Thread Number: 47268
Re-commissioning a KDS-16. |
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Post# 686650   7/1/2013 at 11:41 (3,950 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)   |   | |
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I recently picked up a stainless steel front Kitchenaid KDS-16 dishwasher from the scrap area behind my local version of the Re-Store. It looks to be in pretty nice shape. It's the older version without a soak cycle (see, I've been doing my research via the Super Searchalator).
I cleaned it up a fair bit and poured hot water into the bottom of the tub and let it sit for awhile. There was a water spot on the floor under the left side of the motor, but I am uncertain as to whether that would be from a dry gasket that has swollen and re-sealed or if it's a bigger problem. I put power to it, and it turned on and cycled as it should. It sounded nice and smooth and the water roaring through the machine sounded as if someone was flailing around inside with a pressure washer. I noticed there is what appears to be a small corrosion hole in the heater duct where it meets the tub. Thee is some mineral staining on the bottom of the tub which appears to be indicative of some water leaking from here, but I couldn't see any water leaking during my test. Can I get a new heater duct or can I repair this one? Should I even be concerned? How does a 16 series compare to other KA machines? I've never lived with any KA before, and I'm looking forward to trying this one out. Dave |
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Post# 686660 , Reply# 1   7/1/2013 at 12:38 (3,950 days old) by william637 (Damp pants? Not a chance. )   |   | |
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Post# 686745 , Reply# 2   7/1/2013 at 22:16 (3,950 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)   |   | |
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My blower works, but I think my heater might be dead. I'll check it and see, but I might just be able to use the whole heater and duct assembly.
There is no leak by the pump! Unfortunately, I am getting a tiny dribble of water on either side of the door, mostly on the left. There is also a sizable accumulation of greasy scrud along the front of the tank and the bottom door seal. I'll try cleaning that and see if it makes a difference. I filled the machine from a bucket and ran through an entire light wash cycle, and it worked out well. Dave |
Post# 686754 , Reply# 4   7/1/2013 at 23:42 (3,950 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)   |   | |
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I reconditioned a KDS-16 without the soak cycle about 6 months ago. I find it to be a decent machine. Loading the "one armed wonders" so that things in the upper rack get clean took some getting used to. When you say that it's leaking by the door - do you have the lover rack with the silverware basket in the machine? I know that mine leaked little from the same spot until I put the lower rack and silverware basket back in. Dishes help even more. Having played with later KDS-16s and KDS-17s WITH the soak cycle, that is a feature that I would like to have and may end up converting mine at some point. I don't really find that there is much difference in the cleaning ability between the "Heavy" & "Normal" cycles. What I will do sometimes is do a "Rinse & Hold" cycle, stop the machine after the first drain and add detergent. Then I will let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then run it through a "Normal" cycle. It's the poor man's "Soak and Scrub"! |
Post# 686792 , Reply# 5   7/2/2013 at 06:57 (3,950 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)   |   | |
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Put my KDS55 back in service for awhile.
They clean well, but yes the "One Armed Wonder" racking does need attention. I just love the nostalgia of the "Roar" of the pump as the machine is filling. Ah, the Good Old Days when things were built here in the U.S.A with pride. The door is so heavy, you here that "Clunk" when it closes. |
Post# 687480 , Reply# 6   7/5/2013 at 15:34 (3,946 days old) by rollermatic (cincinnati)   |   | |
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i personally love the 15, 16,17 model kitchenaids more than any other kitchenaid ever made! i don't care if it only has one spray arm, that's it's charm and nostalgia in my book!
i always keep one up and running in my kitchen to handle the daily loads i may not want to be in some of my other old machines that i use more delicately. toploader, what a beautiful kds55 model in that pic! i agree the whole fun of running it is to hear the pump as it is coming up to prime during the fill phase! i see the crap we sell at work, machines that are all plastic and take 3 hours to do a load and i just laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!! |