Hi Everyone - I have just installed a Kitchen-Aid KDSM-21 and it's leaking. It's fine until it switches to drain and then it starts leaking from around the connection that leads to the check valve. I've tried a few ideas but I'm stumped and I'm hesitant to take it completely apart as I might destroy any other NLA seals along the way. Here's where I'm at...
Drain hose is correct (5/8" ID rubber). The hose clamp on the drain outlet is nice and tight. The hose from the drain outlet is also not cracked.
Check valve is functioning with no obstructions.
It only starts to leak when it goes into drain.
I've disassembled everything down to the food waste disposer and everything seems fine
The machine did stop draining and shut off once with water still in the bottom of the tank. I reset the cancel program and it pumped out the rest fine. The other dozen times I've put it through rinse/hold it didn't seem to have a problem.
No air gap in my sink plumbing
I've attached a link to a video below (may still be uploading). If you have any ideas I would be really be grateful as this machine otherwise seems in great shape
That hose clamp looks like it is really, really tight so maybe you cracked the plastic nipple when tightening it. I am using the editorial "you" because worm type clamps were not original to those machines. Perhaps you or someone else at some earlier time replaced the clamp with what is there now or assumed that was where the leak was and tightened down the clamp to stop the leak.It does look like the housing itself may have a hairline crack in that drain area.
Remove the drain hose from the pump housing and disconnect the wiring harness and the tube that supplies the upper wash arm and remove the whole pump so you can see if that area is, in fact, damaged. If it is, You could "try" fixing it with water proof epoxy on the outside otherwise you will need to replace the housing.
It won't usually leak if the machine is washing as there is negative pressure on that area as the way it is designed, the drain impeller is running in a direction that would pull water and air back into the dishwasher, thus the check valve which prevents this. So in essence, while the machine is washing, it is pulling some air thru the small crack but not anything too significant.
I would not run the machine until you fix the leak. It won't get better and probably won't get worse, but you risk causing damage to the area in and around the machine.
Comes to the Rescue!
