Going to pick up a WP PowerClean today!!!

[murando531]

In a couple of hours actually! My scouring of local appliance outlets and Craigslist, etc. has finally paid off. This one looks to be a '99, or maybe '00; the serial# will tell once I get it. This control panel style was my favorite out of all the versions, this one being before they changed to the round buttons. They told me that they upgraded to stainless steel recently and just don't need it anymore, but that it still works fine. I plan to disassemble it completely and inspect/clean every piece, so hopefully there will be nothing major to need replacing. I do plan to replace the silverware basket with the newer version, the light grey with darker blue lock tab -- just looks nicer to me. I'm also debating replacing the upper rack with the non-tiered version. My Maytag also has the same tiered rack, in fact they look literally identical, even with the 12 year difference, but I suppose they don't change things that don't really need to be. I'd rather have the normal rack because I don't load large/tall pans and baking sheets and the like into a dishwasher, and the tiered rack makes you change your loading options for taller cups and glasses.

Anyway, here are the two pictures from CL. I'll have to post more once I get it back home.

 

[frigilux]

Wow, congratulations! So many here have commented that these are powerful cleaners---without the 3-hour cycles of today's machines. Hope it is in as good of shape mechanically as it is cosmetically! I've always liked the silverware-in-the-door option, as it opens up the bottom rack for big pots/pans, etc. And no funnel leading to the upper rack as in my '87 Whirlpool portable.

 

[yogitunes]

I always prefer the extended racks, and the silverware holder inside.....in an instant you can remove it for larger items.....if its located on the door, your flexability is limited...IMHO

 

[appnut]

Extended racks

Those were found only with the Kenmore UltraWash versions.  The official name for the extended racks was Bull-Nose.  The in the door flatware arrangement resulted in subtle, but noticeable reduced difference in capacity when one needed it. 

 

[murando531]

It is in excellent condition, surprisingly the most on the exterior. No scratches or dings. The inside looks to be in fine shape, just needs some good TLC. There are a few rust stains on the plastic, but a good paste of baking soda and peroxide will take it out. There's also some hard water residue, but again, that's simple to take care of. I'm excited to get home and dig into it. I'm surprised that it still has all the insulation with it, and this stuff is serious! I expected to have a tattered thin blanket over it and nothing else, but it still has the original sound blocking material, top and bottom, I guess that serves as a noise barrier for the motor. My aunts doesn't even have that, and hers is still quiet, so I'd imagine this one will be even more quiet.

Researching the manuals, this one seems to be a higher end MOL model, right under the one with the Sani-Rinse and soil sensor. The lower ends had mechanical controls. I know for sure that I'll be replacing the nylon washer bearings on the lower wash arm. I'm debating just buying the whole assembly, unless I can buff this one to its original shine. I'll have to test it to see if the arms are running at full power, and to also run a good descaling cycle.

We're in Nashville right now, but when I get back home to the computer I'll post some before pictures.

 

[frigilux]

Martin-- I had the '87 Whirlpool portable for less than a year. I liked that the door could be opened a bit and a piece of silverware dropped in the holder. But you're right about the bull-nose rack; if you need the room you can move or remove the in-rack silverware holder. Mine had the funnel in the center of the lower rack channeling water to the upper, so the lower rack was a bit challenging to work with from the get-go.

Come to think of it, the spot I liked the best for silverware was across the front of the lower rack, as in KitchenAids. Think I put it in that spot with Smokey The Maytag, as well.

 

[yogitunes]

there were some pros and cons to that center tower......

one big advantage was the adjustable upper rack...

no matter what.....you can throw anything at that dishwasher, and get guaranteed results everytime....under an hour at that....

thats why I have three of them.....2 with a tower, one without....

plus a KA KUDS2300

 

[murando531]

Sorry for the delay guys. This as been a busy two days. Anyway, I was up late last night scrubbing and inspecting every single piece of this dishwasher, and despite being 15 years old and having some scale build up and rust stains, this thing is in excellent condition. The nylon bearing on the lower wash arm definitely needs replacing ASAP, it's flattened to less than paper thin. The racks and silverware basket need love too, although I'm ready to replace them right away. I'd like the newer style off-white/greyish racks, the upper being standard level, not tiered, and the grey silverware basket.

I scrubbed for over 2 hours on the tub, using CLR to loosen and clear away the limescale. I suspect they used cheapo liquid Cascade, the WORST detergent that can be used in a dishwasher. It even has that telltale odor inside. Not anymore though!

Here are some before pics, then the afters will come..well, after.

 

[murando531]

[No message]

 

[murando531]

Perfect cycles and options in my opinion. This model is apparently just below the TOL with the Sani-Rinse and AccuSensor features.

 

[murando531]

Like I said, racks and basket will be replaced soon hopefully. You can see the rust and deposit build up if you look closely. Surprisingly there isn't a single piece missing though. It's usually hard to find a model like this of this age without at least a bumper or the small bridge pieces for the track missing.

 

[murando531]

For some reason, the stainless steel arm has a sort of corrosion to it. I can't get the discoloration to come out at all, even with CLR or vinegar.

 

[murando531]

Model and serial. I found it interesting that it also has the Inglis trademark too.

 

[murando531]

Aside from a little dust, there's no dirt of corrosion around the motor.

 

[murando531]

Insulation still attached to the kick plate and access panels.

 

[murando531]

First test run!

 

[murando531]

Sounds like a dream, even with no insulation. It literally sounds like a hurricane in a box. There's no leaks at all, and although the bearing on the lower arm is bad, it still sprays and rotates just fine. The upper arm had a lot of gunk clogging the two end holes.

 

[washer111]

Yay!

 

Great machine you have there. Hope it lasts you for a nice long time. 

 

The folk on here who run repair businesses often have a lot of parts they can spare for these sorts of projects. You should be able to pick up 2nd-hand racks for a good price, through them. 

 

Do you find the machine quiet, noticeable or "wake the dead" in terms of noise? 

 

Another thing: I suspect that the discolouration to the wash-arm will come out give a few wash cycles with Chlorine-based detergent, or very hot cycles with Oxy-based detergent. 

Maybe you could try a dishwasher cleaner?

 

[murando531]

Now for the afters!! I cleaned and polished the exterior, cleared the dust and any dirt from the underside, and ran it through a couple of 20 minute Heavy Wash with Power Scour prewashes. It heats the prewash on this selection, and even with using cold outside hose water, it began to steam after about 10 minutes, another thing I always loved about these. I did a vinegar soak after the CLR and disassembly treatment, and after a few full fill flushes, I used a splash of bleach, followed by a Cascade Complete pac to give it a fresh smell. Here are the results...