Quieting down an older dishwasher...

[jimb]

Is it possible to add sound deadening material to my Maytag KDS-17 dishwasher to quiet it down? I was thinking of pulling it out and adding some DynaMat and some insulation around the tub to knock the noise down.

Has anyone done this with success?

If so, what's the process?
Anything to watch out for?

Thanks!

Jim

 

[qsd-dan]

Maytag KDS-17

 

[rp2813]

Dan, Jim has both a Maytag and a Superba, but I'm guessing this inquiry involves the KitchenAid.

 

On later KitchenAid models they used thick rubberized sheets around the tank and inside the door to reduce noise.  Your machine should at least be wrapped with fiberglass insulation around the tank.  If there's none in the door or behind the lower access panel, you can install your own with some spray adhesive.  The higher the density the better.  I'd even go the extra step and install some behind the kick plate too.

 

Hobart didn't hype the 16 and 17 series machines as "a hurricane in a box" for nothing!

 

Ralph

 

[appnut]

I believe SteveT and a couple of others have done this successfully with their KA dishwashers. 

 

[firedome]

I like the KA noise...

reminds you that work is gettin' done!

 

[bwoods]

sound proofing

For one of my Maytag RR, I used spray undercoating/sound deadener (It was labeled for both) from AdvancedAuto, just for a fun afternoon project. I sprayed the entire outer tub, and the inside of the door panel (after removing the rinse aid injector and covering the detergent dispenser mechanism.) I also added some additional fiberglass insulation to the lower panel. Be careful though, you don't want to stop air circulation down there and overheat the motor.

It made a noticeable difference. There is still some water noise from the vent, but overall it quieted things down.

Part Express sells acoustic deadening sprays, which may be even more effective but are also much more expensive. I think I paid only around four or five dollars a can at AdvanceAuto, as it was on sale. Two cans did the tub and inner door. However, DON"T DO THIS IN THE HOUSE. You will stink up the joint and the fumes are not exactly healthful. I did it in the garage and still managed to smell up the house. Should have done it outdoors.

It dries hard in 24 hours and you can reinstall the dw then. For a few bucks, you can have a quieter machine. Personally DW sounds don't bother me, I was just experimenting.

I like the testosterone laden powerful of the Maytag RR. You know you have a real thoroughbred working in the kitchen.

I love the familiar and soothing sound of the wish wash of the older GE's with the underlying relaxing hum of the motor in the background. I used to turn it on at night and let it wash and it sort of soothed me to sleep. The sound of a friend in the kitchen washing my dishes for me. hehe

So if you want to subdue those hurricane force sounds of the Kitchen-Aid you might try the undercoating/sound deadening spray from AA. If you want to spend triple that amount go to PartsExpress.com. They also sell Dynamat sound deadening sheets, which cost an arm and a leg, but should greatly reduce resonance.

If you use the spray, make sure you have good protection of the timer, etc. from overspray. In fact, I would remove it if I were you. Place plenty of newspapers under the machine, also, when you spray it. You will get falling droplets as you spray.

Have fun!

 

[jimb]

Thanks!

Thanks for the helpful information. Yes, this is about the KDS-17. I'm going to yank it this weekend and layer it with a water heater blanket after applying Dynamat to any areas that need it. I'll also add some to the lower panel and line the cabinet in areas that won't impede airflow to the motor.

 

[qsd-dan]

If you remove the font door panel, you can stuff a good amount of insulation in the inner door area too. Just go around the detergent and rinse aid dispensers.

 

[mattl]

I did the insulation thing on my GE and it helped a lot but one of the best things I did was to cut up a thick Fernco fitting -- these are the heavy rubber type fittings to couple drain lines - and place a piece under each leg of the machine.  this helped decouple the unit from the floor and reduce noise transmission even more.

 

[cyclemonitor]

on a Whirlpool Dura wash

I used the heaviest self stick floor tile from Home Depot.
It sells for $1.09 a sq ft.
It can be cut into various sizes to fit where you need. I applied it with the self stick side and secured it with HVAC foil tape. It can be applied to the back side of the door panels and a layer of white Manvel insulation.
It may be over kill...but it worked for me.