Hi,

The model # on my unit is PSS26SHPASS, and it is 6-7 years old. Last summer it began frosting severely inside the ice dispensor...had to chip it away every 5-6 days. This summer, it is frosting up again, but not as severely. However, now there is water leaked on the floor every 2-3 days.

I checked the ice dispensor chute door, and it seems to be working properly, and the seal seems ok. I am also occasionally chipping out the ice block formed in the base of the freezer evaporating basin, but it gets filled back up in 2-3 days (correlated with the leaked water on floor perhaps).

Are these problems linked? Any suggestions on how I can fix this myself without paying for a service call?

Much thanks!

Hi,

Your defrost drain hole/line is clogged with ice, you'll need to take the shelves out of your freezer and remove the lower back panel#213 inside your freezer, then you will see a drain trough thats clogged with ice, get a hair dryer and hot water to de-ice it.



Also run something down the drain hole, I use a evaporator cooler spider snake:
http://www.azpartsmaster.com/Products/Cooler-Spider-Snake__CLR4690.aspx

They are used basically in Arizona to clean out the water pump tubes that run to the cooler pads.

I don't know if they would sell them in your area, but if you go to your local hardware store, they should have something similar to run down your drain to clean it completely out.

Also pour a little bleach done the drain line after your rotor it out.

Also take off your kickplate#288 under the doors, and clean your condenser coils with a vacuum or brush, that may help the with the ice not sticking in your ice bucket. Or is it frosty in the dispenser chute?

Jake

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Jake,

It's actually frosting in the dispenser chute. Not nearly as bad as last summer, but still gets ice stuck on occasion. I checked the dispenser chute door, and it seems to be working fine. Any other thoughts on this? Some people have told me in the humid months it's something that really can't be stopped...but I find that difficult to believe, especially considering that the problem didn't exist in previous summers.

As far as the leaking, I followed your advice earlier today. As you predicted, the drain was not draining at all...but it did not appear to be frozen. I ran a snake down 20-22" before it hit something. I poured hot water down, then rooted it out with the snake for a while...some gunky, rusty stuff came floating up, and it then started draining. I then poured a couple cups of bleach down. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Your specific instructions with schematics was extremely helpful. Thanks a lot!

Good job clearing your defrost drain hole/line.

For the ice issue, I always get a flashlight and shine into the ice chute from inside the freezer door, and then look on the other side where the ice comes out the front of the door and if you see light, you have an air leak in the ice chute door, or the solenoid that opens/closes it is not closing it all the way, I have a thread here with photos that shows how to access the inside ice door and solenoid:
http://www.applianceblog.com/mainfor...ad.php?p=64550

Let me know what you find.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

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Jake,

I did the light test. I can see some light come through...there's probably a 0.5-1.0mm gap in some spots around the dispenser chute door. Is it supposed to seal 100% airtight?

I'm also noticing less frost after the defrost drain repair...could the moisture trapped in the unit due to the drain clog have contributed to the dispenser frosting?

Thanks!

Yes it should be 100% airtight.

Yes, thats certainly a good possibility.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances