Samsung RF30HBEDBSR French Door Refrigerator Leaking Water Internally

[BlaineBug]

Model Number

RF30HBEDBSR

Brand

Samsung

Age

6-10 years

We recently purchased a home with a Samsung RF30HBEDBSR french door refrigerator which was purchased sometime during the year 2016 (manufactured February 2016.) This refrigerator for whatever reason is missing the ice maker assembly insert. I never got an answer as to why, my only thought is that someone removed it and dropped it and it broke. I know the previous owners used to have a boat so it was my thought that they could have been dumping the ice into a cooler. Who knows, I really don't know what the story is.
For whatever reason there was a large block of ice forming where the ice maker assembly should be. I can't tell if there's something wrong or if that is something that just might occur if the ice maker is left ON without the insert I noticed in the control panel that the ice maker assembly was never turned off even though it can be deactivated manually via the controls.

We unplugged the refrigerator and my wife cleaned it thoroughly and we also melted the ice. All was well. The unit was unplugged but still connected to city water. A few days later we noticed that the bottom of the refrigerator was filling with water. It's not a noticeable flow and has to be a very small leak. The only way to cure was to turn off the city water connection entirely.

I'm curious, what could be causing this leak and what do I need to replace so that we can regain full ice making functionality and water dispensing functionality without having a water leak? This will damage our floors if left unchecked which are NOT waterproof and will buckle. Thank you.

 

[Jake]

The ice maker cover is integrated into the ice bucket, I see your ice bucket is missing too.

Here's the ice bucket that comes with the ice maker cover:
Ice Bucket DA97-14474C

The unit was unplugged but still connected to city water. A few days later we noticed that the bottom of the refrigerator was filling with water. It's not a noticeable flow and has to be a very small leak. The only way to cure was to turn off the city water connection entirely.

I'm curious, what could be causing this leak and what do I need to replace so that we can regain full ice making functionality and water dispensing functionality without having a water leak? This will damage our floors if left unchecked which are NOT waterproof and will buckle.

You'll need to pull the machine out from the wall, then remove the lower rear access panel and see where that water leak is coming from, you will need a flashlight or droplight to get a good view under the refrigerator for that leak.

 

[Jake]

Wait, you said the BOTTOM of the refrigerator is filling with water and going onto your floor?

 

[BlaineBug]

Wait, you said the BOTTOM of the refrigerator is filling with water and going onto your floor?

It seemed to be puddling in the middle freezer section from what I can remember. The only way to stop it was to turn the water supply off from the wall. It was still "slowly" leaking when the unit was unplugged from the wall as well. I am not sure what they call that compartment, between the refrigerator and the main freezer. Also if I remember correctly it may have been puddling water inside of the refrigerator below the produce drawers as well.

 

[BlaineBug]

The ice maker cover is integrated into the ice bucket, I see your ice bucket is missing too.

Here's the ice bucket that comes with the ice maker cover:
Ice Bucket DA97-14474C



You'll need to pull the machine out from the wall, then remove the lower rear access panel and see where that water leak is coming from, you will need a flashlight or droplight to get a good view under the refrigerator for that leak.

Would it make sense that without this ice bucket that the compartment would turn in to one big massive ice cube? That is the way I found the refrigerator after closing.

Also in the center bottom of the refrigerator there is also some kind of a knob missing between the produce drawers. What is that used for? I'm not sure how these people could be so rough with stuff like this.

And lastly the water leak seemed to be internal - NOT leaking on to the floor, but if we didn't catch it, I am sure it would have overflowed the inside compartments (both the bottom of the refrigerator section AND the center freezer pull out) and dripped out onto the floor.

 

[Jake]

It seemed to be puddling in the middle freezer section from what I can remember. The only way to stop it was to turn the water supply off from the wall. It was still "slowly" leaking when the unit was unplugged from the wall as well. I am not sure what they call that compartment, between the refrigerator and the main freezer. Also if I remember correctly it may have been puddling water inside of the refrigerator below the produce drawers as well.

