To repair or Not to repair??

[iheartmaytag]

That is our question.
My beloved Kitchenaid KUDS30IXWH8 is dying.
Saturday it was washing a load running along at it's whisper quiet paces as always and all the sudden it sounded like the cat got caught in the disposer. I figured that there must have been something hit the chopper so I stopped the cycle. Unloaded the machine and took it apart. There was a few things in the chopper, but nothing to cause the noise that I was hearing.

Before putting everything back together I checked as far into the pump as I could by turning it by hand making sure there wasn't anything in the chamber. It appeared all clear. Put it back together. and the cat still seemed stuck in it somewhere. So I think, maybe something was pulled into it from underneath, never know a mouse or something. Took off the access panel--nope.

I contacted service, was basically told, it's the pump, common with older Whirlpool machines, (it's eight). Basically diagnosed as dead, it has lived it's life cycle and replace it.

I don't wanna. So my delima. If I can order the new pump motor for around $250-$300, and it seems pretty easy to replace. Right? wrong. Part is not available. So I look at listings for new Kitchenaid, I honestly love the one I have. Anyway, they are out of stock.

My little mind feels that I can repair, and even if I only get another 4 years or so, I can justify it. Whereas another $1200, if you can find one in stock. I just feel so wasteful. Everything is perfect on that machine, no rusty racks, no chiped paint. I had an issue a few years ago, that was more A&E's problem than the machine.

I am leaning towards repairing and keeping a nice stainless steel interior machine, but am going to venture to Lowe's tonight to have a look. The lady I talked to on the phone is pushing LG, that will not happen. I'm so upset, I love that machine.

 

[bradfordwhite]

There is probably something in the food chopper.  Or the food chopper simply needs to be replaced.  It sounds like the motor is fine.

 

It's not unusual for a small piece of glass, or a piece of bone to fall in and if it sits in there just right, it can make quite the racket.

https://www.kitchenaidparts.com/Shop-For-Parts/a9b121c36d1137608/Model-KUDS30IXWH8-Kitchenaid-Dishwasher-Pump-Parts

 

[DADoES]

 
Pump-and-sump assembly seems in stock at this source.

P/N WPW10780877

 

[iheartmaytag]

That doesn't look like the right one

I would have to check the numbers, but by eyeballing doesn't look right.

Bradfordwhite
Nothing in the chopper, I removed it and cleaned a piece of paper label, and a bean, otherwise it was clean.

I looked at a new machine at Lowes, big nope. Ordering the part from repair clinic.

Dadgumit!!. I expect 25 years of service out of something that costs two weeks pay.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Is it easy to remove the pump assem. from the machine?

If so, maybe you will get it out, can hold it over a sink and shake it a bit, perhaps something will fall out or you'll hear something rattling around inside. It just seems like an easy but tricky and inexpensive repair.

I hope it is fixable.

 

[DADoES]

 
Parts look-up at several sources reference WPW10780877, including RepairClinic.

The drain pump is not included with the sump/circulation pump assembly, so must be transferred from the old assembly.

The circulation pump WPW10239401 is also sourced as a separate part but typically is near the same cost (or more at some sources) as the full assembly.

ETA:  Not to be overly touting Parts Dr but I recently ordered some items on evening of Sun 1/2 at standard ground shipping, received on Wed 1/5.  They ship from multiple warehouse locations depending on which is nearest and where items are in-stock, but other vendors may also do that.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Are you positive the sound is in fact coming from the pump?
Could it be a wash arm hitting something when turning?
Could it be a wash arm mounting that is worn out?

Also, if you decide to replace a part, you don't necessarily have to buy new.
I've had good experience buying used parts on Ebay.

I recently bought a GE washer drain pump for $16 including S/H. And it works great. I've bought other stuff as well. The sellers tend to be taking used appliances and breaking them up for the parts to sell so they sell with a warranty.

For example, Yesterday, I saw a price for your drain pump around $125.
And this one is listed as brand new on Ebay.

It's very easy to input your model number, look for a schematic parts list on line, and find the part number(s), and then use the part number in Ebays search.

 

[henene4]

The part KitchenAid themselves list is WPW10757217 for the pump motor alone including impeller.

That is the same price across all WP direct sites at 299$ and change.

Most commonly known part sites have it for 200$ and change.

Just straight up googling and scrolling a bit reveals a site listing it at 112$, though I don't know how much to trust them - they appear to only take credit card, so I would not order without being sure your credit card company manages charge backs for no show items well:
https://www.partsips.com/motor-pump-part-wpw10757217

Otherwise eBay has many listings for open box or pre-owned ones at the same price.

At 300$, I wouldn't go with a repair.
It's one of these things where the repair itself is just at the border of being financially viable.
But then you put in the 300$ part and a year later the board or such gives out.
Just to much to risk for being burned in the end - but that's just me, you might see that another way.

At 100-150$ that's a different story.
Even if it runs just another year broken down to the yearly cost of ownership that is just about how much a new machine costs.
And in your case it will just be the recirculation pump/motor with 90% certainty.

 

[dermacie]

My previous Kitchenaid was finally retired last year after my kitchen was remodeled at the age of 20.  It was done.  I over the years had replaced two control panels which were over 150 each.  I never hesitated to make the repairs because I knew I wouldn’t be happy with its replacement.  P.S I don’t really like my new dishwasher, but I’m positive that it was the best choice,but they aren’t made like my old one.

 

[DADoES]

 
WPW10239401 is the bare circulation motor without the pump or capacitor.

WPW10757217 is the circulation motor with pump and capacitor.

WPW10780877 is the sump/filter assembly with the circulation motor (pump and capacitor) included and mounted ... but without the separate drain pump included.

I've ordered twice from Parts IPS. May 2019 successful.  June 2020 failure.  All items (for a 20yo Neptune-match dryer) were said to be NLA, AFTER placing the order and charging my ccard.  They did immediately cancel the order and credit the charge but did not send an advisory email.  I found that the order status was tagged Canceled with no explanation.  No reply to emails.  Several telephone attempts got an answer on the 2nd day.  Parts Dr had all of it.

I've ordered 13 times from Parts Dr, no trouble.

 

[henene4]

That's weird

partsdr has the WPW10780877 listed at just shy of 140$:
https://partsdr.com/part/w10780877-asm-sump-motor

If partsdr has a better reputation and it's just like 30$ more for the entire thing preconnected I'd go with that.
And I would feel very comfortable at that price to make the repair.

It's weird that very few US parts stores online offer PayPal.
PayPal isn't the best to work with from a seller standpoint due to fees, but as a customer that's pretty much a no thought thing to use if you order from a less than well known source.
Never had an issue getting a charge back from them. They pay for return shipping.

Edit:
I made a mistake there. I removed a statement and link that I got mixed up.

Sorry for the wrong info![this post was last edited: 1/20/2022-10:18]

 

[DADoES]

 
Parts Dr did have WPW10239401 photos as the motor with pump and capacitor, same as photos for WPW10757217.  Other sources showed WPW..401 as the bare motor and WPW..217 as with pump/capacitor.

I had a virtual chat a few mins ago with Parts Dr to check on the details.  The photos that were on ...401 are no longer, so apparently that's an admission that they had wrong photos on it?  The rep ended saying ..217 is an "assembly and less cost" and ...401 is "just the motor."  I didn't discuss WPW10780877 (motor and sump) with him.

 

[combo52]

I would fix the dishwasher if you could do it yourself

This is a very common motor assembly and when the seal starts to go the motor gets very noisy.

You can probably even find good used ones on eBay for not that much money.

Too bad you don’t live closer I would give you one we have been coming out of our ears.

John L