KDS-19 leak

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blanchem

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Joined
Oct 4, 2012
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8
Looking for a little help please! We have a Hobart/KitchenAid model KDS-19 that has developed a small leak. The leak appears to come from the left side or bottom of the door. My thought was that the door seal visible when you open the door was leaking due to non use but when I looked a little closer I noticed a second seal. This second seal is attached to the bottom of the door not visible but reachable without having to remove the door. This seal was in pretty bad shape and I assume may be my problem. This second seal I speak of is not the black rubber piece behind the access panel directly under the door area. That black rubber piece is not attached to the door. The seal I question is light green/blue. I was planning on purchasing both seals if still available. Does anyone know the part number for both door seals on this unit? I also looked at my mother-in-laws (Model KitchenAid KUDP220T3) and although the door and bottom section of the dishwasher appear identicle her model does not have this seal at the bottom and hers does not leak without it. Are there service manuals/part diagrams available for this model? Any and all advice is appreciated! Thanks! Mike
 
Update

I believe I found most of the information I was looking for. The bottom seal I referred to in my original post is listed as a lower tank seal. The original part #115757 is now #4161510. The door seal assembly original #116115 is now #4161631. I have not confirmed this with anyone as neither KitchenAid or Whirlpool could help me due to the units age. I'm still looking for a diagram & parts list so if anyone can point me to that I'd be grateful. Found from KDS-20 and above but nothing below. I obtained this information via Internet searches so if anyone knowledgeable could verify this information for me that would be great!
 
Not good news!

Are you talking about the small black gaskets that go in the corner of the tank where the corners of the door might fit in? They are "L" shaped and are held in with clips that you probably cannot see.

You don't see them on many machines but sadly, these are not available from Whirlpool since the machine would be very obsolete. I would suggest that you check to make sure the machine is not overfilling, that it is still level front to back or that the door gasket itself is no worn out. Also, are the white or blue plastic clips still attached to the lower rack? These served to prevent water from jetting out the lower sides of the door as well.

Keep us posted and we will help as best we can.
 
Thanks for the reply stevet!

I was referring to what I now believe to be the "lower tank seal". Part #4161510. Held in by part #4161509. It is badly deformed, twisted and starting to tear so I "assume" that is the cause of the leak. It doesn't look like this model uses the corner seals and clips you speak of. The corner seal and clips must be an upgrade as the KDS-19 appears to use this lower tank seal and the KDS-20 and newer if the numbers went up as they got newer (looking at their manuals online) seems to have the corner seals. Probably why I didn't see the kind of seal I am looking for on my mother-in-laws as hers probably has the corner seals. Considering the age of the unit I am going to order the door seal as well so I have a new seal all around.
 
Another question?

Can the door be easily removed from this dishwasher or will I have to pull the unit out from under the counter? This seal is in an awkward place on the bottom of the door and I thought if I could remove the door and install it I could guarantee I'd get it installed properly. It was easy to remove as I was just pulling it out of the groove but I'm thinking much harder to install as I will need to feed it through the groove in the retaining rail.
 
No advice?

No advice on the door removal question? Can the door of a KDS-19 be removed without disconnecting and removing the dishwasher from under the counter?
 
I'm pretty sure you can remove the door without pulling the whole machine out from under the counter, in fact I'd recommend it since the whole machine won't tip forward when you have the door open.  It's much easier to get the door back on if you have a second person to help you line up the holes for the hinges.

 

Just to confirm -- the clips Steve mentioned are part of the bottom rack assembly.  They clip to the rack at the front on both corners.

 

I've attached a picture.  This is on a model slightly later than yours, but the clips would be the same.

rp2813++10-13-2012-17-28-52.jpg
 
Thanks!

Thanks for the input but would there not be springs or something attached to the hinge on the backside? No springs and just a stop maybe? I do not have a service manual so that's why all the questions! I found the gasket information in bits and pieces of some extensive Internet searching. YouTube videos available of a lot of dishwasher front panel removals and door disassemblies but no door removals.

Yes... I have the white clips like yours that Steve mentioned and they are still intact and in perfect condition on the bottom rack. The black corner gaskets held on with the "L" brackets he speaks of is what I do not have on my model. My model has a gasket that runs across the length of the door along the bottom. I listed the part number in my earlier post. This easy to remove, I believe harder to install seal I have on mine appears to be my problem as it is deteriated!

I purchased and received both the door gasket and the gasket that runs along the bottom of the door but my rental property is a couple hundred miles away so I am trying to gather the exact information I need prior to my next maintenance trip.
 
Hi, when you are successful in replacing that lower door seal, will you please share what worked best for you: if you did need to remove the door to replace it or not. I have a kds-18 that has a bad lower door seal and was wondering how to replace it myself when I came across this post.
Many thanks in advance, and best of luck with your replacement.
 
Thanks rp2813!

Things are looking up for an outcome I was hoping for if I can truly get the door off without removing the unit from under the counter. I will post when the job is complete but be patient as it will be a few weeks before my next trip. Until then... any additional information anyone may have is welcomed and appreciated!
 
NOT A HARD JOB AT ALL!

Remvoing the door is not that hard to do. You may want a helper, though one person can handle it.

TURN OFF ALL POWER TO THE MACHINE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE DOOR

Then, remove the outer panel from the door by removing the 4 screws that retain it to the inner door. Close the door and latch it.

Then remove the lower panel and then the black kick panel.

Unhook the door springs located on each side from the hinge ends and let them drop down into the frame. Without the springs attached to the hinges, the door will be HEAVY when you open it again which is why you want to keep it latched so it doesn't fall on you.

With the door closed, you will see two retaining clips on two small hinge pins in the lower corners of the door. Remove the retainers with a small screwdriver and needle nosed pliers. Then remove the pins and set these aside for reuse.

You will now be able to remove the door enough to install the gasket you bought.

Unlatch the door, and open it enought to lift it out of the hinges and either have someone hold it out of the way enough to get your hands inside to remove and replace the gasket or open it to a more perpendicular position to access the area better.

You really don't need to remove the whole door out of the machine which might necessitate removing all the wiring from the door. I have never had to do this unless I was changing out the whole door.

You should clean the area inside the tank where the door overlaps the inner tank as grease and such will accumulate there and can sometimes cause the machine to leak. Then install your gasket and reinstall the door in the reverse order.

Rehook the springs to the to the small brackets inside the frame and then to the ends of the hinges one at a time.

Run a rinse and hold and make sure that all is well and hopefully, your problem will be fixed.

Hope this helps
Steve
 
WOW!

Excellent information Steve. Exactly what a person needs when there are no manuals available and its their first time digging into one of these. Thanks for taking the time to document so well. You guys all have been a great help! I'll check back when the job is complete.
 
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