First Collection Item

[kakidd]

OK, so I finally located my dream dishwasher, a KitchenAid KDS-18. It is in great condition on the outside and is relatively clean on the inside with the exception of the racks. Problem is I have no clue on where to start in testing and restoring it. It was purchased at a thrift store and they said that the person donating, claimed it was working on Saturday, August 9, when they took it out. Is there anyone in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area that is familiar with these machines that might give me some advice/assistance. I would be happy to pay for the expertise of someone that could assist me in making this machine my daily driver but I don't want to install it until I know it is working properly or what kind of repairs it might need. I love vintage appliances but don't have the first clue when it comes to testing, fixing or repairing them.

Assuming the machine is functional, I would like to eventually obtain some stainless steel panels for the front as well as upper and lower racks that are in better condition than the ones I have.

I posted some pictures in an earlier post but will include a couple again here. This is such a knowledgeable group of great people and I look forward to hearing your advice/suggestions on where I should start.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[114jwh]

Congratulations on the new to you dishwasher! It looks to be in great shape and KitchenAids of this era are well known to be excellent machines.

It sounds like you'll need to enlist the assistance of an appliance technician - you really need to start by hooking it up to determine if there are any problems. I've attached a link to the installation instructions below that you can give to whomever you get to hook it up.

Once connected I would start it using a rinse only cycle. Keep the service (bottom) panel off and watch for leaks as it moves through the paces. If it doesn't leak then try a short/light wash. If it fills, drains, doesn't leak and the dryer goes on at the end you're probably good to go.

To clean I'd start by wiping it out with some mild detergent and then run a cycle with lemon juice or citric acid to help remove iron and hard water stains.

Good Luck!

http://www.kitchenaid.com/digitalassets/MLPDF/Installation%20Instructions%20-%204177899.pdf

 

[funktionalart]

Before testing~

It would be wise to first lay this on its back and give a good inspection to all wiring and connections (especially look for torn wiring insulation or any sign of cuts/splits which expose underlying wiring.

If that looks ok, be sure to check the tub underside and around the point where motor sits inside tub. You'll certainly see any obvious things like cracked / dry / split / leaky hoses or connections.

Check the power wiring leads, too, before you attach power cord or the hardwire conduit from your house's power.

If all looks well there, you can open up the control panel and check for same.

Should you feel there are no issues with the above, get a pitcher full of HOT water and pour a few cups of it into the bottom of washer. Let it sit an hour or so--this will be of some help softening the seal if the machine has been sitting longer than you were told (it *could* be somewhat dry...maybe not).
Should you have any unseen rust at the area where the water is...and it's bad, you'll see a leak onto your floor--this will either be from rust-through of the tank or a leaking motor seal.

Now...if all's well there, I would personally be comfortable hooking up to power / water and go from there--using a quick rinse cycle as your first test.

 

[philr]

Congratulations Mark! 

 

This is a nice model. 

 

[kakidd]

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions!!. I

I would really like to be able to test in the garage before installing but not sure how to go about it. It does not have a power cord, just short wiring where it was disconnected and what appears to be a cut off drain hose. Would it be possible to have a power cord put on it for testing and connect it that way when installed? My current dishwasher is wired directly to the power supply but I do have a plug under the sink that the garbage disposal is plugged into.

 

[DADoES]

 
Surely a power cord can be added.  Connect the white, black, and ground same as a hard-wired installation.

I bought an adapter some months ago to connect a dishwasher to a garden hose.  Trick now is that I don't where I put it, paraphernalia is scattered all over around here.  Anyway, got it at the local home supply (Sutherland's) in the faucet parts section.

 

[kakidd]

Thanks DADoES, I just want to know what I'm dealing with before taking out my current machine!

 

[chachp]

Something like this...

My local Home Depot sells a dishwasher connection kit.  You can use something like this to connect it to a garden hose and then use the stainless hose for your permanent connection.  While you're there pick up an appliance cord and connect it as Dadoes has said above.  You can let it just drain onto the driveway.  I've done this many times and it should work just fine for you.  I don't blame you wanting to test it before installation.  I think that's a smart move.

Watts 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 72 in. Stainless-Steel Dishwasher Connector FSD72H - The Home Depot

Watts - FloodSafe 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 72 in. Stainless-Steel Dishwasher Connector - This flexible dishwasher connector features a patented shutoff device on one end, and offers a maximum pressure of 125

www.homedepot.com

 

[kakidd]

Thank you! Can someone tell me the mfg. date with the serial number in the photo?