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jonathan18

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#279545 22-Oct-2020 11:00
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We have discovered that our fridge/freezer has been leaking water for quite some time (to the point of having rotted a panel of the pantry's kickboard);we just can't work out where the water is coming from (it pools near the front left side, but appears to come from further back). The drip tray is completely dry, as appears to be the back area (the metal space below the compressor). The water exit point above the drip tray is also dry, so I'm wondering if there's a blockage further up that pipe and water is having to find another way out?

 

Does anyone have ideas or advice as to what the problem could be and how it can be fixed

 

Here's a photo of the overall rear of the unit - it's just a bog-standard F&P unit, probably about 10-12 years old.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Click to see full size

 

 


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duckDecoy
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  #2590165 22-Oct-2020 11:04
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Is the tube that leads into the drip tray clear, and sealed properly?  Try putting some water into the drain gutter at the back of the fridge and see if it runs down the tube into the drip tray




jonathan18

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  #2590166 22-Oct-2020 11:06
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Thanks. Yeah, it's the tube I've been wondering about; I'll try pouring some water down it when I get home, but if it is blocked what's the easiest way to clear it out?


duckDecoy
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  #2590169 22-Oct-2020 11:11
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jonathan18:

 

Thanks. Yeah, it's the tube I've been wondering about; I'll try pouring some water down it when I get home, but if it is blocked what's the easiest way to clear it out?

 

 

We cleared ours by using a thin wire at the top which pulled some junk out, then boiling water with a bit of dishwashing liquid seemed to clear the rest. 




Eva888
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  #2590172 22-Oct-2020 11:29
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Happened to us too and the fridge guy said use a straw now and then to clear it.

wellygary
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  #2590180 22-Oct-2020 11:45
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pipecleaner, wire, plastic straw,  pretty much anything that is long thin and flexible


shk292
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  #2590199 22-Oct-2020 12:55
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A pipecleaner down the drain pipe is the best answer

 

Also, check the door seals because if these are constantly allowing air to circulate/seep into the fridge, this greatly increases the amount of condensate formed


 
 
 
 

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andrewNZ
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  #2590201 22-Oct-2020 13:00
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It's probably the drain point in the fridge as already discussed, but if not, are the door seals fitting properly?

A gap in the seal is a very common cause of this. Moist air comes in through the gap and condenses on the nearest cold thing.


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jonathan18

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  #2590219 22-Oct-2020 13:44
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Yeah, you could well be onto something with the seals (as well). They don't fit terribly well at all. Are you saying this will increase the quantity of moisture in the fridge itself, exacerbating the likely issue with a blocked drain (ie, it's just more water that's backing up)?

Are new seals expensive? We don't particularly love this fridge, so rather then sinking a decent amount of money in to giving it we could look to sell for parts and buy a new one...

Gordy7
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  #2590229 22-Oct-2020 14:26
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I had a fridge with the drain tray on top of the compressor that developed a leak.

 

I found a fracture/hole when I took out the drain tray to get rid of dust, etc.

 

Cleaned up the hole and filled with bondi....





Gordy

 

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shk292
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  #2590231 22-Oct-2020 14:29
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The only place the condensate comes from is the air - warm air being cooled releases moisture.  If the fridge was sealed and you never opened it, there would be no condensation.

 

So the more you open the fridge, or the more it leaks, the more condensation you'll get.

 

No idea about cost of seals, sorry.  I replaced them on a fridge in the UK about 20 years ago and it fixed a moisture problem but can't remember the cost (and NZ would be x2)


jonathan18

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  #2590405 22-Oct-2020 20:09
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After finding it wasn't possible to poke anything up the tube from below, I watched this video of someone whose drainage tube in a F&P unit was filled with ice. So i pulled a panel off the back of the freezer compartment and, lo and behold, found I had exactly this problem. A good amount of hot water later and it's all clear... for now at least! I've also done a damn good cleaning and re-seating of the seals, and it's certainly a lot fimer seal than it was previously.

 

So looks like we don't have an excuse to buy a new fridge at this time! Thanks for all the advice; much appreciated.


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