Water Accumulating in Side Freezer Compartment Bottom of Whirlpool WRS325FDAM02 Refrigerator

[leafman60]

Lately, I have had water falling down into the bottom of the freezer of this side-by-side refrigerator.  It will freeze and build up in the settlement trough under the crisper drawer until I must remove the drawer, break up the ice and remove it to avoid the water eventually leaking out onto my floor.

I have removed the ice holder of the icemaker and examined the icemaker and the fill trough that directs water into it and I cannot see anything amiss.  I have not removed the icemaker for a closer inspection.

There is no filter on the water line that supplies the icemaker through its solenoid valve.  I am wondering if the valve is not shutting off clean enough when it is activated and if it could be leaking excess water into the icemaker that overflows and drops to the bottom.  However, I could not detect any such leak coming through the fill tube/trough when I examined it.   Maybe it does not close the valve soon enough when the fill is completed.

Any guidance or advice will be greatly appreciated as I get more involved in fixing this problem. 

 

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[Slav]

The evaporator drain tube is probably clogged up with debris and ice. Try defrosting the freezer coil, and make sure all the water completely drains out of the freezer compartment outside behind the fridge. You may need to use some hot water and a turkey baster to unclog the drain.

[leafman60]

You guys, know your stuff!  Slav was correct.  I was blaming the icemaker.  Everyone blames the icemaker for everything.  Nope.  Not this time.

The problem was in the freezer drain.  There is a little small plastic tube trap behind the bottom rear access panel the carries the water from the inside compartment to the drain pan.  It had clogged with some sort of black matter right near its bend. I removed the trap (held by a single small screw and a rubber grommet), used a small diameter bottle brush and cleaned the inside of the trap to a fare-thee-well.  Water had backed up and frozen at the entrance to the trap inside the freezer compartment so I had to move that flimsy but large interior rear cover to get good access in order to melt away the frozen cap.  The coils had very minimal icing but I went ahead with a heat gun and defrosted them while I was in there.  I buttoned everything up and am good to go.

Thank you very smart, experienced appliance pros for this help, Slav.

 

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[Slav]

2 hours ago, leafman60 said:

I went ahead with a heat gun and defrosted them

Just be careful with a heat gun, it has a power to melt the refrigerator lining.

I'm glad everything is good now, and thanks for the update!

[leafman60]

7 hours ago, Slav said:

Just be careful with a heat gun, it has a power to melt the refrigerator lining.

I'm glad everything is good now, and thanks for the update!

Oh yes.  I know about the risks of a heat gun.  I used on very low power and at a distance.  Thanks.