.

Nope, sorry. I get too much enjoyment giving rather than receiving. Besides, you just helped me make some more room in my currently cluttered garage

 

[rollermatic]

thanks steve

for the info on the impact driver.

the bolt that is being a pain is one of the 4 bolts (1/4 inch stainless i thought) that holds the lower pump assembly to the motor. i have the motor off the machine with the lower pump still attached due that the last bolt has so badly corroded that there is no flat head left on it to grab with a screwdriver.

my next step (when i get time) is to carefully drill out that area with a dremel and then after removing pump from motor see if i can grab whats left of bolt with vise grips. if not i will simply put pump back on motor with 3 bolts, not 4. thanks again and any more tips please shoot my way.

fan-o-quality that kd-14 looks great on the outside but when i saw that pic of the interior tub i was amazed at all the corrosion on the inside.

i have 2 kd-12's and a kd-14 that are in operational condition that i got off craigs list here in ohio and i also picked up a kd-11 and kd-12 recently that are going to be parts machines only. none have any corroded surface which leads me to believe that the one you show in the pic must have beem a lemon or exposed to some really harsh conditions. i've never seen that much corroded surface on any kitchenaid, either in pics here from other members or any other source.

i was first gonna suggest 100-200 as a fair price for that kd-14 but after seeing the interior shot i would give about 50 max, especially if you have to have it shipped. the last one i just bought at a school here in cinti i paid 25 bucks for and it is missing both racks and the bottom spray arm. the other one came out of an old house and i gave 60 for it. the spray arm is corroded and the racks are rusted but the tub is ok. the drain valve assembly looks to be in bad shape. the most i ever paid for any old kitchenaid was 200 and that was my first kd-12 so i was willing to pay more.

since that machine looks so nice in every other way (racks are great, door seal great, outside great) maybe there is a way to coat that tub interior with something to stop and cover that corrosion. perhaps stevet or other members here can help you on that. there has got to be a way to turn that beautiful machine into a usable, fun to use classic dishwasher again! hopefully someone will have some tips here!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Besides, you just helped me make some more room in my curren

Yeah, about that... All you need is just one trip to Reno and the Magic Haulaway Pile to fill that right back up! LOL! Besides, didn't that motor come from an innocent MAYTAG dishwasher you 'murdered' so you could install that Kitchenaid of mine? ROFLOL!

RCD

 

[fan-o-quality]

condition of KDC-18

stevet

I went out to the shop and pulled out the KDC-18 and gave it a really detailed look over. It appears to be in good shape - no obvious damage or misuse. It needs a good cleaning. It looks like all the parts are there. The door gasket looks good but has some water deposits or detergent residue. The racks don't have any corrosion and I didn't see any bald spots in the rack coating. The interior looks good except for one little spot. In the back, on the bottom, on the right hand side is a circular plastic object (is it the fill level float?), just beside it in the porcelain is a black spot but I didn't see any rust. But if it is a leak it looks small enough to patch easily. I certainly don't mind doing this. There doesn't seem to be any evidence of leaking or corrosion on the underside either.

I noticed some other things. The door has to be latched in order to press a button on the console. There is a spray arm on the top rack that I hadn't noticed before. I took off the clock and tried to turn it but it seems not to turn. Does it have to be installed in the door before you can turn it? Is there some type of trigger or release that allows it to turn.

Overall I think this thing is a keeper. Would appreciate you letting me know what you think.

Thanks!

 

[fan-o-quality]

making progress

Ok, let's see, what's next? I'm checking out the KDC-18 to get it going. I've contacted qsd_dan about getting his motor for my Maytag WU104, that should resolve all my dishwashing needs.

And rollermatic, the seller of that early 1960s Superba Varicycle is asking $50 for her unit. That's what you suggested might be reasonable. I think I'm going to try to get it. I'd really like to have one of those, even if it doesn't work lol. I'll just keep it in the shop and look at it. But I've always wanted that particular model of KitchenAid dishwasher so going to try to get it. Next to add to the collection would be a KDS 18, 19 or up. But that's later. I'll check with the shipping companies today to see what type of arrangement can be made.

Then when all that's done, I have a couple of Maytag clothes washers that have cycle issues. I love it.

Thanks all for the input and assistance!