Kenmore Ultra Wash

[aladude]

I picked up a Kenmore Ultra Wash for $35 at the habitat restore to replace the builder's grade whirlpool I had previously. The racks were rusting through but I just swapped them with the nearly identical racks from the whirlpool. The eagle-eyed will notice the rack doesn't match the bump-out in the tub door but it's a minor loss of rack space so I don't mind. This machine washes the pants off my old one and it's so much quieter.

Its model number is 665.15821691 and its serial is FF4106790. How old is it? I'm guessing late 90's.

In the whirlpool I could easily remove the bottom wash arm to clean it but the ultra wash module looks totally different. I'd like to take it apart to clean it--anyone know how?

 

[aladude]

Interior with Whirlpool racks

 

[retropia]

It looks good! I'm not familiar with how the lower arm comes off, but someone will come along who knows.

I wanted to mention that if you check Craigslist periodically, sometimes replacement racks are listed for sale. I was able to find a NOS Kitchenaid rack with the bump out for sale, and it really does increase the available space for dishes.

 

[yogitunes]

OCTOBER 1996....

finding racks is somewhat difficult for this version, I have the portable without the center tower, and for some reason they have a bad batch of racks that are rusted, how bad are the originals?....I ended up getting one of the 'tip' kits, cut all the tips evenly, and put these in place, they are actually better cushioned protection for the dishes as well...

these racks will work just as good, usually the silverware is attached to the door with those types of racks.....

I will get you a pic of mine, there should be a small rack that hangs on the top one for knives and such, might as well take advantage of all the useable space....

the rubber top of the wash arm should just turn counterclockwise to remove the wash arm, not much to really clean on these, for as they stay very clean all by themselves...

you are not gonna find any better of cleaning than one of these UltraWashes....I have done the cake test several times, and erased everytime!

I don't see the selection, but willing to bet this has the 'soil sensor', it will make water changes as, and only if, needed for each cycle....some more than others...depends on how dirty the water gets...

enjoy years of trouble free washing!

 

[sarahperdue]

War Eagle, Aladude

My husband and I spent many happy years at Auburn, and we're glad to say, that after a few years of wanting to Roll Tide like everyone else in T-town, our two boys have decided that it's great to be an Auburn Tiger.

Good to see someone from "home."

Sarah

 

[stevet]

Tall Tub wash arm Removal

I had to ask how to remove the lower arm on the tall tub Whirlkenaids too.

Hold the retaining nut and turn the arm counter clockwise and it should unscrew for inspection/cleaning if needed. Reverse to install! Don't over tighten it when re- installing as you will deform the threads on the arm.

 

[rpms]

Good deal! My dishwasher is about 17 years old? I have replaced the bottom rack but now the top rack has broke.
The corkscrew elevator thing broke off. The top rack now lists to one side and you can't put dinner plates on the left side.
I found the cup racks on the top rack useless and removed them ages ago. The height adjuster I find is about a 4 on a scale of 10 to be useful.
If you drop it down all the way for wine glasses up top, the spray arm would not clear the top of the plates. It works ok to get a few extra inches if you have a large pot on top.
I think I have found a doner rack from an Inglis/Whirlpool. It is just a basic rack.
I hope the utensil bin will fit on it? I use that all the time.
When I replaced the lower rack it was over $200. I called Sears and the upper rack is $165. I thought it would be more?
I want to keep this dishwasher going for as long as possible. I love it.

 

[imperial70]

rpms,
That's the identical interior to the Ultra Wash that I have. I love mine too. I think I got it in 95. I believe it is about 19 years old. Both racks are rusting away.

 

[aladude]

Wow, all these great replies are the reason I like this site so much. My machine was missing the knife rack. The reason I want to take it apart is there's a lingering mold smell I want to track down. It seems to diminish with each subsequent cycle though.

Sarah, war eagle! I love hearing from people from the plains. I'm a junior in software engineering. Looks like all my younger sibs are going to end up here as well--it's just that special.

 

[logixx]

I wonder if you could attach a cutlery basket to the outside of the lower rack (maybe with cable ties) the way Whirlpool dishwashers have it. SearsPartsDirect, for example, sells the lower rack plus cutlery basket for $200.

 

[aladude]

I bought a cutlery basket on eBay. logixx, that's a really good idea. I tried it out though and you really have to shove the door to get it to close, so I'll probably just leave it the way it is.