FIXED KSSS42QHB00 KitchenAid Superba water line dispenser replacement

[Randy5810]

Model Number

KSSS42QHB00

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

More than 10 years

Dispenser tip broke off so called repair guy to come out. Said need new hose so ordered and came back today. Can't get the old line out. Indicated it is in door and concerned it is wrapped up in electrical wiring going to same area. I asked him couldn't he pull the back of the freezer door off to get to the dispenser and he said NO! So he left with no solution. Just saw on YouTube, a video of a repair guy doing exactly what I asked this guy about...opening the freezer door and getting access to the dispenser and therefore, the water line. Looked simple enough but I never could see on the video where the water line went to on the bottom of the frig. Now this frig had the wooden panels on both sides which match out cabinets and this guy also said the wooden panels on the frig were an issue and prohibited him from getting to the water line.

So, has anyone had an issue with this model frig replacing the water line going to the water dispenser and if so, was the rear of the freezer door removed to gain access to the back of the water dispenser? Thanks!

 

[rickgburton]

where the water line went to on the bottom of the frig.

Do you just want to remove the dispenser? There are two types of water and ice dispensers: one for doors with panels, and the other for stainless steel trimless doors. The front panels for each type of door are removed differently. Which one do you have?

 

[Randy5810]

Thank you for your response and question. I have the wooden panels (see photo) which I'm told makes it impossible to remove the ice and water dispenser from the front of the refrig to get to the water line. The hose coming out of the dispenser broke off down inside so if you hit the water dispenser, water is going inside the door so I've locked it from being used.

Your photo on the left is exactly what mine looks like and on your second photo of underneath, there is a grey tube on the left side facing frig which goes up into the door and it extends back and for under the frig when the door is open. Does the water line run up through that grey line or is that line electrical only?

Again, the service guy tried pulling on the line (according to him) and it would not budge and then it broke off so no way to get to it from the front if the dispenser panel won't come off. I've seen several videos that show individuals removing theirs and it doesn't see to be an issue although I guess each one is unique.

Most fed it up through the bottom of the refrig but as I mentioned, one guy took the back of the freezer door off to expose the ice and water dispenser. Thank you for your help as we rely on this dispenser heavily.

 

[rickgburton]

Remove the drip tray from the water & ice dispenser.

Partially open the freezer door. Remove the screws from the freezer door handle and remove the handle.

Bow the front panel out at the center and remove it from the top and bottom channels of the water & ice dispenser.

Disconnect the front panel wire connector and remove the panel.

Remove the two hex-head screws from the switch subpanel, pull the panel forward, and turn it over.

Disconnect the three wire connectors and remove the subpanel.

 

[Randy5810]

Thank you for the detail pictures with instructions. Looks like a "labor day" project (no pun intended). So I'm assuming that when I remove this last wire harness and then the panel is free to come off, I can then see/get to the water line hose to either pull it out from the dispenser area or from the bottom of the refrig. Again, maybe some advise on getting that water line tubing out. I would certainly like to go in the direction you are stating vs. taking out a bunch of screws from the back panel of the freezer door. Thank you again!

 

[rickgburton]

Dispenser tip broke off

Why do you need to replace the water line? The rest of the dispenser is probably foamed in the door along with the water line. What broke?

 

[Randy5810]

The water line going to the dispenser broke off just behind where the line comes from the back of the panel. It looks like a black hose that maybe fitted into a clear water line. And you are correct I believe.

When I look at the broke off area, I can see what appears to be foam around it and I can't get needle nose to it so my only solution may be the video I saw where he pulled the back off of the freezer door and get access to the line and pulled the old line out and fed the new one in (not as easy as I'm making it, but he did get it through with some effort).

Please tell me KitchenAid didn't think this might never break and made it so this line cannot be changed out. If so, my only option is a new freezer door and I'm not sure there is a match in this world with these wood panels which match out kitchen cabinets.

 

[rickgburton]

Anyway you can repair it where it broke?

