help fixing 4 year old kitchenaid

[soberleaf]

i bought a kitchenaid off craigslist today and was told it was about 4 years old. motor is jammed. got pump unit out of tub ok, but i can't figure out how to remove motor itself from the grey plastic pump housing. if anyone has any info please post here or email me directly at [email protected]. i got this machine for 25 bucks and it's stainless tub, single door panel, all electronic ofcourse, and uses the horizontal mounted motor. would like to get it running for the fun of it. thanks!! oh yea, model no. looks like kudso1djsso.

 

[stevet]

What a Shame!

Isn't it something that one of the world's largest appliance makers, Whirlpool can't make a pump that lasts more than a few years?
I have now had 3 machines within the past 6 months with bad motors. Two were dead or rusted jammed because the shaft seal failed and the other one which I got on a trade from a guy who bought my WP DU 950, said it was 3 years old..actually 4 and Sears wanted too much to fix it and it needed a new motor.

What was actually wrong with it was that they never cleaned off the dishes before loading them and there was so much crap in the pump sump, that it couldn't suck in any water to wash with.So of course it looked like the pump wasn't working.

I took out toothpicks, lollipopsticks, 3 screws, about a dozen citrus pits and loads of paper and plastic as well as broken glass.

I put it all back together and the machine washes perfectly.

What you need to do is remove the screw which holds the motor to the plastic housing and then it should simply twist right out for you.

I suggest you check EBay for a new pump. I bought one for 75 bucks with shipping. NIB and it was actually the current Kitchenaid with the 4 blade make believe disposer blade as well as the whole plastic mounting plate. I had to use my old plate from the Whirlpool because the sensros were different but it went right in and now I have spare parts for the pump if I need them.

Ironically, the pump is actually made by LG for Whirlpool!
But it is nothing to speak about and is only 1/5 horsepower.

Once replaced, I guess you should get another 2-4 years out of it. I would definitely scrape the dishes before putting them in because as the Kenmore I got from the guy proved, you can't throw much in there before clogging the pump up and the 2 blade disposer knife did next to nothing to chop up any of the debris. If I get a chance, I will post a picture of the stuff as I was amazed at what I found in a domestic machine!
Hope this helps

 

[soberleaf]

thanks!!!

i know, i collect old kitchenaids and i bought a kd-12 last month and it's about 50 years old and runs perfectly without leaking a drop. i have another 10 kitchenaids right now and only one had a leaky seal when i got it, a series 19 superba. my 15 imperial, new 16 imperial, all my 17's still have the origional seals and none leak!!!! this new one couldn't make it half a decade! oh well, it was a local pickup and it was 20 bucks and the tub is stainless and racks look new.

another question. it says it has a soil sensor but i don't see it, nor do i see any elec leads going to anything that could be it. it has a thermister as they call it which i assume is a thermostat but i don't see a soil sensor. where would it be please and what would it look like??

i did find a pump and sump unit together on e bay for 110 bucks new, i may grab it, not sure yet. it runs 180 or more from the appliance parts places so it is a good deal. it's just that i will not be using this dishwasher as i have 6 kitchenaids in my kitchen now and i only really like the models 17 or earlier. once they put in the top spray arm and changed the pump they lost my interest a bit. once whirlpool took over they lost me completely!!! i am an old "kitchenaid by hobart" fan!!!!!!! this one will simply be a novelty, maybe as an end table or something as i am thinking of using all my other dishwasher collections as furniture around the house! might as well be comfortable in your own house, ya know!

thanks again

 

[stevet]

Soil Sensor

Peter,
Some of these units did not have the turbidity sensors until more recently and mostly on the upper models in some cases. What they use is a pressure switch which tells the controller that the water is dirty by measuring the pressure of the water in "inches of water column"(in.w.c.). Dirty water will "weigh" more than clean water and so it decides if it needs to purge the water and refill or add more water to compensate. It will aslo vary the time of the cycle within the program parameters.
You will find the sensor located near or inline with the drain pump.

PLEASE NOTE: The drain line that comes with the machine MUST be used because it is calibrated to allow the soil sensor pressure switch to work properly.

I have to admit these units will never compare with any of the classic designs but you will be quite amazed at just how well they DO ACTUALLY clean! Between the temp sensor and the soil sensor, it does a great job. One thing is for sure though, if you use the high temp option on any of these units, the results will be alot better than using a quick wash option. Also, using the sani rinse option will increase the time of the cycles by will also help in drying the dishes and reduce spotting. And of course, you have to use the Rinse agents as well!
Hey, did I mention they are a bit quieter too?
I used a WP GU1500 in my garage as my overflow unit and to clean the pots and pans and was quite satisfied with it. That one is gtting picked up shortly as I sold it and I now have a Kenmore TOL unit in Plastic Tall tub to replace the WP. But the Bosch is King of the garage right now. Cleans the best and even drys the dishes well without heat! Just doesn't have a really large capacity for holding lots of stuff!
Good Luck.
Steve

 

[soberleaf]

found it!

thanks, i found that sensor, it is in the drain pump and is indeed a pressure switch. i would never have thought they would use a pressure switch to measure how dirty the water was! i thought it was done via light sensing apparatus. learn something new everyday. and thanks for the info on the drain hose, never would have guessed that either. this site is great for getting the info you need thanks to people like you!

i only bought it cause it was so cheap, and was curious to see if i could get it running. once i got the motor out i saw the answer to that!

i might fix it, i'm not sure. before i put 150 bucks or so into a dishwasher i really don't collect i would rather take that money and buy another old vintage machine that i love, namely any kd-17 or older. but who knows i am curious to see it operate.

i would sell it for the same 20 bucks if i find someone who wants it.

another quick question as i know you will know. since pump seals are hard to find for 15-17 kitchenaids will pump seals for the 18-20 also fit. i have several later model machines but hate to tear into them to check and see. i would like to grab a few extra pump seals for the 6 kitchenaids i have that are of the 15-17 series.

thanks

 

[stevet]

Seals all over the place!

