Does this look like a KDS-18?

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Ok, thanks for clarifying that. Just for that, I think I'll go back and read my printed copy again :) (I printed it... So help me)
 
Welcome to the world of Real Kitchenaid dishwashers

Jen, now you will become hooked by the allure of one of the best machines Hobart ever made. The 18 series took Kitchenaid dishwashers out of the dark ages of single washarm washers to something that allowed us to truly load as we liked yet those of us who grew up with or grew into the one armed wonders surely know how well they could clean too, if loaded properly.

The wash arm suport for your machine is probably the only thing wrong with your machine. Don't worry about that phillips head screw right now. You could always get it out if needed with a vise grips.

I will venture to guess that the previous owner took a hammer to the wash arm to remove it for whatever reason and broke the whole thing. If you replace the upper housing, you can probably still use the original wash arm and be set.

If not, and if you cannot find any more new in box support assemblies, there are many of us on here who have many spare ones.I even have a new wash arm in the box and quite a few used ones.
I have posted pictures of my 18 with the upgraded Hobart arm used in current machines which would probably last 100 years but they are very costly and I bought this set up way back in the early 90's when they first came out and were much less expensive.This will fit the 18,19 and 20 series machines too.

You would have to truly be a very devoted owner to upgrade to this kit at the price it will set you back.

But anyway, get the support fixed and then your next project will be to install the upper rack from the 21B into the 18 so you can take advantage of the larger upper washarm to get the wares in the corners cleaner than your 18 arm ever did.
This will require removing the machine or doing the work prior to installing it.

Let at least me know if you want to do that and we can work on it over the phone if you like.

Good luck with the new machine and I think we all know you will let us know how it progresses.
 
6yr old KA???

Jen, what was wrong with your Tall Tub unit? Maybe it will pay to fix it anyway and use it as a spare? I have a Kenwhirl Tall tub that is great as a spare set up in my garage and being able to remove the top rack and get all the meager water pressure out of the lower arm lets me wash tall items like stock pots and barbecue pans and grates and such without a problem. Once again, you have to have the adjustable upper rack with the manifold that has the rubber stoppers that close off the openings where the upper rack wash arm would connect. That makes all the water come thru the bottom arm and the constant rinse up top.
 
Oh where do I begin with the TT unit. It never cleaned very well, I always rinsed the dishes but that didn't matter, the upper rack broke, the door wont close. It is going to the scrap yard and I will dance and wave that sucker goodbye.

Ok so on to the good stuff....

I have found broken glass down in the bottom of the DW. How does the wash arm support assemble? I am a little confused with it at the moment and all the pictures online are snap shots from above. I can't find a side shot :(

I really can't complain at the cost of repairs since it only cost me $10. Its VERY clean on the outside, clean on the inside, mold stains on the rubber around the door, need to look into replacing the rubber lip under the door since its ripped, the rinse agent circles have some issues. The one looks like a metal mesh was there but its ripped. I'll have to post a picture of it tomorrow. No flash on the phone so pics come out dark.
 
The master has spoketh....

Hey Steve, do you have the part#'s handy for upgraded commercial wash arm kit (wash arm/support/strainer)? I found a Hobart distributor 3.4 miles from my house. I'll have to pay them a visit about these parts as well as a <a name="start_40670.601720">435102 seal and impeller kit.
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Parts breakdown

On the way.. will scan it and send it to via email tomorrow. You do know that just about every part for this machine as well as the 21 are no longer available so you may have to make do with what you have or what you can carry over from the 21. Whatever you do, don't toss the 21 tank, or pump. The pump will come in handy one day.
As far as concerns the rinse dispenser, the metal mesh is no big deal just yet. What you need to do is determine if it works at all. It may leak all its contents when filled so let's get the machine going first. That was the last model that used the double hole design for the rinse aid with a solenoid that opened and closed on command from the timer. later machines had a single opening in the door and used a bi-metal spring that moved a plunger that dispensed a small amount of jet dry to final rinse water.

It would not surprise me if something is wrong with it since they had the basket type in the pictures.
 
Shocking Revelation!

I've just been looking at the User-Guide for the KDS-20 dishwasher (from the KA website), and found the following:

 

The Soak 'n' Scrub/Sani/Heavy Wash cycles run as long as our DishDrawer, when you shut the machine off for flash drying (Oh my!). 

The Light-Wash option is 69 minutes - our Delicates cycle i 62 w/o drying (although there isn't much performance). Our actual "Fast/Light" cycle is 49 minutes.

 

Our performance is pretty decent! I am shocked by what I read...

 

None the less though, I'm sure the KA will outperform the DD on the worst loads, although we've gotten some burnt on stuff off casseroles with just the Normal cycle (84mins w/o drying) - and one of our casseroles is coming cleaner every time. 

 

It is surprising though to learn how some machine's cycles are still equivalent - although if you go and "Flash-Dry," your cycles will probably be 30mins or so shorter... However, those times are with 140F incoming water, if you use 120F (recommended), then the cycle may be extended by 30mins, if it takes 15 mins to heat the water from 120-150 every time (with two heating stages)

 

 
 
Amazing...

Your machine has the Original Constant Rinse.

Mostly all of them are sheared off due to loading things in the center of the upper rack and then shove the rack in only to snap the sprayer head off.

You'll love the KDS 18.
 
Thanks everyone:-) All this week I found a KDP-18 (someone got to it before me $25), the KDB-21B that I paid $45 very clean, and now the KDS-18 for $10. I told hubby I needed a part and his response "wait a day or so and you'll find another one" LMAO. He is quite pleased with everything.
 
Wow! She finds nice KitchenAids, installs them and is not afraid to tear into them... Do you have any sisters??? LOL!!!

The experts around here will have that 18 up and running in no time!

RCD
 
KDS-19 part to Trinidad

Yes JenD,
this is the NOS part that qsd-dan sent for my KDS-19 at a 1980's price too!
it did a round trip in the USA from New York to California where Dan confirmed it was what I needed then re-shipped to Trinidad via Florida.
you can just see the cardboard box 'dust' on the top support half.
Just some of the help you get when you join AW.org!!!
Many thanks qsd-dan

recyclewasher++9-3-2012-14-48-30.jpg
 
I will order the part in a few weeks. I have to have surgery next week so that will put me out of commission for about a month. I "might" let me hubby install the part..haven't decided LOL
 
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