Need bottom of door gasket for KDI-18

[pliney]

Can I buy from someone or can you point me to where to find a gasket for my KDI - 18 Imperial? I decided to replace my KA Custom 21 that kept trying to drain with this one I was given as a back up. Unfortunately, once we got it hooked up, water started coming out the bottom of the door. A quick search found a broken blue gasket. I checked my Custom 21 and a slightly newer Kitchen aid and 2 other ISE machines I have for back up and they don't have gaskets. I guess the design is just slightly different that they don't need one? In any case, I tried removing the gasket completely with more water coming out. So I'd love to find a replacement. The other question is, what is the best way to install it? Through the side where you can just see the hinge mechanism without taking anything a part or by taking the whole door a part. I broke the gasket further when I removed it, so I'm guessing it may not be that easy to put a new one in. It's a great machine, looks hardly used so I'd love to get it running. Otherwise, I guess it's on to the slightly newer KA and hope it works.

 

[pliney]

Do I really need a gasket after all?

Update: I realized today I had forgotten to put the bottom washer arm back in after washing up the machine. So when I tried running a batch with the arm in, it didn't leak. I'm hoping that maybe I don't even need a gasket, though I did find some available at some random stores on line. I looked at the door design of my other two vintage KitchenAid dishwashers and 2 ISEs I have and all of them have the same door design with no gasket. Did Kitchenaid decide to do away with the gasket from the 18 to the 21 which I have that doesn't have a gasket? I'm hoping that if it doesn't leak now, and my Custom 21 never did, that it never will. Should I be worried running it without a gasket? Thanks.

 

[DADoES]

 
Running with the lower spray arm off can definitely cause a leak through the air vent at bottom of the door .... the water from the pump flume spews outward toward the vent instead of upward through the arm spray holes.

 

[qsd-dan]

Kitchenaid sporadically installed lower gaskets on their 18-20 dishwashers. Some have them, others do not. One of my 2 KDS-18s has one and my KDS-19 has one. Unsure about 21+ series dishwashers as reversing motors and singles rinses don't appeal to me.

The lower washarm most definitely needs to be in place for proper leak free operation as well as a proper functioning wash arm and upper wash arm support. There should also be two clips at the front corners of the lower rack to prevent leaks. I use 19+ series clips as they're larger and do a better job shielding water away from the lower corners of the door (most likely areas to leak on these dishwashers).

Cute girl.

 

[pliney]

Thank you for the reassurance. It's been working great! Love the 20 minute wash!

 

[pliney]

Machine now stuck in drain mode

After about a month of good use, the machine suddenly is stuck in drain mode, trying to drain through the whole cycle. It did run through the cycle because the soap door opened. And at the end of the cycle it shut off. Any ideas where to start to try to diagnose this? It looked barely used when I put it in, but I realize it is still an old machine and parts can wear out with time.

 

[rp2813]

 

 

Sounds to me like a solenoid is stuck.  Between that and a weird timer problem (which I can't quite get my head around), the solenoid would be the lesser of the two, I think.

 

[combo52]

KDI-18 Stuck In Drain Mode

Most likely something stuck in the valve holding it open, most likely a piece of broken glass, a tooth pick, or small piece of plastic etc.

Remove the DV and inspect [ can you blow through it ?, it should always be closed ]

Then disassemble and clear, it could have a bad rubber valve seal, in which case replace the valve, a stuck solenoid is very unlikely, replace the valve if so.

John L.

 

[pliney]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll try looking at the DV (I'm assuming that means drain valve) but can you tell me where it is at? Do I get at it from inside the dishwasher or from underneath? Is it where the drain hose hooks into the machine? Thanks, Melissa

 

[combo52]

Drain valve=DV,  Under the machine, And yes.

 

Let us know what you find.

 

John L.

 

[pliney]

Thank you very much. I'll report back soon.

 

[pliney]

Finally was able to get to the dishwasher tonight. I didn't find anything blocking the drain valve. It opened and closed fine manually and I could see all the way through when I opened it. I checked all the connecting hoses and my drain hose. Everything seemed clear. I put it all back together and still it kept trying to drain. I checked my other KA and ISE dishwashers in storage and none had the same part. If I could find and order this part, how sure might I be that that would solve the problem? Anything else to check? Tired of hand washing dishes so ready to swap out for the next back up in storage but would love to get this beauty going again. THanks, Melissa

 

[stevet]

Replace the drain valve

Melissa,
While the drain valve on your machine was designed for a long service life, they do sometimes fail.
You should hear the characteristic loud click when the valve opens to drain the machine and that happens at the end of each segment of the cycle. If you hear it as soon as you select a cycle, then the timer is likely at fault.

However, these valves had a small rubber stopper inside to stop the water from flowing out of the machine when it is in wash or rinse mode. That is the most likely item that failed in the valve. You would need to remove the valve from the hoses and look inside of it as you move the lever and see if it is still there and fully intact.
You may be able to purchase the new valve from one of the larger parts distributors, or from one of us on the forum. Once replaced, your machine should last another 40 years!

Oh, and by the way. your spare machines that you mentioned, used a reversing motor to drain the water out of them and had the blue check valve to allow the water to drain out but not flow back into the machine when it was running. They have a rubber flapper inside that acts as a stopper and they too can dry out with lack of use and cause problems later on.

 

[pliney]

Thank you everyone for helping me try to trouble shoot the issue. Steve, when I turn the dial to normal wash then press the button for normal wash, I hear the click of the drain. This sounds like what you were describing as a possible timer issue. The valve from what I can tell, looks good and intact. I filled it with water and it held it tight (though I realize it would likely be under pressure or more water than the little bit the valve stem could hold after I removed the hose. I also tried blowing through the valve and couldn't get it to budge. I can manually make it open just fine though. If a timer issue, any other way to see if that is the problem? If I open the control panel area, would I see anything noticeable? Can replacement timers be found? All my other KA and ISE DWs are newer so I'm not thinking the timer would be the same. Thanks for the info that the rubber flapper on those DWs might dry out. Anything I could put on them, oil or something? Thanks so much for your help!