Need advice on 1960's RCA Whirlpool Dishwasher

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adamr

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Apr 20, 2011
Messages
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Hi folks

In my mothers house near Boston is this 1960s RCA Whirlpool dishwasher. I was about to replace it with a new dishwasher but then I saw this site and thought maybe some people here might have some advice on how I can use it again.

It has not been used for at least 38 years. Twenty years ago my mother said she had never used it because there was a leak somewhere. The previous owners installed it, I'm not certain when, but the latest they could have used it was 1973 when they moved out.

I'm afraid to just turn it on... partly because of the alleged "leak" and part because I don't know how well rubber holds up, or what happens to motors if you don't use them for a long long time. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to check it out, before turning it on? Or, what to look for if I do try to turn it on?

adamr++4-20-2011-15-14-31.jpg
 
OMG - that's a beauty.  I chased after an Inglis-branded version of a machine like this for years, only to find the owners had scrapped it.  Do hold on to it and if you can't... call me... LOL

Now, I am not an expert, but here's how I would go about trying a machine like this:

- Remove the motor access panel and inspect the components under the machine - look for anything that is cracked or broken which might be a source of the leak.  

- If nothing is obvious, put down a sheet of plastic in front of the machine

- Pour a couple of buckets full of the hottest water you can get into the bottom of the machine and let it sit.   If there are tub or seal problems causing the leaks, you will see them right away.  If that is the case, drain out the machine.

- If there are no obvious leaks,  try powering the machine up.  Be ready to cut the power if you see any leaks. 

I have a 1971 Westinghouse dishwasher that sat for decades and seemed to leak slightly from the door until I ran it on a full cycle, so ya never know.

Thanks for sharing and good luck with this one!!
 
Amirable Performer

Earlier models of Whirlpool dishwashers washed as well or better than competitors.  Whirlpool also enjoyed a much better than average repair record for their dishwasher based on Consumer Reports information early on and into the 70's.  I wouldn't be surprised if it works perfectly.  Urban legends often abound over coffee and "they said" and "you know" soon becomes fact.  Before you know it dishes are being rinsed or the dishwasher not used at all because of "you know what they say".  Keep us posted, its kind of going on a hunt and we're all waiting to see what you've bagged.
 
Testing

I second the above--and definitely arm yourself with towels and such in case a leak would be trouble.

 

It appears your detergent dispenser door is gone, which was a common problem with these units.  They washed very well, but the dispenser lids were fragile, and these machines were repair-prone in some other areas as well.

 

I'd also scour the inside for stray bits of plastic, screws, small springs, or other doodads that may have broken free in the years it sat empty.  That way, nothing wanders into the pump during testing.
 
2-wash levels??

Oh John!!  Oh Tom!!!  Would one of y'all explain the funnel/tower looking thing in the top rack, appears something similar could possibly pop up in the same spot in the bottom rack?  I cannot tell if there is a wash arm under the top rack or not.  Thank you.  also wish I could make out what the cycle buttons say. 
 
1964-1966 WP FILTER STREAM DW

Neat old DW thanks for posting, it would have been made in the time period that I listed if you give us the model and serial #s I date it exactly. Bob yes it has an upper wash arm it is hard to see in the picture because it is turned sideways. As I mentioned in another post I picked up a 1968 WP convertible DW last week that was never used and I did take pictures and will get Jason to help me post them.
 
Looks like: NORMAL CYCLE, RINSE HOLD, CHINA CRYSTAL, HEAVY CYCLE.

 

Interesting that Whirlpool had the sense back then to mount the gasket on the door well in the tub rather than on the door itself as most makers would switch to in the late seventies/early eighties. Smart move.
 
Great Whirlpool Machine

What a wonderful dishwasher you have there. I grew up with one just like that, when we moved into our new home. My mom wanted a dishwasher and that's the model they bought. It ran for 13 years without a repair and washes great, I wouldn't get rid of it that's for sure. There is no tower in in the bottom rack, the machine has enough power to force the water up to feed the upper spray arm. And bajaespuma has most of the cycles correct, "Looks like: NORMAL CYCLE, RINSE HOLD, CHINA CRYSTAL, HEAVY CYCLE" but button D is Short Cycle not Heavy Cycle. In the China Crystal cycle you had air dry instead of heat dry as that was the only difference between it and Short Cycle. The cycle dial layout is as follows A/B W/R then C/D starts with R/W/R/R/D. The machine was a good one if abit loud. If I didn't have a spare machine I would get that one, I love the door handle on it as it holds a dishtowel too. I believe it was produced around 1965 - 1967, I still have the operating/installating instructions for it.

Doug
 

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