Hello All:

I have a six year old KitchenAid Dishwasher KUDR01TJBL0, serial
FL5125226.

It is a very mediocre product, but that is a subject for another day.

What I am experiencing is flaking of black, crusty coatings from the
heating element. It seems to be cracking off and blasting itself
throughout the dishwasher.

I have researched this issue, and it seems that the 'round' elements
are the issue, and Whirlpool has an upgrade kit.

So, kind experts, is this all I need to fix my problem? Is it a job I
can tackle in a Saturday afternoon, or shall I call a service company?

Finally, do you recommend that I cut my loss on this very mediocre
product and invest in a new Bosch dishwasher?

Sincere thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

On Feb 24, 9:50*am, billccm wrote:
Hello All:

I have a six year old KitchenAid Dishwasher KUDR01TJBL0, serial
FL5125226.

It is a very mediocre product, but that is a subject for another day.

What I am experiencing is flaking of black, crusty coatings from the
heating element. It seems to be cracking off and blasting itself
throughout the dishwasher.

I have researched this issue, and it seems that the 'round' elements
are the issue, and Whirlpool has an upgrade kit.

So, kind experts, is this all I need to fix my problem? Is it a job I
can tackle in a Saturday afternoon, or shall I call a service company?

If you have to call a service company, I'd think strongly about just
buying a new dishwasher. Replacing the heating element should not be
very difficult, but of course it all depends on your skills. I've
never seen a heating element with a black coating. All the ones I've
seen have looked similar to the metal element you'd find in an oven or
water heater.



Finally, do you recommend that I cut my loss on this very mediocre
product and invest in a new Bosch dishwasher?

I've seen plenty of people in here bitching about Bosch's. As much
as any other dishwasher, many of which cost a lot less. If you want
to evaluate new ones, try consumer reports.




Sincere thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

"billccm" wrote in message
I have researched this issue, and it seems that the 'round' elements
are the issue, and Whirlpool has an upgrade kit.

So, kind experts, is this all I need to fix my problem? Is it a job I
can tackle in a Saturday afternoon, or shall I call a service company?

Finally, do you recommend that I cut my loss on this very mediocre
product and invest in a new Bosch dishwasher?

Sincere thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

I'm not sure why you consider the KA to be mediocre. Mine is excellent and
I'd buy another in a second. Dishes come out sparkling. Do you have
extremely hard water? Use a rinse aid? Hot enough water?

Anyhow, replacing the element is a good Saturday job. The hardest part is
contorting yourself around the appliance as you get older. I've never heard
of flaking elements, but I guess it is possible.

As for getting a Bosch, they have been lambasted on this group for the
frequency of repairs. My local dealer will get you one, but no longer has
them in the showroom because they are the cause of too many service calls.

billccm wrote in :

Hello All:

I have a six year old KitchenAid Dishwasher KUDR01TJBL0, serial
FL5125226.

It is a very mediocre product, but that is a subject for another day.

What I am experiencing is flaking of black, crusty coatings from the
heating element. It seems to be cracking off and blasting itself
throughout the dishwasher.

I have researched this issue, and it seems that the 'round' elements
are the issue, and Whirlpool has an upgrade kit.

So, kind experts, is this all I need to fix my problem? Is it a job I
can tackle in a Saturday afternoon, or shall I call a service company?

Finally, do you recommend that I cut my loss on this very mediocre
product and invest in a new Bosch dishwasher?

Sincere thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

The upgrade kit is available for 59.75 from RepairClinic.com.

http://www.repairclinic.com/SmartSea...4552&PPStack=1

I just did mine a month ago or so. It's called an upgrade kit because it
comes with the heating element and a new electronic control. The EC and
new element are matched and must be replaced together.

Here are all your Whirlpool documents like parts diagrams:

http://shared.whirlpoolcorp.com/prod...iteCd=W HRCOM

Your electrical tech sheet should be behind the kickplate.

The heater element nuts are probably way in the back. Because of the
pumps and no clearance, you will probably have to pull the dishwasher
out to get at the element nuts from underneath. This means disconnecting
the water supply line. When you pull the kickplate off the connection is
probably right in front.

If you're lucky, it has just a flex hose. Look under the sink and see
what's connected to the shutoff. If it has soft copper tubing as a
supply, it's connected with a compression fitting. This means you have to
cut a few inches off the tubing and put a new compression ring.

You probably have to disconnect the power wire from the dishwasher to
slide it out. Should connect right behind the kickplate.

All sounds worse when written but at least you know what you might have
to do up front. If you're handy you can do it.

If you really want to finish the job, pull out the chopper and clean the
screen. It can be a bit tricky to get back in seated. Need to compress
the spring to slide it back in. Clean out all the water holes in the
various spray arms.

REMEMBER: First kill the power at the breaker. Turn off the water at the
valve under the sink.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in
et:


"billccm" wrote in message
I have researched this issue, and it seems that the 'round' elements
are the issue, and Whirlpool has an upgrade kit.

So, kind experts, is this all I need to fix my problem? Is it a job I
can tackle in a Saturday afternoon, or shall I call a service
company?

Finally, do you recommend that I cut my loss on this very mediocre
product and invest in a new Bosch dishwasher?

