Need help/advice--front door leak on 1961 Kitchenaid Superba dishwasher

[dekedickerson]

Hello there Appliance experts--

I posted a few months ago about restoring a 1950's Hotpoint dishwasher. That project was put on hold when I found a shockingly mint 1961 KitchenAid Superba Varicycle on my local craigslist for 200 bucks. The guy I bought it from said it had been in service until recently when his wife decided to remodel.

The machine looked virtually brand new, on the underside, and inside as well. It had the stainless steel finish, which matched all my other vintage appliances (I have a 1957 ranch house in the San Fernando Valley of LA, with 99% original everything).

I installed the washer and fired it up for the first time last night. The installation was successfull, no leaks from the water intake or the water out, and the machine ran great and the dishes were absolutely spotless!

The problem is that the sucker is leaking --not a lot, but a little bit-- from the bottom edge of the front door. The seal that goes around the top and edges on the inside of the door looks fine, and examining the way that the door closes, it would seem that there is a metal "latch" of sorts on the bottom edge where two folded pieces of metal meet up from the door and the tub frame and join a very firm connection. But still, it's leaking.

Any advice? I'm wondering if there was originally some kind of rubber seal on the bottom edge of the door where the two folded metal pieces join and form the "seal." Currently, along the bottom edge, it's just a metal meets metal connection. Or, if there is some other cause for the leak. Even though it's a 54 year old machine, everything on this puppy looks really good, and the rubber parts feel flexible and pliable.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Deke Dickerson

 

[chachp]

I had the same problem.

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I had the same problem and in my case it was these things I have circled on the picture.  Someone on here can tell you exactly what they are called and possible help you with them.  I also replaced the Door Gasket to be on the safe side but if I remember correctly the leak stopped before I replaced the gasket.  The gasket part number is 4160249 and they do pop up on eBay from time to time.  There isn't one there right now.
</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The leak was very small and in my case came out of both corners but just a little bit.</span>

 

[dekedickerson]

Thanks Chachp! I'm jealous yours still has the "small items basket" mine is missing! ;-)

 

[appnut]

A 1961 Supoerba would be a KDS14.  Yours is a KDS15 and the dark color facia of the control panel  and buttons makes it toward the end of the 15 series run.  Which would be more like a 1966 to 1968 KDS15.  That's a beautiful control panel paired with the stainless steel front panels.  I cannot imagine that wouldn't look wonderful even in a modern remodel.  His wife's careless thought was your super gain.  Congratulations. 

 

[chachp]

Small Items Basket

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Here is one on eBay that going for a pretty good price.  I would bet someone on here has an extra they would share as well. </span>

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KitchenAid-Dishwasher-Small-Items-Basket-1980s-Approx-8-5-by-3-5-/111620360655?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19fd1789cf

 

[toploader55]

Hey Deke

Email me your address and I'll send you one. I think I have 3 kicking around.

Beautiful Machine.

 

[chachp]

I meant to tell you.......

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">If you look closely at the picture I posted you can see where I had placed some very thin weather stripping over the gasket while I was waiting to find a replacement gasket.  It's the kind you buy at the big box store with adhesive on one side.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">You can try that and see if it helps.  There is a way to adjust the door latch so it closes a little tighter but I couldn't get the screws on mine loose and I was afraid I'd strip them so I went this route until I had a new gasket.  It has something to do with removing the latch and putting a metal washer or two between the latch and the door itself to give it a tighter seal.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The gasket and those things on the front of the rack solved my door leaking issues.  I hope it does for you.  That's a great looking machine.</span>

 

[stevet]

Gaskets and latch adjustment

As Ralph pointed out, you should replace the gasket on your machine. While you say it is in good shape, the gaskets would often dry up and harden and then give you some small leaks mostly around the sides of the door but they can leak anywhere along the gasket and still show up on the floor. Take Eddie up on one of the 3 he may have.

Having replaced dozens of these on the Hobart machines, I preferred using a clip on each screw so that the gasket is held tightly in place and cannot compress down as much. There are 24 of them and they can get pricey but it may be worth it in the long run. The part number is 024677 and they are 2.44 each and come in bags of ten. Thousands available from Hobart. You can get them at your local Hobart office, at the Hobart E-Store and here is an ebay listing for a few pennies less.

If you want to try to adjust the door latch, start by loosening the 4 screws that hold it in place. A good Phillips head screwdriver with a good tip will usually get them out. If not, a few shots with an impact driver and a sharp tip should do it.
Remove the top screws one at a time and add one or two thin washers behind the latch frame and tighten the screws and see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't, then add one or two to the bottom screws and repeat as needed. If the handle seems like it is really trying hard to lock, then just replace the gasket as the old one does not have any more give to give!
That way you can get some more life out of the gasket you have.

If you go the new gasket route, soften it up in hot water and then place it on the door and put the metal support frame inside it. Start with the very top middle screw and then work it down one side adding the clips as you go along. Gently curve it around the top so it is smooth and without kinks. Then secure the side.Repeat for the other side. You should not have too much extra at the ends to trim,but if you must, then leave just a 1/8-1/4 inch on the bottom of each side. That should do it.
Good Luck and keep us posted.

BTW, the coarse filter in your 2nd picture is upside down, Once turned over, you will see how nicely it fits the contours of the sump.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hobart-00-024677-Clip-Door-Seal-Package-of-10-/321659231600?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae4625d70

 

[dekedickerson]

Thank you for all your suggestions! I think I fixed it...

I want to thank all of you for your suggestions and advice! I WILL put a new gasket on it and will be emailing toploader55 right after I post this to get one from him. BUT...I actually fixed my problem a different way! I spent some time on the internet researching Kitchenaid Superba door leaks, and someone on another forum said "don't use modern dishwasher detergents, they make too many suds and that may be your problem."

I had been testing out my machine using some of those modern "pod" detergent things, just because that's what I already had here at the house. I decided to get some regular Cascade powder and some Finish Jet-Dry rinse liquid. That seems to have fixed the problem, just by switching detergents! It now works perfectly and does not leak....

Thanks again, I'm sure I'll have other questions for this forum at some point! Really appreciate the advice.

Deke

 

[combo52]

Leaking Dishwasher

Well I can't say I told you so, but when I read the post that was the first thing that came to mind.

 

Whenever  we get calls on any DW new or old that is leaking a little around and under the door in front Etc the first thing I ask the user is to keep and eye on the DW as it runs and when they see dripping I suggest they open the door and see if there is suds in the machine.

 

It can happen as you found out from detergent pods because of the wetting agent, and it most often happens from accidentally getting a little hand washing detergent on dishes before they go in the DW. We see this problem many times EVERY week.

 

Glad you figured out the problem and hope you continue to get great performance out of this DW.

 

John L.