GE PDS18SBM bottom-freezer fridge - evaporator fan access

[aldel]

I'm trying to get access to the evaporator fan in my bottom-freezer GE Profile fridge (PDS18SBM). As far as I can tell from this document, this is done by removing the bottom of the main food compartment. I removed the screw and tried to shift the bottom panel to the back and right as described, but it really doesn't want to budge. It appeared to have already been shifted somewhat to the right, and I think I might have managed to shift it a bit further to the right (it's almost out from beneath the side panel), but it won't shift towards the back at all. It does look like there's a bit of space back there for it to shift, though not much.

The above linked training bulletin does say "you may have to push hard", but I'm having trouble getting any leverage.

Are there any special tricks to this? Or are the instructions wrong for my fridge?

The reason I'm trying to do this is that the fan is sometimes making a loud buzzing/grinding sound, like the blades are hitting something solid. Probably just ice buildup, I think, especially since I've heard something that sounds like a bit of ice being chipped off, after which it gets quieter. I managed to melt some ice out of it without removing the cover, which made it go longer than usual without grinding, but it's started again. I'd really like to see what's going on.

Some photos of the bottom panel are here.

[aldel]

I got it open. I basically just had to force the bottom panel and the piece in front of it to flex a lot more than I was originally comfortable with.

Then I had to get the styrofoam compartment to open, which took some aggression with a screwdriver since it was frozen shut.

About to start trying to remove the ice...

[aldel]

Got it de-iced.

The only thing I'm not sure about now is re-taping the foam. When I first got the bottom panel off it looked like this. The original tape doesn't seem like it would stick very well if I tried to re-apply it. Do I need to get a specific kind of tape for this? (It looks like regular fiber-reinforced packing tape.) Or do I even need to bother? The foam lid doesn't fit as tightly as it did before I opened it, but it seems like it would probably stay in place pretty well once the plastic panel is back in place over it.

[16345Ed]

Did you correct problem? Did you clean drain line and check end of drain for a nipple with gunk in it?

Id use foil tape on those seams. 
 

Aluminum Foil Tape Professional Grade 2 inch x 30 feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0899WM65H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_V9ZPPBKRZNXWE1FBZ5NJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[aldel]

Thank you! I apparently hadn't done enough homework, and was not aware of that issue. I just poured some hot water down the drain, and it seemed to flow through easily, although it did flush out some gunk. I don't think this one has a nipple; it's more of a J-bend: picture

And thanks for that tape recommendation; I got some (different brand since it was out of stock, but same specs), and it sure seems like a better choice than packing tape.

[Josh Smith]

foil tape will work

[aldel]

Well... darn. It happened again. The drain was blocked by ice. I've got it cleared out again, but I'm not optimistic that it will last this time since it didn't last time. Is there anything else I should try? I'm more inclined to just call a pro this time, unless there's something relatively simple.

Or is it time to buy a new fridge?