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Amana Elbow (Inlet) fill tube keeps Freezing !!!

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Posted: Mon Jul 21st, 2008 11:03 pm

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1^st Post

Stingray99
Senior Apprentice Appliantologist

Joined:	Mon Jul 21st, 2008
Location:	Chicago
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Amana ARS266ZBW

Oh Mighty Samurai, I need some help in a major way bro! Here's the story:

Water line (plastic) to fridge detached from elbow fill tube (on outside back of fridge) causing major water damage about a month ago. I quickly replaced the stock fitting with a hose clamp to keep it nice and tight to the fill tube nipple. The next day, more water on the floor (but the hose was still attached, just slowly leaking). I then started investigating and found that the elbow fill tube to the ice maker was frozen solid. I pulled it and let it sit in warm water to clear the ice jam. Great, problem solved.....NOT!

I put the fill tube back into place and went to work. The next morning...I come downstairs to a mist of water spraying all over my kitchen! The plastic water line from my house to the fridge had developed a pin hole (from the pressure, I assume) and was literally spraying a mist everywhere (and fill tube was again frozen). It was a complete mess. Anyways, I replace the plastic crap that the installers used with copper tubing, to the fridge. No more water disasters, but the darn fill tube continues to freeze every few days. I'm fearing another water disaster on the horizon.

I continue to check that ice is being produced, and when I see low ice levels, I pull the fill tube to find it frozen.....again. There is a very nice seal between the fill tube and the back of the fridge (I read that a bad seal could allow air in and allow the tube to freeze). So, the last time I pulled the tube to clear the ice jam, I noticed that it sometimes "dribbles" water, even when the ice maker is not calling for ice. So I continue to read......most signs point a bad valve. Would you agree? I don't know which valve needs replacing as I see two available for purchase. So, I need to know what part to order......if my description points to a bad valve. In the parts diagram, there is a Primary Water valve that is about $50 (part 915068 ). There is also a valve-inlt that is about $36 (part 1057511). Am I barking up the right tree, or could I be way off track in my diagnosis? Any advice would be greatly appreciated....my wife is livid that I haven't called a "trained professional," but I've now taken this on as a personal challenge and I must fix it myself! Thanks in advance for your replies.

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Posted: Mon Jul 21st, 2008 11:27 pm

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Stingray99
Senior Apprentice Appliantologist

Joined:	Mon Jul 21st, 2008
Location:	Chicago
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A minor update.......I just pulled the fridge out to find that the fill tube was again frozen. Here's the very strange part....there was also a good amount of ice in the hole that the fill tube goes through! :yikes:

I dont know how this is possible as the feed tube is a single piece with no seams to leak from????? Maybe this info will help in the diagnosis of the problem. Thanks.

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Posted: Mon Jul 21st, 2008 11:43 pm

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texasred
Scholar of Advanced Appliantological Studies

Joined:	Fri Oct 12th, 2007
Location:	CLEBURNE, Texas USA
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turn ice maker off and trace ice maker fill line back to valve supplying water. remove tube from valve, if leaking get new valve.

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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 09:51 am

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ROBBYRIG

Joined:	Sat Apr 26th, 2008
Location:	Illinois USA
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Agree with Tex here.

When the solenoid valve begins to go bad, it will allow tiny drops of water through the tube when the icemaker is not calling for water. Over time these droplets create what we call here a frozen finger blocking the supply of water entirely.

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Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 12:03 am

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Stingray99
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Joined:	Mon Jul 21st, 2008
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Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it. So here's the deal. I turned off the ice maker, traced the ice line back, and pulled the back panel as advised to do. I removed the tube from the valve and....... no leak at all??? I sat there and stared at it for 15 minutes just hoping that it did leak so I would finally know what the problem is with this dam freezing inlet tube problem. So, it seems that both water valves are working correctly after all. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Jason

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Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 11:04 am

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6^th Post

texasred
Scholar of Advanced Appliantological Studies

Joined:	Fri Oct 12th, 2007
Location:	CLEBURNE, Texas USA
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This type of problem is generally always the water valve, if ice maker is working properly other than this problem. I repaired 3 last week with same diagnosis. It may only leak water by the valve when the ice maker demands water and quit after a while. Betcha! its the valve. Simple small investment compared to a flood in the kitchen at some point!

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Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 01:16 pm

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Stingray99
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Joined:	Mon Jul 21st, 2008
Location:	Chicago
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Thanks Texas! So, would I then replace the primary water valve (that the house water line feeds to), or the inlet valve (that the ice maker line is attached to)? When I took off the back, I saw that the primary water valve redirects the water to the filter, then back down to the inlet valve, which feeds the ice maker. I'm assuming that I need to order the inlet valve, but I just want to be sure before placing the order. Thanks!

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Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 01:39 pm

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texasred
Scholar of Advanced Appliantological Studies

Joined:	Fri Oct 12th, 2007
Location:	CLEBURNE, Texas USA
Posts:	82
Flavorite Brew:	TEXAS TEA
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Yes replace inlet valve feeding the ice maker. Let us know what happens.

Last edited on Sat Jul 26th, 2008 01:40 pm by texasred

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