old kitchen aid not cleaning properly

[daisy]

My old kitchen aid dishwasher is not washing the bottom rack properly. The detergent is not getting rinsed out of the holder, and the bottom dishes are not getting clean. the upper spray arm is working fine.

When i remove the bottom spray arm (it looks like a plus sign, made of metal and just lifts up) i can see the round removable filter (which looked like it had a napkin shredded in it--i removed and cleaned), and the other housing area that i can't lift out.

the filter on the housing has largely disintegrated, and looks caked in lime. i cant see where the water comes out to see if it is plugged up.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[stevet]

Short , Sweet and Simple solution

The wash arm support that the 4way Hydrosweep sits on is worn out and needs to be replaced. Once the fine mesh is ripped or torn, you lose a stage of filtration and most of the time, the small white part under the white flat pat the arm rotates on comes loose and blocks the water to the lower arm, thus your dishes don't get clean. Almost all the wash water is then directed to the upper arm.

There are some members here who may have some iof the supports available for purchase. I am sure they will chime iun in a little bit.

Also, do run some dishwasher cleaner in the machine so you can get rid of some of the limne scale that has built up. It does no good to have it inside the machine. I have used Lemi-Shine cleaner and it worked very well in a machine that was probably worse than yours.

BTW, Here is your picture, right side up.

 

[lightedcontrols]

First of all...

...go to Lowe's or Wal-Mart and get yourself a box of Lemi-Shine machine cleaner. Pour the entire box (all three packs) in the bottom of the dishwasher and start the cycle. Let the machine wash for about 3 or 4 minutes and then stop the machine and let it sit overnight. The next morning, let the machine finish the cycle. Call Larry at Modern parts in Parma Ohio and see if he has the sump cover that you need, if you can't find the part at your appliance parts dealer. The filter screens at the top of this cover are important. Use the Lemi-Shine drying agent and your machine won't get all crusty again. If your dishes are hazy from hard water scale, they also make a crystals that can be used in the main wash compartment of the dispenser and will rid your dishes, cookware, and glasses of the hazy film. Best of luck. Mark

 

[daisy]

old kitchen aid

Thanks so much for the quick response! a few follow up questions:

1. My local hardware store, which i always like to use first, doesn't carry lemi-shine, but carries dishwasher magic. will that work?

2. do you know what the small white part that needs to be replaced is called?

again, many thanks.

 

[stevet]

Give it a shot!

Use the dishwasher cleaner you mentioned but lemishine is available at Walmart and at most grocery stores in the dishwasher detergent area.

You cannot replace the wash arm support piecemeal. It was always available as a complete assembly. However, Whirlpool, which has owned Kitchenaid since 1986 has not seen fit to provide parts for any of the older Kitchenaids of the Hobart design. Kind of forces them to be discarded and force consumers to buy something that can never compare to the vintage machines. That is why you will have to see if anyone has one nere or see if it is available on Ebay.

 

[daisy]

thanks again!

yes, i spoke with Larry at Modern Parts, and he explained that the assembly i need is no longer available. i'll check back here to see if anyone has any other ideas, and will certainly look on ebay.

again, thanks for your help, i'm glad i found the site!

 

[chachp]

I think you need part 4163370

These come up fairly often on eBay if no one here has a spare.  I had the same issue with mine and it is a very easy fix.  Just remove a couple of screws and replace with the new one and your machine will get back to providing those stellar results.   Just have to find one and you will.

 

Watch eBay.  Looks like one just sold a couple of weeks ago. 

 

[coldspot66]

I do have a used one, if you can't find new. You can have it for the cost of shipping. I live in Plymouth.

 

[christfr]

make sure she is filling all the way.. had that prob last year would not clean or even wash the detergent from the cups till if figured out it was only filling half way a new valve and all was fine

 

[cuffs054]

Not quite as fancy but UNsweetened lemon Kool Aid will get rid of a lot of the hard water scale

 

[daisy]

success

I used a bottle of dishwasher magic, and I lifted up the shoulder so that it wouldn't block the water. It is working much better now. I am looking to replace the filter, and will keep an eye on the shoulder to make sure it doesn't slip down again. Thanks again to all for the help!

 

[stevet]

Should be sure of the "should"er

Daisy, the white shoulder should remain down in the wash arm support and should not come up which will block the water from coming out of the lower wash arm. Just want to make sure that you have got it right.

 

[philr]

Stevet,

I also have an issue with an Hydrosweep that won't turn on a KDC-7. The support is brass on mine. It does turn relatively easily (freely) by hand but it doesn't move with water pressure. The filter is clean and free of any scale but the plastic on the surface that contacts the brass support and brass ring is slightly worn. Since this is a single wash arm, I thought it would have more than enough water pressure to turn but it doesn't.

I haven't tested my KDS-58 yet but I bet it might have some trouble moving too as the wash arm's bushing seems worn (the 18 has the same style white plastic support as Daisy's washer).