Conversations about Reverse Rack dishwashers seem to ignite such wildly opposing opinions that I thought I should get my hands on one and check it out.  Based on the research I’ve done it appears just about every component I might need is available on eBay.  The only thing I have not been able to find is a set of bearings for the pump module or a complete pump module.  Unfortunately, I gather that’s the part with a very high failure rate.

I picked up this little number for $25 on craigslist.  A friend picked it up for me and I’m amazed at how clean it is and how well it runs for a 31-year-old machine.  The seller had the original paperwork with a note stating it was installed 1/16/86.

The racks are in great shape.  I could only find one very tiny spot of rust on the lower rack.  I am intrigued by the loading pattern of this machine and can’t’ wait to fill it up with a few Bob Loads.  I had one briefly years ago but ended up giving it away before I got to form my own opinion.

We’ll see how it goes.

Does anyone by any chance have the service manual for this machine?  I have been able to find the Repair Parts list and I have the user manual from the previous owner.  I can’t seem to find a service manual anywhere. 

It’s not here on our site to download from what I can tell.  I’ve searched for both Jenn-Air and Maytag dishwashers.  Some things that should be obvious aren’t and I don’t want to break anything.  For example, I can’t seem to pull off the knob to clean under it.  I pull on it with a little bit of pressure but it doesn’t budge.  I don’t know if it’s stuck or I should be removing it another way.

I hope to run it through a complete cycle and see how it works today sometime.  I have to get an adapter to connect the water line and I’m good to go.  I ran it through a rinse and hold last night by manually adding water and it worked well and when it drained it really seemed to have a lot of force.  I had water splashing all over the place.

I had seen a You Tube video where someone had taken some 3 in 1 oil and put a few drops in what he called a weep hole in the wash pump to help extend the life of the bearings.  Do any of the experts here have any thoughts on this?

I'm still holding out for that elusive KDS-18.  I have a 15, 17, 20 and 21.  I'd love to get my hands on a nice 18 with the 3 level wash and the Quick Wash.  I love my 20 and 21 but all that waiting for water heating gets on my nerves sometimes.

I think you'll be happy with this machine - they do a great job and although loading them may seem challenging, you can get a lot of dishes in them.  I like the extra-large silverware basket and I am impressed by how well these dishwashers clean cutlery. 

One thing you may want to do is remove and clean the micro-filter.  It is accessible by removing the white guard unit below the lower wash arm. A bit of a chore but well worth the effort!

Great find!!

Beautiful find.  Only 25.  WOW

I think these machines were some of the best dishwashers ever made. I've repeatedly said that the original Maytag dishwasher, the top-loading portable, had racking and capacity better than any dishwasher I've ever used or seen. I'd like to find another one. I'm using a Kenmore Ultra-Wash machine as my daily driver and, although it is an excellent cleaner, the racking is disappointing and somewhat frustrating; if it had the silverware basket on the door like its brother Whirlpools that would be a distinct improvement but, unlike the Maytags which feature an upper rack that is a breeze to remove and replace, the upper racks on the Ultra Wash are held in place with very nasty and inflexible clips that tear and your fingers and break easily if handled too much. The reverse rack machines are wonderful for washing big loads with lots of oversized and odd-shaped stuff. The original top-loader could hold more plates, cups and glasses in one load than anything else ever made, probably even more than the Empress.

First impressions are good.  I ran through my first load of dishes and got good results.  I had only one reject but in looking back at how I loaded the machine I have to admit I think that one was my fault.  It was a bowl that was in the upper rack, front right corner.  I can see how I blocked the spray.  This load didn’t have anything really crusty but maybe today I’ll have something.  Not sure what I’ll get into today cooking wise.

The only real complaint I have is how noisy the machine is.  Granted I have it sitting on a cart with open sides and the bottom panel removed but man that thing is loud.  I don’t know how to tell if I have a machine with bad bearings.  Will I hear some kind of clanging sound or something?  It’s more of just “really noisy”, kind of whiny!!  What would bad bearings sound like?  I am tempted to take off the belt and see if the motor is noisy by itself.

Another question, on this machine is the heating element on during the dry cycle or does the Blower have its own heater?  The dryer unit is plastic and from what I can tell it has only a blower wheel so I’m wondering if the heating element comes on along with the blower and if so wouldn’t I have to be careful of any plastics I would put on the bottom rack?

