Need Suggestions for my (Stainless Steel!) KDI-15

[daisy]

Hi, I'm the proud owner of a KitchenAid by Hobart Imperial Dual Cycle KDI-15 in stainless steel. I grew up with the Coppertone and was so excited to find this gem! I got it from a friend who reports that it stopped working years ago and they'd forgotten what exactly went wrong with it. I have bought the owner's manual download from Ephemera and am hoping to get it up and running but I need to hook it up to a water supply and do some diagnostics on it. My initial question at this point is, for those with experience: what should I be looking for--what tends to go wrong, and where do I get parts? I see from some rust I will at least be needing the black rubber gasket under the door to begin with. Thank you for any help you can offer! Pic of my pretty below! I've never seen the stainless and didn't know they made them!

 

[stan]

I'm no expert by any means!

I've never had a dishwasher old or new, but I would think some initial testing with a volt meter is in order.
Just a simple continuity test with machine unplugged to see if the volt meter moves as the machine is switched on and off, then watching meter while advancing timer.. Just to see
If it's belt driven, then check belt and see if it's on its pulleys.
Then let's see if someone comes along here that knows these machines

 

[stan]

I don't see

a timer dial control, so nor sure how cycle advances.
But you could still test with multimeter and switch on and off

 

[combo52]

Testing A KA KDI-15 DW

Remove any bits of crap from the sump [ loose screws, broken glass etc ] Hook the machine to a hot water source, install a 120 volt cord, and make some provision for the drain water. then poor a 1/2 gallon of water inside and try it out and see what happens, if it seems to be working add a little detergent to both compartments of the DWs dispenser.

 

Thats all there is to it, don't start taking it apart or even get out an ohm meter.

 

John L.

 

[mattl]

Good advice, only thing I'd add is after dumping the 1/2 gallon of HOT water in the machine wait 20-30 minutes.  This will soften up any seals that might be dried out. 

 

Someone suggested this when I got my vintage KA from the early 50's and I think it helped.

 

[combo52]

Dried Out Water Seals ????

It Probably will not hurt to let water stand a little longer [ unless the main seal is a little leaky and water is seeping into the motor while it is sitting ] but really seals drying out is now pretty much an old wives 'tale from the days when cork and plain rubber gaskets were commonly used in appliances.

 

This KA KDI-15 DW used neoprene for is critical rubber seals and these do not dry out, and if they have failed from environmental conditions they will not be revived by sitting and soaking, of the hundreds of old DWs and automatic washers we have tested and brought back to life I have never seen any real value in letting water sit in them and some possible harm in some cases.

 

John L.

 

[mattl]

Valid point.  Just repeating what was suggested to me.  One upside to letting it sit for a bit is you can detect any minor leaks at that point.