[craig72]

Hello,
I have a Kenmore Elite 53606201 side by side. There was water leaking out of the front of the freezer. I noticed it was collecting down in the bottom of the freezer and eventually spilled over because the drain tube had frozen solid. I cleared all the ice and heated/cleaned the tube and it worked fine. Now it has done it again. Is it possible that the freezer is too cold, causing ice to build up so quickly or could it be something else? Simply a design issue? I have seen some fixes where folks wrap some wire around the defrost heater and run it down the tube to help keep the temp up, but I would like to remedy the cause first if I could.
Thanks!
Craig

[Simon / APP Team]

Hi.

Please provide the complete model number of the unit.

Simon.

[craig72]

Sure, its 106.53606201

Thanks
Craig

[Simon / APP Team]

Hi.

Make sure after you defrost the drain that it's absolutely clean.Pour the hot water into it and then install the drain heater kit Part number: 819043

Post the results.

Simon.

[craig72]

Hi Simon,
Thanks for the tip on the drain heater. I worked on the freezer today and got the block cleared and the drain pan all dried out. I tried using a method I had found where you wrap copper wire around the heating element and then put a lead down the drain. I also ran a couple of leads laying in the pan. The freezer has been on for about 5 hours and there is already ice forming in the bottom of the pan. Is there any quick way to tell if the heater itself is working? When I took the cover off of the coils, there was not excessive ice buildup any where, just in the drain pan.
Thanks again.

[Simon / APP Team]

Hi.

I'd like you to remove the rear panel in the freezer to open the evaporator coils. Do you see any condensation build up on the coils while the fridge is running?Does any moister dripping down in to the tray?
Try to clean the drain tube from the compressor end, best if you can use compressed air (do not get carried away).

Simon.

[craig72]

Hi Simon,
Let me add this to the investigation. I put a remote temp sensor in the freezer today to check the temp (its always seemed too cold). I have it set on 5 degrees at the control panel, but its reading -14. So is it freezing at the bottom because its just too cold?
Thanks for the reply.

[Simon / APP Team]

HI.

Most likely it's a different issue. Replace the freezer thermistor

Part number: AP3745265

It still not clear to me : did you install the drain heater of any kind ?
Level the fridge side to side and tilt it back just a bit.
Make sure the drain is cleaned from both ends, install if you didn't the drain heater I've listed above.

Post the results.

Simon.

[craig72]

HI Simon,
The drain was completely clear on this latest cleaning. I dumped about 3 cups of boiling water after it was opened up and I could hear it dump right into the pan. I installed my own heater using 12AWG copper wire similar to what was described here:

Permanent fix for frozen drain
(****************.com)

Thanks for the link on the thermistor. Is there any way to check that part to see if its actually broken?
Thanks again!

[Simon / APP Team]

Hi.

The resistance of the thermistor at 0*F - 22774 ohms, 40*F - 7008 ohms.
Do you mind to monitor every 2 - 3 hrs ice build up in the drip pan? It's important to find out if it's related to defrost cycles (every 8 hrs) or condensation drip.

Simon.