Refrigerator/plumbing question

larry_9

Like Jon I have been in the trade for 20 some odd years starting out as an appliance repairman, and he has hit it right on the head of the nail. The solinoid is leaking by and the only thing you can do is replace it. Or call in the someone who can.

LEAD PIPE

I noticed I had water leaking into my basement; the source was the ice maker in my refrigerator. I was away recently and I turned off the water to the house, not sure if this caused the problem. A small copper tube runs from a pipe and goes into the bottom of the refrigerator. A clear plastic tube completes the run up to the back of the freezer. It is attached to the freezer by small clamp. Water was dripping from this connection, down the back and onto the floor. Inside the freezer, where the connection comes through to the ice maker everything was frozen over. There was a 1/2" of ice in the bottom corner of the freezer, under the ice maker.
I disconnected the clear plastic tube and the flow rate was very slow, 1 drip every 3 sec. Is that normal? Any ideas on what the problem is? This is an older unit, around 1975. Sorry to come on here to ask but we are hosting my Dads 70th birthday tomorrow and I can't get anyone to come out for something this small on a Saturday Evening.

Thanks

John

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

the clear plastic hose

in my refrigerator craked after about 15 years. Bob

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LEAD PIPE

Do you remember what the flow was like? I have a slow drip. Was the water on yours coming out any faster?

Thanks

gerry gill

mine did that three times..

i kept haveing the appliance repairman out and he would replace the tubing thats integral to the fridge, but it wasn't till i turned the freezer temp up some, that it stopped, and hasn't happened again...something would freeze and water would then spit against the rear wall...i followed my brothers advice,,,if ice cream is hard, its to cold..i think the appliance man was enjoying the service charge.

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LEAD PIPE

Do you remember what the flow was??? I checked the copper tube, it has a lot of pressure, it then goes into a regulator of some kind and it comes out very slow. My wife says while I was at the store she noticed it spurting out for a few seconds (no jokes please) and then went back to a steady drip.

Blackoakbob

There's a electric.....

valve where the copper line from the house water in the basement connects to the back of the refrigerator. It is only suppose to allow water into the plastic water line, running up the back of the cabinet, when it's time to fill the ice maker or fill a glass of water. This valve probably has as some dirt in it and is leaking. The best thing to do is follow the copper line down to the point where it connects to the house water line and you'll find a Tee handle, turn it in clockwise and that will stop the water flow to the refrig. You can have it checked out when you have time. As far as the ice that has accumulated in side the freezer, it would be ideal to shut off or plull the plug on the unit and allow it to completely thaw and mop up the water and thoroughly clean the unit out, after the party. This is one of those times to wipe everything down, the door gaskets, inside the crispers, etc. Don't forget to vacuum or blow the dust out of the coil under or behind the unit. Best Regards.

gerry gill

mine would spurt

when there was a demand for the water, like when the icemaker wanted water..in between demands it didn't leak..i didn't check flow in the plastic tube, cause once the water makes it to the solenoid valve, anything after that is not plumbing any more, but belongs to the appliance repairman..least thats how i look at things like that..

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Jon_10

Icemaker

Icemakers in refrigerators are the cause of 80% of my service calls on domestic units. Your problem is caused by a faulty water valve in the bottom of the refrigerator. It is leaking by and either needs a rebuild kit or replacement of the valve. It is bleeding by and freezing in the freezer and now since it blocked from leaking any more in the freezer it is running down the back of the unit. I would shut the water off until you get it repaired, it could cause a real nice flood if it fails completely. Icemakers are nice but as a rule are a real P.O.S., sorta like Microsoft and their Windows Operating Systems ( another something you can't really rely on)

LEAD PIPE

You guys were right.

Thanks for responding. I will try to the part on Monday.