FIXED 795.51374.010 Kenmore Refrigerator - Intermittent water pressure on cold water/ice

[JPNYC]

Model Number

795.51374.010

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

6-10 years

My parents have a Sears side by side refrig model number 795.51374.010 in their apartment.

The water pressure in their apartment has never been very good even for shower/sink and the water pressure to the refrig cold water/ice has always been worse. It has however been enough to make ice slowly and to fill an 8oz glass of water in 2-3 times longer than what I would expect. Getting access to the plumbing and copper tubing that feeds the refrig is a nightmare and requires taking apart much of the kitchen cabinets as the refrig is on the opposite side of the room to the sink and water supply.

Lately they have been complaining that no ice is being made and when try to fill a glass of water from the water dispenser I get sometimes almost no water at all and sometimes 90% of the lousy pressure they used to have. One day it works a little, the next nothing.
If I try to fill a large container with water I can sometimes see the water cycle from a small stream to 80%-90% range and back to 2% and sort of do this over and over in the 3-5 min it take to fill a container.

I changed the water filter and also have tried with no filter in place at all.

If it were some type of clog or blockage I wouldn't expect it to cycle like a described.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Jake]

Yes, its possibly the water inlet valve, but its no longer available from the factory:
AJU34125525 Valve Assembly,water

 

[JPNYC]

I replaced the water inlet valve and it fixed the problem. The pressure is the best it has ever been.
Thank you.

Quick question: the water line coming into the water inlet valve is copper tubing with a nipple on the end and a metal nut that screws down over the tubing to hold it in place. I used teflon tape on the threads even through the original install didnt use any. I am getting a very small amount of water that leaks out from the center of the nut where the tubing passes through. Is this a concern? anyway to deal with it?
Thanks again

 

[Jake]

I replaced the water inlet valve and it fixed the problem. The pressure is the best it has ever been.

Excellent, glad to hear that.

Quick question: the water line coming into the water inlet valve is copper tubing with a nipple on the end and a metal nut that screws down over the tubing to hold it in place. I used teflon tape on the threads even through the original install didnt use any. I am getting a very small amount of water that leaks out from the center of the nut where the tubing passes through. Is this a concern? anyway to deal with it?

Are you referring to this one in this video:



You just need to make sure its very tight for it not to leak.