Repair Whirlpool P trap due to freezer leaks

[O’Scolai]

 

Hi Samurai team  This is about your 2014 YouTube video on How to Install the new Condensate Drain P-Trap in Whirlpool built Refrigerators  Before installing the P-trap in the back of the refrigerator  you have to go to the freezer section drawer- the inside back freezer panel needs removed to defrost the coils before you can do the repair in the back of the fridge for the P-trap--if you have 2 extra fridge freezers to put your frozen food in—can you just unplug the fridge for a couple days and defrost then do the repair in the back of the refrigerator without opening the freezer and blow drying the coils?  Thank you  Vincent

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

2 hours ago, O’Scolai said:

-if you have 2 extra fridge freezers to put your frozen food in—can you just unplug the fridge for a couple days and defrost then do the repair in the back of the refrigerator without opening the freezer and blow drying the coils? 

Yes and no. Yes, this will melt the ice. But the cause of the ice plug in these units is the lips of the duckbill grommet getting gummed shut together and clogs the drain. So the frost melts off the evaporator coil during defrost, the water drips on the drip tray and can't drain. Refrigeration cycle starts back up and freezes all that water. 

The thawing you describe works fine on many other makes and models and we often advise our local customers of this no-cost option. If they don't have multiple fridges, they can still do this if it's winter by just setting their food outside or in the garage. 

With this model, though, the prospects of this working are slim. But, then again, it's free. So you have nothing to lose by trying except some time schlepping food around. 

[Budget Appliance Repair]

I think you would get much better results if you remove the old duck bill grommet on the back first, no need to replace it yet, (you will be replacing it with the new P-Trap drain after it all thaws out), leave the funnel in place and let it defrost - then the melted ice should be able to drain out OK once it has all thawed out in 2-3 days.

That should save you having to remove the freezer drawer and back panel.