More questions about KDS16 KitchenAid Dishwasher

[washermatt]

Hello Again: I recently asked a question about my KitchenAid (Hobart) KDS-16 Dishwasher concerning the interior finish, and appreciate the quick response I received. Now I have two additional questions. The machine itself appears to operate the way it should, with the following possible exception: I have noticed over the years that the upper spray device (a little white rotating device which is attached to the top of the tank), never seems to rotate. While I obviously can't see this in operation because the door is closed, I occasionally open the door during a cycle to see if has moved, and it apparently does not move. While the bottom spray arm works fine, and everything else does, I was wondering whether anybody else has dealt with this issue and what the solution is.

Also, does anybody know whether I can replace the exterior door panel and bottom exterior panel which are both currently almond in color, with stainless steel panels which might be available? Thank you in advance for any further help you can provide.

 

[stevet]

Round and Round she goes!

Where she stops only you know!
The constant rinse is "powered" by the water sent up a small tube from the bottom of the machine using the back pressure created by the water being pumped into the lower washarm. Unless there is something large that got past all the filters and lodged itself in the passageway, the water should still flow freely to the constant rinse.
Now, if you have very hard water or even moderately hard water, after all these years, it may have accumulated in the bottom of the wash pump housing and closed off the opening there. Also, the constant rinse device could also beclogged up or binding up due to the lime buildup.

I would suggest you remove the washarm support and take a look at the left side of the lower pump housing and make sure the opening is clean. It is a space maybe 1"e by 3/4" and should not have anything blocking it. If it is clogged, clean it carefully. Make sure that you replace the wash arm support properly so that the water channels line up.Then I would run one of those "Vinegar" washes or get one of the currently available dishwasher cleaners which are supposed to clean out all the hidden areas of the machine and see if that helps.

Also, closely examine the constant rinse and see if any of the small openings has some food or other particles stuck in the openings. There should be like 3 openings, one on each end and one on the side so look carefully.

Go gently on it as there is no way to buy another one. They were obsoleted back in the '80's!

Let us know what you find and how you make out

 

[tomturbomatic]

The best way to determine if the Constant Rinse is working is if there are no food particles left on tops of things with concave bases in the top rack. Once we got a DW, we never even looked at tumblers with concave impressions in the base. Cups are easier to rack so that the water drains. If you don't have "yibblets" left on stuff, the Constant Rinse is probably working.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

The KDS-16 series Constant Rinse has two jets,a third jet was added on the 17,but Steve's advice is excellent.

 

[stevet]

Panels??

Matt,
If your dishwasher has an almond panel held in place with the stainless steel trim on the perimeter of the panels, then you can add stainless panels very easily. They would be installed like any of the panels in the Kitchenaid Vari-Front kits. Remove one side strip and pull the old panel out and install whatever panels you like. If yours is the vari front setup, you should find another panel in there too as the kit included usually a white, black, almond and harvest gold set of panels.

Needless to say, you can't buy the custom panels anymore but you can find stainless panels at some Home Centers or find a sheet metal fabricator who can cut them to the size of your old ones. Stainless Fronts always looked nice on the classic K/A's.
The attached picture is from a 21 series, but you can see the thin trim edging that retains the panels in place in the picture.