Ok, that sounds like possibly a leak in your water tank/filter assembly:
Assy Case Filter-Tank;aw-4D,110V 60HZ DA97-13850A

Would it make sense that without this ice bucket that the compartment would turn in to one big massive ice cube?

Yes, correct.

Also in the center bottom of the refrigerator there is also some kind of a knob missing between the produce drawers. What is that used for?

That's likely the water tank/filter assembly, see if this video helps:

And lastly the water leak seemed to be internal - NOT leaking on to the floor, but if we didn't catch it, I am sure it would have overflowed the inside compartments (both the bottom of the refrigerator section AND the center freezer pull out) and dripped out onto the floor.

Yes, that sounds like the water tank/filter assembly leaking.

 

[BlaineBug]

OH, well, schit! The water filter is missing?

How in the world did the water dispenser still work? Also there wasn't any water inside of the refrigerator when I closed on the home.

Let me explain...closed on home April 2022. Did not return until February 2023. No water in refrigerator until we thawed out the ice, unplugged it, and began cleaning it out. I am 1,200 miles away right now as well, refrigerator unplugged from electricity and water as well. I will be returning mid June 2023, so I can't inspect anything right now. Created this thread preemptively.

Yes, the water dispenser on the door worked really did work. How is this all possible with the water filter assembly missing?

 

[Jake]

Those are good questions, but I don't have the answers without being there with you at the new house.

On some models, you don't need a water filter for the water to dispense, once the water filter is removed it goes in BY-PASS Mode.

 

[BlaineBug]

I had no idea that the water filter was missing - I assumed the "locking" knob was some sort of drawer adjustment. I didn't know what the water filter had that knob integrated to the endcap. I suppose I'll try installing a water filter first before replacing that water tank assembly as it is quite pricey. Although I have no idea why it wouldn't have been leaking the entire time without the water filter present, but I wonder if it is somehow leaking past where the filter should be installed, and if installing a water filter will cure that problem.

I will definitely be buying the ice maker tray, though. What is the model number water filter I need for this refrigerator? Also does this refrigerator have an air filter? I am only familiar with LG refrigerators like the one my Father has - it has an internally mounted water filter and air filter. The only way to "bypass" the water filter in his LG refrigerator is to install the factory-included block-off "T" shaped thing with O-rings on it that you insert in place of the water filter. He has his refrigerator tapped into a sink-mounted reverse osmosis system, but we still run a water filter in his refrigerator anyways even though it isn't necessary in that particular configuration.

 

[Jake]

What is the model number water filter I need for this refrigerator?

Here's the water filter for your model:
Samsung DA29-00020B Water Filter

Also does this refrigerator have an air filter?

No, I don't see a air filter listed for your model.

I am only familiar with LG refrigerators like the one my Father has - it has an internally mounted water filter and air filter. The only way to "bypass" the water filter in his LG refrigerator is to install the factory-included block-off "T" shaped thing with O-rings on it that you insert in place of the water filter. He has his refrigerator tapped into a sink-mounted reverse osmosis system, but we still run a water filter in his refrigerator anyways even though it isn't necessary in that particular configuration.

Yes, like I mentioned some models have a filter BY-PASS, but this model does not look like that's the case. Here's your owners manual: https://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201604/20160419153655671/DA68-03030A-06.pdf I looked through it and it does not mention BY-PASS anywhere.

 

[BlaineBug]

Well then without a by-pass how in the heck was the door mounted water dispenser getting water? And secondly how did that large ice ball form in the ice maker assembly without the ice bucket? Need water to form ice, right? This makes no sense!

 

[Jake]

Well then without a by-pass how in the heck was the door mounted water dispenser getting water?

Your guess is as good as mine.

And secondly how did that large ice ball form in the ice maker assembly without the ice bucket? Need water to form ice, right? This makes no sense!

Likely from condensation from the refrigerator temperature, that ice room needs to be 10 degrees or lower at all times, and with that ice bucking missing it could never get to 10 degrees or lower at in there, thus condensation and large ice ball.

 

[BlaineBug]

I'll check it out about 3 months from now and let you know what is going on.

 

[Jake]

Ok, sounds good.