Thread: GE Water Dispenser Line keeps freezing up ...

Originally Posted by Ryland

My water dispenser freezes frequently then just starts working again. It seems to do it more frequently if the dispenser is set to ice instead of water or if the ice backs up in the back of the ice bucket blocking the arm.

See if this video helps:

Troubleshooting a GE water dispenser and installing a GE heater element - YouTube

Why does this take 2 years to happen? My GE just started doing this.

Originally Posted by lotust

Why does this take 2 years to happen? My GE just started doing this.

I am not sure. Mine wigged out at about the two year mark. Some happen later, some happen earlier. I guess what really needs to happen is that all of the newer models need to have the heater installed at the factory.

Jake (or anyone),

I have a GE model number GSS25IFRFWW. From what I have read, I seem to have the frozen water line issue. When I unhook the supply line beneath the unit and hit the dispenser, water comes out. Now, it seems that I need to order the GE heater system, P/N WR49X10173, but I have read that some freezers have a plastic liner which the heater unit cannot be installed on. Can anyone tell me if my liner is plastic, or metal? Thank you.

Originally Posted by garrettmoore

Jake (or anyone),

I have a GE model number GSS25IFRFWW. From what I have read, I seem to have the frozen water line issue. When I unhook the supply line beneath the unit and hit the dispenser, water comes out. Now, it seems that I need to order the GE heater system, P/N WR49X10173, but I have read that some freezers have a plastic liner which the heater unit cannot be installed on. Can anyone tell me if my liner is plastic, or metal? Thank you.

I'm not sure garrett, I'll ask Rick if he knows.

Jake

Usually, if the machine has two knobs, it's a steel liner. If it has electronic controls, it's usually plastic. Another way to tell is open the freezer door for three minutes. If the evaporator fan motor comes on, it's in liner protection mode (Plastic). However, it doesn't matter because the door liners are all plastic. Several months ago I was talking to a parts mgr and he said 7 of those heaters were returned in a month. They were either too hot or just didn't work. I'm gun shy to use one because of the "too hot" issue and so far I've been lucky and haven't had to. The heat from the light has been working when it freezes up. I tell my customers turn it on for a couple hours and that usually does it. Every one that I've seen so far hasn't been consistently freezing. It will freeze up one day and then start working for a week or longer then freeze up again. I think it happens more when ice gets caught in the chute.

Originally Posted by rickgburton

The heat from the light has been working when it freezes up. I tell my customers turn it on for a couple hours and that usually does it.

What light are you referring to?

Thanks for the help.

The small night light in the dispenser area:

• Here's what I did: Go to Home Depot and buy a gallon plastic jug of ant spray or any insecticide with the sprayer and hose attached. Take the small plastic tubing used by the sprayer and then cut about 10 inches off and wash with soap and water. The plastic tubing is just a bit smaller than the diameter of the dispenser water tube. Defrost freezer door so the water tube is running. Then push the 10" piece of tubing up and into the water spout hose on the dispenser, leaving about 1/2" showing. I think the extra smaller tubing acts as an extra insulator preventing the water line freeze up. This worked for me and I have had no problems with the freezing water line since I did this.