Vintage KitchenAid (Hobart), KDI-18

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rookie3001

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Jul 10, 2009
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Hello all -

I live in an apartment that is on the second floor of a house. The house has a lot of now vintage but then top of the line kitchen equipment, in cabinet and what not.

I was researching what dishwasher I had when I found your forum. It is a vintage KitchenAid (Hobart), KDI-18 and is the one pictured in the brochure as discussed in the archive link below.

Is this of interest to anyone? I need to replace it, it used to work well but now seems to function correctly but the dishes aren't as clean.

I'm in the NJ/NYC metro area if anyone is interested!



7-10-2009-21-05-42--rookie3001.jpg
 
IMHO it would be very wise for you to have it checked out to see why it isn't cleaning well. You will not find a new machine that you like as well as this KDI 18!!!!
 
I fix appliances for a living and agree with tlee818. Buying a new dishwasher is a expensive and you won't be impressed. Often the KA's just need the filter cleaned out. I have all the parts you can imagine. Do yourself a favor. Fix it. matt
 
Trust me listen to these guys on here.I have used alot of new dishwasher's and ever sence 2007 and the new engergy star mandates came in these new dishwashers dont work and dont last.That dishwasher is one of the finest ever made and cleans&Dries in 50 Mins what now takes 5 hours or so to do.That machine is made so well that Hobart who owned Kitchenaid at that time uses that same pump in your dishwasher now in there commcerical machines.You can get all the parts for it.My Aunt spent 1500 bucks on a new Kitchenaid and its 4 months old and she is getting rid of it and spent a fortune on two new Miele dishwashers.Fix it and get some stainless steel for it if the color bugs ya.
 
SImple problem..simpler fix!

The most common pump problem on any Kithenaid of that type was the washarm support spindle and bushing. You make it sound like the dishes aren't coming out as clean as they used to so I would remove the washarm and check the lower white bushing and make sure it has not loosened up and moved up to block the water from getting into the lower washarm. They didn't have a very hefty attachment point and after this many years, it may have let loose. You may get lucky and can just pop it back into position and be done with it. If not, you can buy a new support assembly and if Whirlpool obsoleted it, many of us on here can supply you with one and anything else you may need.
As far as stainless panels are concerned, they are still available and will certainly upgrade the look of your machine.
Your machine has the trim kit on it so you probably have additional panels behind the one you see. They were usually white, black, almond and harvest wheat. The black ones are sharp looking and are still a desired color.
Check it out and let us know.
Here are some pics of my Mother in Law's 21 series with the stainless trim panels which slip right into where your current panels are. The control panel is different from yours but you can get the idea.

7-11-2009-15-28-36--stevet.jpg
 
Vintage KitchenAid (Hobart), KDI-18

Hrmm, thanks for the advice everybody. I had no idea.

What's the best way to contact someone in the NJ/NYC area who would know best how/what is needed on this unit?

Thanks again.
 
Take the filter out of the bottom and make sure it is clean.Then get a cup I use a tall cheap plastic cup and fill it 2/3 with white viniger.Then put the cup in right side up like it sit's on your table full of tea or what not in the top rack.Then load your washer and run it as it washes the glass will fill and the vinger will be used over time through the complete wash.The pump in that is SOO simple but minerals can build up in any D.W.The arm just lifts off and then the screen.That Dishwasher as a 1/2 Hp motor that pushes 40+ gallons a min,I just replaced a motor in my best friends Frigidare precision wash dishwasher and it use's a Aquarium powerhead motor that I put in my pocket. Here is a diagram of your pump that might help.

7-13-2009-07-02-14--volsboy1.jpg
 
Vintage KitchenAid (Hobart), KDI-18

Thanks again guys. Please forgive my newbie ignorance as I've never ventured inside a dishwasher... or appliance really.

I removed the spray arms and the suction strainer and gave those a cleaning.

But I've attached a picture, at where I am worried about venturing any further on my own.

The brown ring is a pool of water. Should that be draining, no? Should I remove the screws on the pump cover and keep going?

Is this something I can attempt on my own?

Thanks again!

7-13-2009-18-17-48--rookie3001.jpg
 
Check the ring!

That wash arm support looks kind of tired. See the brass ring? Pull up on it and if the white plastic piece moves up then the support is bad. Just get another one and be done with it. It comes as a set of the top and bottom pieces and as the diagram above shows, it comes apart by removing the 4 screws that hold it all together and then remove the grey or black wash impeller.Just reassemble the pieces and you should be good to go assuming that the impeller isn't broken which would cause a drop in pump pressure and poor washing.

Judging from the picture, it almost looks like you have some steel wool coming out the side of the pump housing so maybe it is clogged up with debris of who knows what. So check the ring and bushing and if good, remove the top and see what is going on inside.

As far as the water goes, it should be nearly totally dry after pumping out on the drain cycle. You MUST make sure that the drain line is clear, and unblocked and that the sink drains well. If the drain is sluggish, the machine will not be able to pump all the water out. You can test this by removing the hose at the sink and letting it drain into a 5 gallon pail and then checking to see if the sump is dry. If it drains better, then your sink drain is clogged and needs to be fixed.
Also, the drain impellers on these pumps were improved by Hobart after they used them in the commercial WM5 series(now used on SR24 series)dishwashers and pump out more water so you may have to go that route as well if necessary.

BTW, you CANNOT buy this old style support anymore from Hobart. They want you to use the single arm style with the really heavy duty support and base. It is really quite costly so get the older style thru whirlpool or a local distributor.

Feel free to contact me if you get stuck. Email me if you need to and I will give you my phone number.
Actually that goes for anyone here who wants to call.
Steve
 
you are slipping my good friend!

Andrew, that washarm support will only fit the 16 and 17 series machines, not the 18 thru 20 series which our buddy here needs!
 
No surprise Here!

The part number you need is 4161480 which is the wash arm support top and the bottom is 4161427 and at sears.com they both show as discontinued. I will check one last time for you with my parts manager and see if we cant get one from one of the Hobart banches somewhere in the country. That part number is 185926. I will check and let you know.

Now dont despair, I am sure many of us have these in some box in our attics or basements or garages. I dont have brand new ones but have some good ones! So let me know what you find and want to do.
I will check back tomorrow.
 
Hey Guys...

I tried a Google search with all of those part numbers and then with all the various keywords, but could not find any results.

Then I went to multiple dishwasher or appliance "parts websites", and all of these numbers do come up discontinued and unavailable.

I had ordered the incorrect part off eBay, but thankfully I was able to cancel the order.

Would there be any benefit of removing the pump cover just to take a look? As you guys instructed, the white ring that is enclosed by the brass ring does move slightly.

Thanks for all your kind help and advice! My landlord wants to know if this machine is coming out or not... I would like to save it if I can!
 
Yes and no!

Yes remove the cover and see what is going on underneath it and check that bushing ZI told you about.

Now for the record, there are absolutely none of the older style(your style) washarm supports available at any Hobart office in the country. They superceded them to the newer style single washarm in the early 90's. If you wanted to convert your machine over, it would cost you over 400 dollars.

As I mentioned, I have some good, used ones availabe as do others on the forum so that seems the only option.

But do take it apart. It could just be clogged up!
 

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