KDW-7 Kitchenaid Varicycle by Hobart

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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lazymeadow

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Joined
Nov 27, 2012
Messages
10
Okay, I got a KDW-7 at a thrift store last night, and when I turned it on, it was leaking. I opened up the back and have narrowed it down to the fill hose, and the elbow fitting. I cannot tell if I need a new hose or if I need a new washer or what? I was wondering, since this seems to be where all the experts are, if anyone could help me, OR if anyone had an owner's manual or service guide or something that could help me figure it out?
Thank you!
 
Just in case I do have a fairy godmother or something, I believe my problem is in the fill valve. Is this something that's fixable?
 
Bombay or Palm Coast

Here we go, Audrey

If it is only the elbow leaking, then maybe the compression fitting on it needs to be snugged up to stop the leak. If it is the actual valve that is leaking, there may be a crack in it. Maybe the unit was left in a cold area when not in use and the valve cracked because the previous owner failed to drain the valve out. They hold a small amount of water in them and can freeze and crack in the winter or in a cold house. Or maybe it is simply the screws that hold the plastic housing to the brass mounting bracket that need tightening.

See if you can determine further what the problem may be. Maybe a picture or two??? Valves can be had easily. If you wind up needing a fill hose and faucet adapter, I am sure you will be able to adapt the one WHirlpool is currently using on their portables or at least from something they recently may have discontinued but still make the hose for it. These K/A's have had just about all of their parts obsoleted by now so they are tough to find at times. But you came to the right place to keep that unit going for many more years.

Also, if there is a hydraulic hose supplier in your area, they will probably be able to make you up a new set of hoses using your current adapter as long as that is in good shape. They will have the tools to remove the hoses from the current crimped fittings and install new hoses and recrimp the connectors to the new hoses.

Steve
 
Fill valves are often interchangeable with other types.  You just need the right fittings.  I recently helped another member with a slightly newer model KitchenAid than yours that had a leaky fill valve and we took one off a Montgomery Ward machine and were back in business.
 
Okay here is the youtube video. I don't know if it's going to help.

You can't see it very well, but after I turn on the water (whether the machine is on or not), it starts squirting out of the elbow/valve connection. It doesn't SEEM like the elbow is what's leaking... I put that seal tape on, that was the first thing I did to try to fix it (it didn't, obviously). It is weird because there is some water getting into the tub, but I am not sure how much because I do not want to flood my kitchen by running it for more than five seconds or so. It is leaking more water than it is filling, I think, but I thought it might be the other way around at first.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfyQw6R8YV8
 
Aferim!

I really like these models. I would like to find one of these for myself again. Am I correct in thinking that the exposed calrod on these Top Loading KitchenAids mean that they heat their water unlike their less than TOL sisters?

 
 
could it be as simple as a missing

washer in the connector from the hose?
The fill valve looks fairly new and since there is teflon tape on the valve I say the person before you left out the hose washer and tried to stop the leak with the teflon tape.

Take the hose off the valve and see if there is a hose washer in the connector, If there is not, add one and make it just more than hand tight when you reconnect it.

Also, look for crossed or stripped threads on the blue plastic threads. If they are messed up, you will have to get another valve.

Check it out and let us know
Steve
 
There is and was a washer in there, both the old one and a new one, and it was still leaking. That's why I put the teflon tape on there. It is what is making this such a mystery! The threads on the plastic look fine. I've tightened it pretty dang tight and it is not making any difference, just keeps spewing out water.
 
Here is the giant crack that was on the backside of the valve, and impossible to see without removing it. It looks like it is in perfect condition until you see that!

So, to replace it, should I just get any old valve that has similar hose attachments and two connections for the power? It seems there are so many different kinds, it is a little bit overwhelming. I know there are adapters that can make it fit the elbow on the fill hose, so that would be easy, right?

lazymeadow++12-4-2012-21-11-16.jpg
 
Leaking Connection At The Inlet Valve

You need a new inlet valve, you should never use two hose washers, just one good or new one and Teflon tape is never used on the threads of an inlet valve, the threads are not like pipe threads where the sealing action is in the threaded area, so adding any type of thread sealant can cause problems and never helps matters.
 
I'm pretty sure any valve with compatible water and electrical connections will do.  You'll probably have to adapt how the valve assembly itself attaches to the machine, but that is not a deal-breaker.
 

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