Samsung refrigerator leaking water

Many models of SAMSUNG refrigerators sooner or later developing a leak in the fresh food section of the refrigerator. This problem is related to a frozen drain line.

Technical background:

Every frost free refrigerator on the market is equipped with some sort of defrost system. Defrost system its necessary to get rid of snow accumulated on the evaporator coils  during cooling cycle.

Defrost system usually including : defrost heater , defrost thermostat and some kind of controls ( defrost timers or electronic control boards ).

During the defrost cycle heater heats up the evaporator and melts the snow ( frost) from it. Water from the snow supposed to be collected by the gather under the evaporator and drain through the drain line under the refrigerator where evaporating every day from the drip pan. If the drain line is frozen or clogged all the water starts filling up the gather and eventually overflows it and starts leaking outside ( for example in to the crisper drawers or underneath.

Here is couple steps how to repair this problem:

You will need: phillips screwdriver , flat head screwdriver, excessive moisture kit from Samsung DA82-01415A ,( optional ) evaporator cover DA97-07190G

STEP 1

Empty the refrigerator compartment and remove all shelf including crisper drawers and crisper drawer cover ( lift and pull )

Refrigerator should look like this

STEP 2

Removal of the evaporator cover :

there is 4 screws holding evaporator cover in place

one on the top behind small plastic cover

 

and three on the bottom :

after removing evaporator cover screws there is 6 small tabs on the edges of the cover marked with small triangles . You need to use flat screwdriver and push it between refrigerator wall and the cover and simultaneously pulling cover away from the wall. If the refrigerator is defrosted it will be very easy if not defrosted  pour some hot water through vent holes and around the edges of the cover to melt ice holding everything together. I usually  use a big towel on the bottom to catch all the water. You need to pull from the bottom first and work slowly upwards. after all tabs are released gently pull down the cover , there is two plugs behind the cover ( evaporator fan motor and sensor ) just push the tab on the plug and pull.

You should see something like this:

AND HERE IS THE PROBLEM : FROZEN DRAIN LINE

 

STEP 3

You have to defrost all the ice from the gather and the drain line . I use turkey baster and hot water and I am pouring hot water till all the ice is gone and the drain line draining freely .

Next you have to release the upper evaporator holder tab:

THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT : BE VERY CAREFUL !!!!!!! You need to bend the evaporator lines to get the access to the back of the gather. 

• release the tab
• pull a little bit towards you and up
• try to pull it enough to be able to free the bottom of the gather from the back wall. DO NOT FORCE IT. DON'T BRAKE THE EVAPORATOR LINES . DO NOT BEND TO MUCH
• you only need 4 or 5 inches from the wall.
• now you need to dry the back and the bottom of the gather
• excessive moisture kit includes two foam strips , bottom foam pad , drain line heater and two duckbills
• install two long foam strips on the edges vertically and the sealing pad underneath

this is how it approximately supposed to look like from the back

Bend the evaporator back in to its original position , lift it a little bit and reinstall:

 

STEP 4

Install new drain line heater like this :

Long peace goes inside the drain line and wide portion wraps around the defrost heater.

It is all done . reinstall the cover ( don't forget the plugs ) in revers order. 

OPTIONAL - in my case i decided to replace the whole evaporator cover because heat damage to the foam. you can skip this if your cover looks good.

STEP 5

Install two new duckbills behind the refrigerator in the compressor compartment. slide the refrigerator out to get to the back of it.

remove all the screws holding the back cover and install two new duckbills :

LIKE THIS :

Reinstall the back cover .

YOU ARE ALL DONE.  NO MORE WATER IN THE REFRIGERATOR !!!!!