One more question about water heating.  I understand how the Temp Boost works and I observed the light going off during the main wash until the water reached the correct temperature.  Does anyone know if the heating element is on during any of the other sequences or is it used only for the main wash if the Temp Boost is on?

Sorry for all the questions, if I can get my hands on a service manual I suspect I would find most of the answers.

Paul, thank you.  I will see if I can clean that filter out today.

Steve, you know me too well.  I did dirty just a few extra dishes so I could fill it up.  Today I hope to have something a little more challenging than the dishes I washed yesterday.  There are still belts available different places and they do come with a small packet of silicone grease.  The belt on my machine feels greasy so it has something on it.

Cameron, thanks you for the explanation.  I was able to take the knob off and clean under it.  I don’t think it’s been removed in the 30 years it’s been around.  It’s nice and shiny now.

Ken, I have wondered why this design didn’t stick around.  I’ve read many posts here on the reliability of these machines.  Is that why Maytag went away from them or was this design just too radical to be accepted by the mainstream?  I can see that it will take a little getting used to because it is so different, but I can also see how well the machine cleaned.  After the first Pre-Rinse I opened the door to see how much soil had been removed and most of it was already gone.  The user manual says to start with the Low Energy cycle which is one Main Wash and Two Rinses and see if that meets your needs and go up from there.  I think I could have done the Regular Wash cycle (One Pre-Rinse, Main Wash with Temp Boost and Two Rinses) and they would have come out sparkling.  I did the Dry Cycle without heat and the dishes were dry except for a plastic container.  When that fan kicked on it was blowing a lot of air through that vent. As the dry cycle progressed the air cooled down so when it was done I could handle the dishes immediately. 

The heating element is on throughout the cycle, including dry, unless power dry is selected off.  You can use temp boost with cool dry.  yeah, you looked like you blocked water to that bowl in front upper right corner.  I would have put what's blocking the water to that bowl that didn't get clean somewhere else.  I would have found a place for it and left the unclean bowl where it is and maybe one or two small items in front of the bowl that didn't get clean.   And congrats on what I consider the perfect reverse rack model. 

I've had 2 of them. Hated them.  They are super load, even when installed.  I can't imagine how loud yours must be uninstalled.  They were pretty good cleaners though.  I got in the habit of turning it on before bed, since the bedrooms were on the other end of the house. I never got the revers rack thing, to me it was just annoying.    

I will run my third load tonight.  I am happy with it so far.  It’s done a great job of cleaning everything I’ve put in.  I ordered some new springs because the door will flop open with an easy tap.  Once I get those installed I am going to pull out my KDS-20 and install this and see if it quiets it down enough to stand it running in the kitchen.

I did notice a very tiny drip coming from the Overflow switch area.  It’s maybe a tablespoon or so of water after a full cycle.  Parts are still available on eBay for that but not sure I’m going to deal with it.  I’ll wait and see if this becomes my daily driver or not.  Hubby really likes this machine for some reason (he normally couldn’t care less about any of this stuff) so it could become a daily driver for a while.  I’ve only noticed one thing that won’t fit so far that will fit in all my KA machines.  It’s one of those oversized screen things you put over a pan when you’re frying stuff.  I don’t use it often but did last night.

I did expect to hear opinions all over the map but so far this machine gets my vote if I can just quiet it down a bit.

Thank you!

Steve, that frying screen is 13” across and won’t fit on either side.  I measured there and it looks like 12" is the max that would fit (be nice boys!!).  The only way I would get it in is to put it on its side maybe over the top of the glasses or something.  I just washed it because it wasn’t really all that dirty.

Steven, initially I was afraid mine could be the wash tower too but I don’t think it is.  It’s not really making a clanging noise or anything like that.  It really is more of a whine.  I wonder if it’s the belt?  The belt feels greasy but who knows what they put on it.  What kind of grease would I use?  Do I just go to the store and look for “Silicone Grease”?  There are many belts available on eBay for under $10.  How would I know if I need a new one?

I also have a 21 put away and I really like it.  It's another Habitat find and STEVET really helped me getting that machine running like new.

I really like this Maytag so far but I don't think I'll ever like one more than I like the Kitchen Aid machines.  You can really feel the difference in the build quality.  I have to say though this Maytag really cleans well so far.