BTW, I meant to add the fact that all the service tech did was remove some freezer compartment panels, clean the ice from the fan area and leave. Since I wanted to be assured of some use of it between then and 10 days when he is scheduled to return I ran it through a couple of defrost cycles, siphoned 2+ cups of water out of the drip tray/pan & then put about 4oz of rubbing alchohol in & after about 30 minutes suddenly the apparent ice plug melted and the solution drained rapidly into the tray under the compressor, which seems to suggest no algae type "funk" was causing the problem.

Bob

ragsj

You would be better off starting your own thread in this forum section using "Post New Topic", then perhaps someone with experience with this specific unit may be able to help you.

I am guessing here:
It looks like you can disconnect the drain line behind the fridge.
If you can then you should be able to clear it with a compressor (use a low pressure) or a turkey baster using warm water.

Fortunately my problem has been handled by the warranty company replacing my unit, finally:)! (At a retail price of $8,000 I'm glad they paid for it:eek:!)

So I do not have as much vested interest in a fix but I am planning to repair & sell my old unit so Gene I question the likelyhood of dust being drawn into the drain tube when it is constantly full of water (or ice at times) as it forms a type of plumbing "P-trap" to prevent chilled air from escaping the freezer compartment. Evidence of that is observed by watching this trapped water move slightly down the clear drain pipe while firmly & quickly closing either door of the unit...This was always an acurate indicator that no blockage existed, besides that I regularly cleaned the condenser coils and fan compartment.

Rag I still think, and plan to do it, that the best fix will be configuring a method to melt the ice that forms at the neck/spigot of the evaporator drain tray (inside the freezer) during the defrost cycle such as what I suggested in an earlier post with an additional piece of heater wire.

The hose is difficult to get to from inside the compressor compartment as there is a plastic strap (similar to the one securing it to the bottom of the fan compartment) that also secures it to the compressor tray just inside the vertical partition wall. I did this once, it was a major hassel and not necessary but if you want to the only way to get to it is remove enough of the louvers in front and the compressor/conderser/fan assembly is mounted on a track that slides out (like a drawer) for servicing.

Steve's idea will work effectively if you just have a build up of crud but that was not the case with mine. I hope this helps & good luck!

I read all your replies. I left the fridge completely unplugged for a week. I still see some water sitting in the drain tube. That remaining water can't come out as the tube is bent like an arch and there are things holding the tube down - so not possible to lift the tube to get all the water out to the tray.

I still haven't figured out how to reach inside the drain tube from the drain tray side. I need to figure out what things can be removed to pull things out for servicing (as mentioned in some responses). If I could only reach the tube end to put something to suck the water out or put a wire or somethng to clean the tube, I would be ready to plug the unit and see if the problem goes away.

I'm not a handyman or electrician kind of person to understand everything. But want to try this out myself as it seems like warranty technician may drag it with several trips.

Would appreciate some clear (laymans term) instructions on how to reach the drain tube from the drain tray side and clean it.

BTW, as this is a built-in unit, not sure what is in the "back" to reach and clean. It is all in the top.

Hi Rag,

GE had designed a special icing kit to fix this problem with refrigerators similar to yours. That's the best solution in such situation. Before you will order it, read the installation instructions attached to this reply. It will help you to determine if you are capable to do this job.

- The icing kit Part number: WR49X10021