Mystery: Kenmore Refrig model 564.61042100 "Drain Trap"

[awryexperiment]

Hi, I have an older Kenmore model 564.61042100 compact top-freezer refrigerator.  I've recently had water pooling on the floor of the refrigerator, obviously as a result of a blocked freezer defrost tube.

Here is a link to the owner manual: https://www.searspartsdirect.com/manual/1iabcohny9-000582/kenmore-56461042100-compact-refrigerator

I first started in the freezer, removed the floor and rear wall interior panels to access the defrost drain.  It was frozen solid , so I used hot water to defrost the accumulated ice.  Since the water was still not draining, I used a coat-hanger to fish down the drain hole ~3-4ft.  There was no blockage but the water would still not drain.

My next step was to look around the rear, the drain pan was bone dry.  The pan is located above the compressor and both are set under the rear wall of the refrigerator.  Above the drain pan is a solid metal "ceiling" (part of the cabinet and does not appear to be removable) that has a circular hole ~1.5" diameter.  Installed inside this hole is what looks like the bottom of a cylindrical metal cup.  I believe this is part # 7 "Drain trap", part 301172 on page 12 of the owners manual.  There is rust around the edges of the drain trap and it is dry, it fits fairly tightly inside the hole in the cabinet.  Only a small amount of the trap extends below the surface of the cabinet.  I assume this is where I have a blockage for the drain tube.

Problem: (1) This drain trap #301172 is discontinued and completely unavailable from Sears and online.  (2) I cannot figure out how to remove the drain trap (e.g does it press in or does it screw in?)

Is there anyone still alive who knows anything about this style of drain trap and how I can try to clean it out?  If so, please help!

Thank you in advance!

[Vance R]

Looks like you are on your own. All you can do is to try to pry out carefully and see what happens.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

@awryexperiment I'm pretty sure that drain trap cap just pulls off, It is made to hold a little water to keep warm air from migrating back up the drain tube.

Carefully twist and pull to see if you can get it to come loose - it will probably be plugged with gunk that needs to be cleaned out - hopefully when you get it off water will drain out.

Maybe if you take a picture of it and save it to a picture hosting site and put a link to the picture here we could tell better what you are looking at.

Edited August 18, 2020 by Budget Appliance Repair

[awryexperiment]

Thank you Willie and Vance.  Given that Kenmore called the part a drain trap, I figured it was designed to hold some water.  I will poke around a bit more and see if I can get it to move either up & down or twist-wise (if I can get a hold of it).  If its not moving then I'll take some photos.  I imagine it has to come off some how, although I'd rather not destroy it in the process.

[awryexperiment]

I wanted to report back so others in need can find an answer in the future.

The Drain Trap was just a 1"deep metal and plastic cup with an "X" shaped post in the center of it.  It pressed up into the drain pipe on the rear of the refrigerator and was easy to pull off.  It was full of rust and crud which washed out easily.  Using a coat hanger, the blockage was freed approx 1" from the bottom of the tube.  As soon as I pierced the rusty blockage, cold water drained out onto the floor.  

The repair took 5 minutes on the backside and another 15 minutes on the topside to defrost the built-up ice.

Thank you to those who replied and provided advice.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

@awryexperiment Good job!!!   That is what I expected to hear from you.