Ella Walter
If you're experiencing issues with your Kelvinator refrigerator's defrost drain, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take. A clogged or frozen defrost drain can lead to water overflowing and dripping down to the bottom of the compartment. To resolve this, you can use a turkey baster with warm water to clear the drain and ensure that the drain tube trap is clear. Additionally, check if your refrigerator has a drain strap, as it helps prevent ice accumulation in the defrost drain. If the evaporator fan is not running, it could cause cold air to migrate to the defrost drain, leading to ice buildup. Inspect the evaporator fan motor and replace it if necessary. Some refrigerators also have drain heaters to prevent water in the drain pan from refreezing and clogging. Finally, inspect the drain pan for cracks, as a cracked pan can leak water during the defrost cycle and may need replacement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to do if the defrost drain is frozen | Use a turkey baster and warm water to clear out the frozen drain and tube |
| What to do if the defrost drain is clogged | Check if the evaporator fan motor is working. If not, replace it |
| How to determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective | Try turning the fan blade by hand. If it doesn't turn freely, the motor is defective |
| What to do if the motor is unusually noisy | Replace it |
| What to do if the motor windings don't have continuity | Replace the evaporator fan motor |
| What to do if the defrost drain is freezing over | Ensure the drain strap is in place and the drain heater is working |
| What to do if the drain pan is cracked | Replace it |
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What You'll Learn
Check if the defrost drain is clogged or frozen
If your Kelvinator freezer is leaking water, it's possible that the defrost drain is clogged or frozen. To check if this is the case, first, pull the freezer away from the wall. Then, inspect the defrost drain to see if it is clogged with ice or frozen over. If the defrost drain is frozen, you will need to thaw the ice. This can be done by using a turkey baster and hot water to flush the drain. You should also check that the drain tube is positioned correctly over the tray.
Some Kelvinator refrigerators are equipped with a drain strap, which is a small piece of copper or aluminum that attaches to the defrost heater and extends partway into the defrost drain. When the defrost heater turns on, heat is conducted through the drain strap to melt any ice that may have accumulated in the defrost drain. If your freezer doesn't have a drain strap, one can usually be added. If the drain strap is in place but the defrost drain is still freezing over, it may be defective and unable to melt the ice.
Another potential cause of a clogged defrost drain is a defective evaporator fan motor. If the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator can migrate to the defrost drain, causing ice buildup. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy or not running at all, replace it.
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Use a turkey baster and warm water to clear a frozen drain
If your Kelvinator refrigerator's defrost drain is frozen, you can use a turkey baster and warm water to clear it. Firstly, check that the drain tube trap is clear by the drain pan.
A frozen defrost drain can cause water to overflow the drain trough and drip down to the bottom of the compartment. To remedy this, use a turkey baster to force warm water down the drain. Once the water has cooled, suck it out with the baster and refill it with more warm water. Repeat this process until the drain is clear. When the drain is completely free, water should flow through and collect in the drain pan under the fridge.
Turkey basters are also useful for draining grease or liquid from hot pots and pans, separating egg yolks from egg whites, and watering hard-to-reach houseplants.
It's worth noting that some defrost drains are outfitted with a drain strap. This small piece of copper or aluminium attaches to the defrost heater and extends partway into the defrost drain. When the defrost heater is on, heat is conducted through the drain strap to melt away any ice that may have accumulated in the defrost drain. If your refrigerator doesn't have a drain strap, the defrost drain may be more prone to freezing over.
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Inspect the drain pan for cracks
If you have a Kelvinator refrigerator, it's important to regularly inspect the drain pan for cracks to prevent leaks. Self-defrosting refrigerators are equipped with a drain pan that collects water from the evaporator coils. During the defrost cycle, if the drain pan is cracked, it will leak water.
To inspect the drain pan for cracks, first, locate the drain pan. The drain pan is usually found at the bottom of the refrigerator, below the evaporator coils. Once you have located the drain pan, carefully remove it from the refrigerator. Check the drain pan thoroughly for any signs of cracks or damage. Look closely at the edges and corners of the pan, as cracks often start in these areas. If you notice any cracks, no matter how small, it is important to replace the drain pan. A cracked drain pan cannot be repaired, and glue will not effectively stick to the plastic of the pan.
In addition to inspecting the drain pan for cracks, it is also important to check the water filter housing and the water inlet valve for any leaks. If the water filter housing is cracked, replace it. A torn or missing seal on the water filter housing can also cause leaks. Inspect the water inlet valve for cracks or loose fittings, as a cracked or poorly fitted water inlet valve can cause water leaks.
By regularly inspecting the drain pan and related components for cracks and leaks, you can help prevent water leaks in your Kelvinator refrigerator and ensure its proper functioning. Remember to refer to your refrigerator's user manual or seek professional assistance if you are unsure about any aspects of the inspection or replacement process.
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The evaporator fan motor may not be working
If your Kelvinator refrigerator's defrost drain is clogged, it could be that the evaporator fan motor is not working. When the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator migrates to the defrost drain, causing ice to build up in the drain.
To determine whether the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, you will need to replace the fan motor. If the motor is unusually noisy, this is another indicator that it needs to be replaced. If the motor is not running at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, you will need to replace the evaporator fan motor.
If the evaporator fan motor has bearings, these can loosen or bind over time. If the motor shaft is loose, or won't turn at all, replace the fan motor. If the blade turns freely, test the incoming power to the fan motor. If power is getting to the fan motor, but it still won't run, the motor is defective and should be replaced.
The evaporator fan motor may also not be working because the relay board is not functioning properly. The relay board provides voltage to the fan motor, so if it isn't working, the fan won't run. Before replacing the relay board, check other commonly defective parts, such as the fan motor capacitor and the fan motor itself.
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Drain straps can prevent ice accumulation
If the defrost drain in your Kelvinator refrigerator is clogged, it could be due to a frozen drain. This can happen when the evaporator fan motor is not working, allowing cold air from the evaporator to migrate to the defrost drain and cause ice buildup. To prevent this, some defrost drains are outfitted with a drain strap.
Drain straps are small pieces of copper or aluminium that attach to the defrost heater and extend partway into the defrost drain. When the defrost heater is activated, heat is conducted through the drain strap, melting away any ice that has accumulated in the defrost drain. This prevents the drain from freezing over and reduces the likelihood of clogs forming.
If your refrigerator's defrost drain does not have a drain strap, it may be more prone to freezing over. In this case, you can try other methods to prevent ice accumulation. For example, some refrigerators have built-in drain heaters that prevent water in the drain pan from refreezing and clogging the drain. Alternatively, you could use a turkey baster with warm water to clear out the frozen drain and ensure the drain tube trap is clear.
In other applications, such as drainage pipes and gutters, there are various methods to prevent ice accumulation. For drainage pipes, one effective solution is to install pipe heater tape or wrap the pipe with an electric heating pad or towels soaked in hot water. Lowering the pipe or insulating it with foam can also help prevent ice blockages. For gutters, gutter guards, regular cleaning, heated gutter systems, and ice-melting products like calcium chloride or rock salt can be used to prevent ice dams and facilitate proper drainage.
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Frequently asked questions
If the defrost drain is clogged, the evaporator fan motor may not be working. To check this, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, the motor may be defective and should be replaced.
If the defrost drain is frozen, the water will overflow and drip down to the bottom of the compartment. To fix this, you can use a turkey baster and warm water to clear the drain and tube. You should also check that the drain tube trap is clear.
There could be a few causes for this. Firstly, check if the water filter housing or water inlet valve is cracked. If so, replace them. Another cause could be a cracked drain pan, which will need to be replaced.
