9 replies to this topic

[tpoindexter]

Water dispenser is freezing.

Heater was installed 10 months ago and work for awhile, then, dispenser started freezing intermitently till it finally just remained froze.

Installed new heater and dispenser was frozen again the next day.

I thought I had read something somewhere about replacing the line with a certain type of replacement line, but, can't seem to locate that article again.

Anyways, do you guys have any suggestions?

[tpoindexter]

I think the repair in this link is what's suggested. I'm assuming this is where the insulation is thin? Can anyone confirm this is the correct repair?

 

http://fixitnow.com/...e-refrigerator/

[DurhamAppliance]

A couple of obvious questions that must be asked. 1) Water is going to the connection at the bottom of the door? And 2) Did you check your fridge temps?

Doesn't the link refer to a problem with leaking inside the door?

Edited by DurhamAppliance, 28 January 2013 - 11:46 PM.

[tpoindexter]

A couple of obvious questions that must be asked. 1) Water is going to the connection at the bottom of the door? And 2) Did you check your fridge temps?

Doesn't the link refer to a problem with leaking inside the door?

1) Water is going to the door. The dispenser will work if you thaw it out.

2) I didn't actually check the temperature.... Hmmm...

The search was confusing that lead me to the link cause it seemed to talking about multiple topics.

It makes a hellavalot more sense for repairing a leak though.

[DurhamAppliance]

Yeah, rule out temp problem. If fridge is too cold, especially close to the water reservoir or filter, then water entering freezer may be just above freezing. Then it won't take long for the water to freeze inside the freezer door. If problem persists despite your best efforts , bypassing the reservoir (if you have one) could be an idea to consider.

[tpoindexter]

Checked temperatures:

Temperature settings were at 4 and 4

Fresh food side = from 49 to 65

freezer = -11 to -13

 

I immediately checked the light switch to see if light was staying on in FF, and that cool air was entering from the freezer.

Both checked good! So.... I went around back to check compressor temp, fan, and to hide (it's true) where I could think for a minute.

Went back around front and checked FF return air, and door seal. All good.

 

Closed door and leaned back to think for another minute.

Noticed while looking at the doors (side by side) the FF door was about a 1/2"  lower than the freezer door.

The light switch is on the top of cabinet so the door being low would effect it's ability to engage switch.

Sure enough, light was staying on.

Adjusted door up.

Turned Freezer setting to 2 and fresh food to 4.

Told customer to check her food before eating and I'd call her Monday to see how things were going.

If water has thawed in door I will tell her to turn Freezer setting back to 4.

Going to check and see if there's a lock nut that's suppose to be on bottom of door so screw doesn't get out of adjustment again.

Hopefully the door will thaw by Monday.

I didn't go ahead and thaw it cause the last time the heat started causing the bend in spout to relax. Just didn't want go there and was short on time.

Edited by tpoindexter, 31 January 2013 - 12:22 AM.

[tpoindexter]

Contacted customer yesterday to see how dispenser was working. She told me it worked fine with freezer set at 2 but when she turned it up to 3 it would freeze up again.

It's been suggest that I can shorten line feeding dispenser. So I do have 1 possible solution, but, I have a few questions before going down that road.

My understanding has always been the freezer normal temp is 0 deg.

1) is 6 degree abnormal, or, 8, or, 4, what's flexibility do I have that can still be considered normal operating temp?

When I use infrared gun to check temperature of heater it reads 78 degree.

2) how warm should they be?

3) could low voltage to heater be causing the problem? weak board?

 

I'm going back Thursday to try and resolve issue one way or the other.

Edited by tpoindexter, 06 February 2013 - 11:08 AM.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... My understanding has always been the freezer normal temp is 0 deg.

depends on how hard she likes ... the Ice Cream ..

[DurhamAppliance]

A short Primer on Freezer/Fridge temps

0 degrees is preferable as it completely inhibits bacteria growth, . Many combo fridge freezers maintain temps between 0 and 5 with peaks of 11 degrees due to opening/closing doors and automatic defrost. For every 5 degrees above 0, food storage decreases by 50 percent. Therefore long term storage of food should be kept in a stand alone freezer


According to the FDA foods stored at 0 degrees will be safe to eat despite length of storage...although something in your freezer from 3 to 5 years at 0 degrees is safe to eat, it may taste funny.

Generally two types of bacteria can be found when temps are above 0 degrees:

Pathogenic Bacteria...grows when temps are above 40f. Above 40f food with Pathogenic Bacteria may not have an oft putting smell or taste but it will make you sick and may kill you. Therefore Fresh food section should never be above 40f

Spoilage Bacteria..grows in low temps to 40F. After a period of time, food above 0 may develop spoilage bacteria...Unlike pathogenic bacteria, if you eat foods that are spoiled it won't kill you and may not make you sick but it may taste awful. However, the presence of spoilage bacteria could be a warning that pathogenic bacteria are also present.

Edited by DurhamAppliance, 06 February 2013 - 06:20 PM.

[tpoindexter]

That's some great info Durham! Thanks

 

Here's my plan:

1) check temperatures

2) if not below zero give them the option of trying to bypass reserve, or, leaving the freezer temp at the lower setting

3) tell them they could try a new freezer door. (not a good option cause then it wouldn't match the older fresh food side, and, no guarantee it would even work)

 

That's about all I know to do at this point.