KD 20 or 21?

[combo52]

Upper Rack Washing In KD18-23 KA DWs

It looks about right to me, as Eddie said the top wash arm in almost any DW does not have nearly the force of the lower arm [ this was designed this way to protect glasses and plastic items from damage ], however KAs of this vintage were worse than many, as I have said several times my 1980s WP cleans much better than my KDSS-20 ever does in the top rack.

 

[mattntn]

Ok - dumb question: Does anybody know where to find a wash arm support for this machine?? It seems to wash ok but I know it's just a matter of time before that will have to be done.

 

[toploader55]

Wash Arm Support

Try Flea-Bay.

I might have an extra or two in the decompression chamber. Let me know how you make out.

Dr. Steve ... is a 18 interchangeble with a 20 series support ?

 

[chachp]

What makes the 18 better than the 20?

I am curious. When I look at the two machines they look so similar. The only bad thing I ever heard about the 18 was that the upper wash arm didn't get into the corners very well. Did they introduce some energy saving features in the 20 that affected it's washing capability? I do like the fact that the 18 still has the constant rinse at the top.

 

[chachp]

This one is off of a 19 series.

Does anyone know if this will work for him? There is no part number listed in the auction.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[mattntn]

Thanks again for the info. I'm definitely watching that one on eBay. Emailed dr Steve for advice on that question too. Cleaning her up today. )

 

[combo52]

KA DW Wash Arm Supports

The 18-20 complete pump, motor, wash-arm and WAS are all interchangeable, the one posted on E bay will work although it looks well used.

 

[mattntn]

I know - I hate to get that one if it's no better than what I already have.

 

[stevet]

take a chance!

Matt,
While the wash arm support on Ebay looks pretty well used, as long as the pin and ring are in place and the internal white bushing is tight, then you should be okay. What is very important as well is the "squareness" of the bottom of the support. It has to sit flat on the lower pump housing in order to seal properly. If it doesn't then water can spray out of it and affect the pressure going to the two wash arms. It is hard to see the water leaking as it is covered by the strainer but it would be obvious that either your current one or the new one was not square by simply running your finger around the perimeter of it.

If the wash pressure seems lacking, you may want to check the wash impeller to be sure it is intact and that it is shimmed properly. If the space between the lower pump and the impeller is too big, you will not develop the proper amount of pressure from the pump. There are specs for this clearance and usually, a new seal kit will include the shimming gaiges as well as spacer wahers that take the place of the upper support when shimming the impeller.

Hope this helps. If not, give a holler

Oh!! and btw, if and when you remove the upper support, make sure to replace it with the word "front" facing in the correct direction. If it is not in the right place, you can restrict the water that would go to the washarms.

 

[mattntn]

Going to take a chance on the one on eBay. Got her installed last night. Only thing I noticed after running a few minutes is this really high pitched whistle that comes and goes. It stopped after a few minutes. Didn't do it at all during the test run. Not sure if that will get better with use or bad sign of a pump/motor problem?? (
But I'm not discouraged! So glad to finally have one of these!

 

[mattntn]

She's in and running well! Thanks to everybody for their advice. There's definitely a wealth of knowledge here! Took a chance on the part from eBay and worked great. SteveT also sent the other piece I was needing. Many thanks!!! Now just keeping my eyes pealed for some stainless panels...maybe Santa can come through!

 

[mattntn]

Sooo glad to have something made by them in my kitchen! And I still keep scouring the ads for others. It's like an addiction!! Lol

 

[rp2813]

Nice job! 

 

If you end up putting it through its paces with Thanksgiving dishes, let us know how it does.

 

[stevet]

Sweet!!!

Matt,
Your dishwasher looks just like the white KDS-20 I used to have in our Kitchen. I always thought that the 20 series was the nicest looking control panel they ever had.
Mine had a few more buttons and the stainless steel tank trim on the sides but was white just like yours up against white cabinets.
It was not in very long when my Monterrey 21 came along and took its place. I still have the white panels on the 21 as well as on my KDS-18.Both of which are in the garage. There is also a KUDS22 sitting there in its sexy black garb!

Stainless panels are still out there on Ebay so give it a look see, but what's is wrong with the white panels with the white cabinets?

 

[chachp]

Here is the KDS-20 Steve is talking about.

They are almost identical. I think the white looks nice too. I would switch mine out for the white for a change if I had the white panels. But my cabinets are more of an off white so I don't know how it would look.

 

[combo52]

SS Panels For DWs With Panel ready Trim

It is also easy to just get flat SS cut to fit DWs like yours.

 

[bendixmark]

Porcelain

When it comes to picking machines I always go with the one that has a tub that is still nice and shiny.If the tub is all dull then forget it,I am a texture freak big time.I also looked a long time for a nice kds 17 or 18 and then one day it began raining kitchenaids and I got a pristine 17 which of course some here wont approve of with the one arm.Thats ok,I am a single guy so it seemed appropriate.I dont even cook.I dont even live in the house yet.

 

[mattntn]

Dumb question but is there a secret to getting the chrome so shiny on yours? I wasn't sure what to use.

 

[chachp]

Cleaning chrome

Believe it or not I usually just use the Mr. Clean Eraser Bars. Those things are amazing and don't seem to want to remove any of the black lettering.

I don't think mine was all that bad when I got it. As a matter of fact the chrome on the side still had the plastic on and I had to use the Goo Gone stuff to get rid of the glue after all these years. I really don't think mine had been driven all that hard but the rust staining was so bad on the inside I don't see how that would happen if it hadn't been well used so it's hard to say.

I find the Eraser bars also work well to shine up the porcelain. A forum member recommended that I use the Lemi Shine to help clean the inside and I did. I was amazed at what a great job that did.

How does the inside of your machine look?

 

[dimitris]

Congratulations!!!!!
Hope you will enjoy your beautiful machine for many many years!!!!!!!!