FIXED KDTM404KPS0 leaking from the bottom, diverter valve seal or heating element issue?

[ctzn]

Model Number

KDTM404KPS0

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

1-5 years

TLDR:
Is there another bulletin that includes my serial number? My problem seems to match an existing service pointer but my serial number falls out of the range. Wanted to get some advice before I contact Kitchenaid tomorrow. TIA.

Amateur Diagnosis:
The dishwasher is about 2 years old, it came new as part of a kitchen renovation that occurred right before I purchased the house. The dishwasher has been working fine until the last few days. Noticed that the wood floor in front of it was getting warped. On the next wash, I looked underneath and saw the following leak (apologize for the poor video). It's towards the back, slightly off-center to the left. Original Googling pointed to a lot of diverter seal fixes for various Kitchenaid dishwashers. Upon further inspection, it actually looks like the water is coming from the left heater element attachment point.

I found these two informative threads:

FIXED - KitchenAid Dishwasher KDTM404KPS0 can't figure out which part this is that has been leaking

Does anyone know what part this is? It ruined my hardwood floor...

www.applianceblog.com

FIXED - Maytag Dishwasher Leaking at Heating Element MDB8959SKZ

Found that water is leaking from the bottom where the heating element enters the bottom of the unit. Seems like it should be an easy fix, but there doesn’t seem to be anything to hold the gasket in place. See the attached picture—the plastic nut holds everything in place on the outside of the...

www.applianceblog.com

Service Pointer #W11540964 re: heater element bushing
One of the threads pointed to a service pointer that included the following details:
KDTM404K*, serial numbers: F94601001-F952*/ All FX serial numbers/ FA01*- FA1301402

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like my serial number is part of the bulletin? KDTM404KPS 0: FA2403128
However, when I compare the photos in the bulletin, the covered photos seem to match my element bushing? Photos of both ends below:

Photo and video of the leak:
Seems to be coming from the hex-shaped area, saw the drops dripping onto that metal rail.

 

[Jake]

No other service bulletins are posted for this model except for the one you posted.

Did you try to tighten that heating element end terminal nut tighter to see if the leak stops?

Are you absolutely sure that leak is coming from the heating element terminal end? After it fills with water turn the breaker off to the dishwasher and feel that heating element end terminal nut for water on it dripping down.

Here's the heating element kit for your model, that comes with new rubber bushings:

Whirlpool W11537778 Element Assy-Heating,ss Bushing (AP7014587) - AppliancePartsPros.com

Element assy-heating,ss bushing W11537778 / AP7014587 made by Whirlpool

click.linksynergy.com

 

[ctzn]

Thanks for those suggestions Jake!

For your first suggestion, I should unplug the terminal and then tighten the white nut from the exterior as shown in the video/photo correct, then plug it back in? I shouldn't touch anything from the interior side? I'll give that a go!

 

[ctzn]

I tightened the nut by hand and already heard some cracking already so I didn't think I should use a wrench like in the video. I started up the washer and it began to leak pretty quickly. I forgot to check the element itself to see if water flowed down it. Are there any other possible leak points near it? I think I might fully unscrew both, pull the element out, then reseat and rescrew in. That'll give me a chance to take a look at the hidden part of the element.

 

[Jake]

For your first suggestion, I should unplug the terminal and then tighten the white nut from the exterior as shown in the video/photo correct, then plug it back in?

That's correct.

I shouldn't touch anything from the interior side?

Correct.

Are there any other possible leak points near it?

Nope, not from my viewpoint.

I think I might fully unscrew both, pull the element out, then reseat and rescrew in. That'll give me a chance to take a look at the hidden part of the element.

That would be good to do.

 

[ctzn]

Quick update, ended up just replacing the heating element and the nuts just to make sure. Tried a quick rinse-only run and saw no leakage. Will be doing a load tonight.

Left is the old element and on the right is the new element:

Another angle of the faulty end of the heating element, unsure how the thread sealant made it up onto the washer:

Can see some of the residue where the water was leaking:

Old nut terminals, right one was the affected side:

Lovely water damage beneath which wasn't a big deal, but the water ran through the subfloor to other parts of the kitchen causing those wooden planks to cup:

 

[ctzn]

How do I added the FIXED tag so I can close off this thread?

 

[Jake]

Quick update, ended up just replacing the heating element and the nuts just to make sure. Tried a quick rinse-only run and saw no leakage. Will be doing a load tonight.

Sounds good, thanks for the update.

Here's the heating element nuts for your model, in case others need them too:
Nut W11538351


Good photos, thanks for posting those too.

I marked your thread FIXED.