Peter
Seals for the 15-16-17 series are all the same. If WP doesnt have them, Hobart will have them. Part number is 117011
Seals for 18-19-20 as well as Hobart WM5 and SR24 series are all the same. Part number is 435102.
The 21 thru 23 series use the metal disposer style seal which is still available thru whirlpool. Hobart did not use the 21 style pumps at all in any commercial model.
The nice thing about the 435102 seal kit is that it has a larger drain impeller so it really drains the machine very well a fast. I always change them to the new style because it is more effective.

I trust that this will help you.
Steve

 

[stevet]

Keep the faith!

Peter
As far as fixing the newer K/A you have, like I said, it will do an outstanding cleaning job so don't trash it just yet.
Look on Craigslist and you may find a similar WP, Kemnmore or K/A machine foir sale for a nice low price that can be used as a donor machine.
As most people on here also know, besides crappy pumps that don't always last, the control boards or door latches fail miserably and many people trash the machines due to the repair costs involved. So maybe you can get one that someone just wants a few bucks for and it may have one of those problems. You stand to gain the pumps as well as extra racks and dispensers for your unit. That is how I have put many machines back together with success. Have even sold some of them and made a small profit.

Also, if you have a neighborhood forum that people post to, you can find some stuff there too. Just sold the GU1500 yesterday and I got it on my local forum for free!

 

[soberleaf]

thank you steve

i was unaware i could still call hobart for parts, i will check into that. i knew the pumps on the 15-17's were the same basically but wasn't sure if seals would also fit the later 18-20 models. would like to get extra seals for all 7 of my 15-17 models. i will also check whirlpool.

couple questions here. any seals still around for a kd-12, i have one that doesn't leak but would like to know if i could get one at least. and is there any tips for putting in new seals, such as lubricating them with oil or vaseline before
assembly? i also know that wash impellers are discontinued and can't find any, so if you or anyone knows of any or has any for sale please let me know. 15-17 series again. i did buy a upper pump housing off e bay this week for 20 bucks. so they are still out there. got a motor last fall, new, so there are a few out there still. hydrosweeps are still available.

pertaining to the new kitchenaid i was thinking the same thing of grabbing another machine at a good price to use the pump and motor. but i'm not familiar with which ones will fit the kuds01 model i have. any tips? i most prob will get it running here just to see it in action, altho with that small motor, and small pump and joke of a hydrosweep spray arm i just don't see how it could do the job that my handy kdc-17 even does! i love that 1/2 hp motor and pump and one hydrosweep that cleans both top and bottom rack spotless! but i do keep forgetting that these new one's wash several hours don't they, compared to the 1/2 hr my 17 model takes. guess after 2 hrs things would be clean. maybe i'm wrong, i am very biased and really don't like any of the new machines. i work at home depot and see em all come in, give me the 60's and 70's again with it's avacado and coppertone and machines that were well made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks

 

[stevet]

More questions and answers!

KD 12 seal number is 77107 You can still get them from Hobart but you have to ask the local parts person to check the other branches in the country for them. Wash impellers for the 15-17 as well as the 18-20s are available as well thru Hobart. the part number for the 18 and up impeller is 241053 and the impeller for the 15 -17 is 81271
If you want to replace the kd 12 impeller, it should be part number 70080 but it is probably about 400 bucks by now! It is all brass and will outlast all your machines combined! And again on that part, he has to search the country. If he says any particular part is not available, have him check the other branches and agencies. There are still many machines out there and some areas have more than others so they still stock the parts.

Now as far as what pumps will fit your dead machine, any horizontal mounted motor will fit that pump housing. And basically that would be any tall tub of Whirlpool design be it WP,Kenmore or KA. All the same stuff went into them.
So you should be able to find a clumker just about anywhere.
Hope this helps.

 

[soberleaf]

thanks as usual

you always come thru with the kitchenaid/hobart info and i appreciate it. i will call hobart and whirlpool this week. had no idea the 12 series used a brass impeller. i have not touched the kd-12 since i bought it as it works perfectly and doesn't leak even tho it's about 50 years old. i didn't want to mess with it yet. it looks like new and i got it for 200 bucks and picked it up myself.

the other 15-17's all work, but again i do want a few extra seals. do you recommend lubricating the seals when i change them or put them in dry?

any suggestions for cleaning the dirt and rust out of a tub area? and when i pull pumps and motors off the tubs do you recommend any special paint that i could use to coat the bottom of the sump before installing the pump back on, like a rustoleum? to keep rust from eating away at the tub sump?

and lastly, i am about to receive a kdss-17a that i bought from boston area. i never saw a stainless tub on an older kitchenaid before so i grabbed this one. pics look like it is in mint shape. i assume tub is the same,only in stainless instead of the tri dura finish and pump sump and pump itself attaches same way, with the 6 screws? was this a special order machine?

thanks for your help, i am the biggest kitchenaid by hobart fan around. i actually live in cincinnati so troy is not that far away, i hear there is a hobart museum up there? if so i will check it out this summer on one of my trips to sandusky where i used to live.

pete

 

[soberleaf]

hobart cincinnati

i called hobart and they have an office here in cinti, and they have all of the above listed parts except the seal for the kd-12 and they know where to get that!!! very friendly employee too, really helpful!!

thanks