Sincere thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

I'm not sure why you consider the KA to be mediocre. Mine is excellent
and I'd buy another in a second. Dishes come out sparkling. Do you
have extremely hard water? Use a rinse aid? Hot enough water?

Anyhow, replacing the element is a good Saturday job. The hardest part
is contorting yourself around the appliance as you get older. I've
never heard of flaking elements, but I guess it is possible.

What I'm picturing is like the tip of a soldering iron that get the black
flake crud and you have to clean it.


As for getting a Bosch, they have been lambasted on this group for the
frequency of repairs. My local dealer will get you one, but no longer
has them in the showroom because they are the cause of too many
service calls.

Red Green wrote in
:

billccm wrote in
:

Hello All:

I have a six year old KitchenAid Dishwasher KUDR01TJBL0, serial
FL5125226.

It is a very mediocre product, but that is a subject for another day.

What I am experiencing is flaking of black, crusty coatings from the
heating element. It seems to be cracking off and blasting itself
throughout the dishwasher.

I have researched this issue, and it seems that the 'round' elements
are the issue, and Whirlpool has an upgrade kit.

So, kind experts, is this all I need to fix my problem? Is it a job I
can tackle in a Saturday afternoon, or shall I call a service
company?

Finally, do you recommend that I cut my loss on this very mediocre
product and invest in a new Bosch dishwasher?

Sincere thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

p.s. If you can't find your tech sheet and need it I put a copy he

http://hostfile.org/TechSheet8269519.pdf

On Feb 24, 7:02*pm, Red Green wrote:
Red Green wrote :





billccm wrote in
:

Hello All:

I have a six year old KitchenAid Dishwasher KUDR01TJBL0, serial
FL5125226.

It is a very mediocre product, but that is a subject for another day.

What I am experiencing is flaking of black, crusty coatings from the
heating element. It seems to be cracking off and blasting itself
throughout the dishwasher.

I have researched this issue, and it seems that the 'round' elements
are the issue, and Whirlpool has an upgrade kit.

So, kind experts, is this all I need to fix my problem? Is it a job I
can tackle in a Saturday afternoon, or shall I call a service
company?

Finally, do you recommend that I cut my loss on this very mediocre
product and invest in a new Bosch dishwasher?

Sincere thanks for your time in replying, and have a nice day,

Bill

p.s. If you can't find your tech sheet and need it I put a copy he

http://hostfile.org/TechSheet8269519.pdf- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hey, thank you for the help! I have ordered the part and will tackle
this next weekend.

The crud seems to be teflon type coating that is flaking off.
Underneath the coating is a rusting 'calrod' heating element.

I have cleaned the chopper several times, and know what you are
talking about.

I had an old GE Potscrubber dishwasher that cleaned everything so
well. I really wish I had repaired that unit rather than replaced it
with this $900 KitchenAid. It barely cleans anything on the top shelf,
and the repair guys just gave up after replacement of the motor/pump
and circuit boards.

Thank you again for your time in replying, and have a nice day, Bill

"billccm" wrote in message
I had an old GE Potscrubber dishwasher that cleaned everything so
well. I really wish I had repaired that unit rather than replaced it
with this $900 KitchenAid. It barely cleans anything on the top shelf,
and the repair guys just gave up after replacement of the motor/pump
and circuit boards.

Did they replace or clean the arm? Check to see it is getting proper flow?
As I stated, mine does a perfect job on both racks so you have a problem and
I'm sure it is fixable. Glassware, especially sparkles when I take it out.
IMO, it is the perfect machine. Check out that spray arm.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in
et:


"billccm" wrote in message
I had an old GE Potscrubber dishwasher that cleaned everything so
well. I really wish I had repaired that unit rather than replaced it
with this $900 KitchenAid. It barely cleans anything on the top shelf,
and the repair guys just gave up after replacement of the motor/pump
and circuit boards.

Did they replace or clean the arm? Check to see it is getting proper
flow? As I stated, mine does a perfect job on both racks so you have a
problem and I'm sure it is fixable. Glassware, especially sparkles
when I take it out. IMO, it is the perfect machine. Check out that
spray arm.



Ditto on that spray arm advice.

I prodded around the holes with a dental pick. Loosened stuff. Put shop
vac on it. When done, put sink sprayer in the feed and water flowed out
freely. Didn't do that before. Too cold out to use outdoor hose.

Hello All:

Well, I finished the job today, but need to let you in on my troubles.

I pulled the dishwasher, swapped the element and circuit board, and
reinstalled in less than 30 minutes.

Pushed the 'NORMAL' button, then 'START'.

Panel lights, but nothing happens. No water flow-NOTHING.

I take the panel off; check all connections. Ohm out the door switch.
Reassemble.

Pushed the 'NORMAL' button, then 'START'.

Panel lights, but nothing happens. No water flow-NOTHING.

I noticed a small piece of plastic near the door latch handle. I pull
it out. It is a piece of plastic boss screw mount from the front
panel.

Dishwasher starts and runs.

This piece was jamming up the door switch.

Now, a few questions:

1) The dishwasher runs LONGER now than before. It also fills funny in
that some water will fill, then purge, then fill, and run. I assume
this is the new program, and is normal?

2) Do I (or should I) order a new console assembly (part number
8269945)?

Thanks again for your help and support!

Take care,

Bill