 

[Randy5810]

Anyway you can repair it where it broke?

I don't think so. About the only way I could might be to be to dig around the insulation enough to expose the tubing and then slip a larger piece of tubing over that and hope the pressure doesn't blow it off. I think I am going to pull the back of the freezer door off and at least see what that looks like and if I can get to the tubing and pull it out. If I could figure out a way to attach the old line to something like the new tubing and pull the new one through without worrying about it separating, that is my fear of not being able to get the new line threaded through the back of the freezer door. It appears there is a piece of gray tubing coming up from the bottom of the freezer door going up to the ice/water dispenser but it also has the electrical wiring inside as well so that is of concern regarding pulling old out and feeding new in. Thanks.

 

[rickgburton]

then slip a larger piece of tubing over that

Do have room for a 5/16" John Guest coupler? They never leak.

 

[Randy5810]

Unfortunately, no. That area is such a tight spot that you are very limited on room to do anything even with the dispenser handle removed. I don't have enough of the old tubing protruding from the back of the ice/water dispenser panel to connect a coupler. Good thought, but no room. Thank you for your thought.

 

[rickgburton]

You can do it the other way with a short piece of 3/8" water line and make a coupler but you need to seal it with glue. The only problem is 3/8" is an oddball size to find. You want the two sizes to be a snug fit. The other issue is the two 1/4" lines that you're coupling need to have a clean straight edge so you'll probably need to cut the end of the line you don't have a lot of.

 

[Randy5810]

Worth a try for sure. Will let you know how this turns out. Thanks again!

 

[rickgburton]

Anytime! keep us posted.

 

[Randy5810]

You can do it the other way with a short piece of 3/8" water line and make a coupler but you need to seal it with glue. The only problem is 3/8" is an oddball size to find. You want the two sizes to be a snug fit. The other issue is the two 1/4" lines that you're coupling need to have a clean straight edge so you'll probably need to cut the end of the line you don't have a lot of.
View attachment 61085

Well, gave it a try but the part of the black hose that I was able to get another hose attached to, broke off as well. Appears the rubber has become very brittle and now there is nothing even sticking up to try and connect to. So....I took the back of the freezer door off and to my shock, the entire inside was foam to perfection. Not just blown in, but appeared to be manicured (like a lawn) over the back of the water/ice dispenser and the PVC line that contains not only the water line, but the electrical. So my only option is to cut away with a razor that part of the installation covering the water dispenser in hopes I can see the water line and reach it in order to attach a new hose and feed out to the water dispenser. I don't know of any other option. I've researched replacement freezer doors but nothing since this refrig is over 10 years. But being built in model and having the matching wood panels, worth trying not to have to replace the entire frig. Would welcome any comments, assistance, warnings for my next steps of cutting away that foam installation. I'm assuming the cut away piece can be glued back. Thanks.

 

[rickgburton]

How about a few pics so I can see what you see.

 

[Randy5810]

Already have the freezer door back on but will try and remove it again tomorrow (has a bunch of screws holding the door) and post the photos. Thanks.

 

[Randy5810]

Also, regarding the replacement of the freezer door, any thoughts as to if I would ever find one if I don't get a new water line tube to the dispenser. The model of this unit is KSSS42QHB00.

 

[rickgburton]

will try and remove it again tomorrow

That's not necessary. Wait until you're ready to fix it. Don't worry about removing the old line unless it's necessary. Concentrate on installing the new line. I've never taken one apart that has been foamed in. Too bad you're not closer. There's got to be a few used appliance stores in Mobile, Alabama. Tell them what you're looking for and give them your phone#.

 

[Eric-Ann Arbor]

Hi Randy - I just had the EXACT problem you experienced. I did everything you did including going through the hassle of removing the back freezer door only to find the molded insulation preventing me from getting to the water line.

Did you ever find a way to replace the water line or gerry-rig what was left of the old one so you could use the water dispenser?

Thanks!