Kitchenaid (Hobart design) Top Sprayer WEAK while bottom is strong. Where do I look?

[777funk]

I opened up my 80s Kitchenaid KUDH230Y dishwasher during operation since the top rack isn't getting too clean and noticed that the top sprayer doesn't spin and it's just a little more than a dribble coming out of the sprayers. The bottom on the other hand is like a fire hydrant sprayed all over the place at high pressure.

I checked the things I could easily see:
-Sprayer nozzles in the sprayer hand clear of debris
-pipe on the top rack makes a decent connection

I don't know what else to check. I would expect the top rack to be lower pressure than the bottom but it should spin and dishes should still clean I'd think...

 

[777funk]

Ok! I figured it out... there's a suction cup sort of device on the end of the upper rack that connects the rack's plumbing to the back of the dishwasher.

In order for that to make a good watertight connection, the rack needs to be pressed hard to the back of the dishwasher. I pulled the rack out a half inch and closed the dishwasher door then reopened it to see if the door presses the rack to the back wall. It did NOT. I could still push the upper rack inward another 1/4 to 3/8". So the solution I came up with was to bend the top front of the wire rack outward a bit so that it hits the door when it's closed. This makes the rack (and thus the suction cup seal) press tightly to its mating surface. I also added one very tight fitting o ring around the pipe that connects to the suction cup. It's not enough to keep the cup from driving itself home (2 o-rings were too much) but it should help provide a little extra seal.

Hopefully now, the top rack dishes will be clean!

 

[jamiel]

Not knowing the exact connecting tube, you might want to change it out...ISTR that those (pale blue rubbery) tubes can fail from the inside.

 

[777funk]

I did pull the pale blue connector tube under the rack and it seems to be in good condition. I ran the dishwasher with the rack pressed tight to where it's supposed to seal and the sprayer spins and sprays very well (although not quite as strong as the fire hydrant at the bottom of the dishwasher).

I did notice that coffee mugs in the corners of the upper rack aren't getting quite as clean as the items in the center. That may be par for the course.

 

[appnut]

The upper spray arm is designed to not have as quite a force of water as the lower spray arm--so as to protect crystal and other light weight items in the upper rack.