GE Refrigerator Leaking water from fresh food section.

[bowhunter]

Have a French door model PFSF6PKXDBB that is leaking water under the crisper drawer. I have already "repaired" this once with ice built up in the drain, I installed a copper wire extension into the drain which I have used on several similar problems and it usually works like a charm. It has been several months until now with the same symptoms occurring. Any ideas??

[Hiroshi]

You need to make sure the drain tube is wide open and empties into the catch pan beneath the machine... if the flow is too slow and the pan doesn't drain completely before the machine kicks back into a cooling cycle, the pan will freeze over no matter how well the heater probe is performing.

I have been using the tip from one of those baby/infant ear suction bulbs ( it's weird, but its made of durable rubber in the correct shape) to create a good seal between drain tubes and the tip of my steamer- the steam pressure will build and is a great way to clear drain tubes of ice and purge any obstructions...

These also have a "duckbill" type check valve on the end of the drain...

Edited March 24, 2017 by Hiroshi

[Chat_in_FL]

On 3/24/2017 at 11:13 AM, Hiroshi said:

You need to make sure the drain tube is wide open and empties into the catch pan beneath the machine... if the flow is too slow and the pan doesn't drain completely before the machine kicks back into a cooling cycle, the pan will freeze over no matter how well the heater probe is performing.

I have been using the tip from one of those baby/infant ear suction bulbs ( it's weird, but its made of durable rubber in the correct shape) to create a good seal between drain tubes and the tip of my steamer- the steam pressure will build and is a great way to clear drain tubes of ice and purge any obstructions...

These also have a "duckbill" type check valve on the end of the drain...

Replace both, part modified:

Part number: WR02X12751

[bowhunter]

Couldn't you just cut off the duck bill end of the tube. Until this fridge I have never seen a check valve on any defrost drain tube and I have seen quite a few. I feel that the engineers are trying to keep air from entering the evaporator section and upon doing this have created another problem. I thought it odd when I first saw it and knew this would cause a potential problem.

[16345Ed]

Your drain will likely freeze again if you modify duckbill. Replace it with new version as suggested. 

[bowhunter]

Hiroshi, Could you share what type of steamer you have?

[Hiroshi]

Xtech Multi-Purpose Electric Steam Cleaner - comes with multiple attachments, I made a drain hole adapter for it out of an infant/baby ear suction bulb to increase the air-tightness of the tip when jamming it down defrost drain tubes... it was 30 bucks at Wal-mart and they last 2-3 years, mine tend to be damaged at some point if water freezes in the valve button, I always eventually forget to bring it inside on some cold winter night.

[bowhunter]

Thanks. I've always used a heat gun but have been impressed with steam and how it melts the ice as opposed to the heat gun which can melt the plastic so quickly

[thelmap]

Did you consult with the mechanic?

[bowhunter]

What mechanic? I install the new version of the drain assembly. Doesn'T look much different than the old version. The duck bill on the old one looked to be stuck together, preventing the defrost water from emptying. I used a long piece of clear tubing just smaller than the defrost drain to clear the ice plug inside the fridge. It was probably close 10" or more down the drain line and used a catheter syringe to push hot water back and forth until it let go and then sent several more syringe fulls after that. Hopefully that will be the end of that. This was a friend's refrigerator and they are moving and leaving the fridge for the new owners. I told them to move quickly. 

[16345Ed]

15 hours ago, bowhunter said:

What mechanic? I install the new version of the drain assembly. Doesn'T look much different than the old version. The duck bill on the old one looked to be stuck together, preventing the defrost water from emptying. I used a long piece of clear tubing just smaller than the defrost drain to clear the ice plug inside the fridge. It was probably close 10" or more down the drain line and used a catheter syringe to push hot water back and forth until it let go and then sent several more syringe fulls after that. Hopefully that will be the end of that. This was a friend's refrigerator and they are moving and leaving the fridge for the new owners. I told them to move quickly. 

I Like to squirt hot baking soda water down the drain and then insert flexible curtain rod in drain and pull and push rod back and forth to loosen any build up of minerals in drain. Then hit with steam again and rinse with hot water. 

[rbmappltech]

Use this Samsung part number DA82-01415A that should hopefully take of your problem.

[bowhunter]

I already put the new drain in and a extension probe from the heater down the drain about 3".