GE Permatuf

[pavintagefan]

I'm having a leaking issue with my KitchenAid KDI-21 dishwasher. I'm planning on removing it and finding out what's going on (it's leaking badly from above, where the supply fixture routes to the upper sprayer).
I really like this machine and hopefully it is an easy fix. If not, I'm checking out some replacement ideas and came across a very nice GE Permatuf dishwasher on marketplace for $100.



What's the general opinion on these?
Thanks much,

 

[phillymatt53]

My Kitchenaid KDC-19 dishwasher had a small leak too, located underneath where the hose for the upper spray arm connects to the pump housing.
Apparently, the fitting is press-fitted to the pump housing and I suppose through the years the rubber connector my have shrunk due to aging.
Removing the top of the pump housing, the top housing merely presses against the rubber connector.
Cleaning the area and the mating surfaces, I used some carefully applied Permatex "Red" gasket sealer, which is good for over 600 degrees once cured.
I allowed the sealer to cure for a couple of days.
No more leaks

Just locate the specific area, clean any residue, and the sealer should eliminate the leak.
$10 bucks for a tube of Permatex is better than spending $100 on another machine, which might have hidden problems.

 

[pavintagefan]

My Kitchenaid KDC-19 dishwasher had a small leak too, located underneath where the hose for the upper spray arm connects to the pump housing.
Apparently, the fitting is press-fitted to the pump housing and I suppose through the years the rubber connector my have shrunk due to aging.
Removing the top of the pump housing, the top housing merely presses against the rubber connector.
Cleaning the area and the mating surfaces, I used some carefully applied Permatex "Red" gasket sealer, which is good for over 600 degrees once cured.
I allowed the sealer to cure for a couple of days.
No more leaks

Just locate the specific area, clean any residue, and the sealer should eliminate the leak.
$10 bucks for a tube of Permatex is better than spending $100 on another machine, which might have hidden problems.

Thanks, I'm planning on removing it and seeing what's going on, but preparing for worst case scenario...

 

[pstehle]

Eww... you'd swap out a Kitchenaid built like a Sherman tank for a plastic GE with a sidewinder motor? Get used to the nice rattle the drain flapper linkage makes, and be sure you spin the pump fan a few turns before you install it, the seals like to stick when they're not run for a while, and the motor can't overcome it because it has no start winding... (sorry if I've p*ssed off all the GE lovers out there, but I could never stand those things!)

 

[neptunebob]

This one looks to be in good condition but it will ROAR!

 

[Chetlaham]

The longest lasting dishwasher ever made, by far. These put Hobart Kitchen-Aid to shame. This was when GE was serious about re-claiming the dishwasher market and went ultra crazy over engineering every part of this machine.

The cycle time is also super fast, 50 minute total prewash, wash and rinse with a 35 minute dry that worked really well.

Only problem with these is that they were re-called due to the slide switch. You can either bypass the slide switch, try to fit in a rocker switch or absolutely make sure the switch is either to the extreme left or extreme right but never anywhere in between.

Try it out and enjoy the benefits!

If the machine was lightly used you could install it and not have to touch it for another 30 years.

Parts are plentiful and you can still get the 129D9177P13 / WD21X574 timer off ebay which is unheard of for any other machine of this age.

 

[Chetlaham]

Eww... you'd swap out a Kitchenaid built like a Sherman tank for a plastic GE with a sidewinder motor? Get used to the nice rattle the drain flapper linkage makes, and be sure you spin the pump fan a few turns before you install it, the seals like to stick when they're not run for a while, and the motor can't overcome it because it has no start winding... (sorry if I've p*ssed off all the GE lovers out there, but I could never stand those things!)

That dishwasher will outlast any Kitchen-Aid. And it is far more intelligently designed.

 

[neptunebob]

But Chet, it is LOUD!

 

[Chetlaham]

But Chet, it is LOUD!

Loud, but it lasts. I'd rather tolerate loud for 50 minutes than have a dishwasher that takes 4 hours and will last 1/10th the life of this machine.

FWIW, noise can be reduced while increasing washing and rinsing performance by installing a new PSC motor and pump assembly. Though I doubt the new pump and motor assembly will outlast the original 1984 pump.