Model #KUDS01FKSS0, this tall tub dishwasher would leak during the wash cycle out of the right bottom corner of the door. Each time the unit was in use, anywhere from a small spill, to enough to soak a towel would drip down and land on the customers floor. A couple paper towels were enough at first to keep the water off the floor, but the problem seemed to be getting worse as it seemed like more water was leaking each time it was used.



Anytime we have water leaking from an appliance, it is time to get in and start looking around because leaks will always be visible, and will oftentimes leave some clues. These clues could be a thin white soap film left as the water evaporated, or an area of disturbed dust, but either way, follow the path back to the source. Sometimes, we don't need to follow clues because the source becomes quite evident once we have a look around.

Dishwasher tubs, contrary to popular belief, are not water tight when the door is closed because we need a door that can open to access the dishes. To help keep the water inside the unit, door seals of some form are used to create a tight seal around the edges. These door edges are subjected to water spray from each of the spray arms while in use and are water tight. At the bottom of the door, however, is usually a seal to keep water in, but since it isn't subjected to direct water spray, and well it needs to let the door pivot open, it isn't water tight. These seals, sometimes called air inlets, are used to keep water from getting out, while also allowing air back into the tub. This is important because as the pump is operating, waves of water are flowing around the tub, creating higher air pressures that put excess stress on the door side seals.

The customer noticed water leaking from the right side, which in itself is nothing special, but is oftentimes an indication of a leaking side seal. But I needed more information so I started a wash cycle to test my theory. After the unit had run for a few moments, I opened the door to have a look at the sides of the inner door panel. What I am looking for is water that may have slipped past the side seal and then runs along the door frame only to drip off the hinge in the corner. Both sides were dry to the touch and had no indication that water had been here, so I removed the outer door panel to get a better look at what is going on. With the panel removed, it was easy to see the water surge in the tub as the spray arms are in operation.

Water will flow out in waves toward the front of the tub, only to be dissipated by the bottom seal. But every so often, the surge would be enough to let water up and over the lip of the tub and onto the floor below. Now I found the source of the water, but not why it is happening. But once I opened the door and had a look at the bottom seal, I found the problem.

It looks as if the seal had torn at some point in the past and has continued to tear with each use. With the structural integrity gone, water is no longer easily held back by the seal. The fix is to replace the air inlet seal with a new one, which is mounted along the bottom of the inner door panel. Once in place, I started a test cycle and the differences in operation were night and day.

Listen to this Post