Fixing an Iced-Up Bottom-Mount Freezer in a Maytag-Whirlpool Refrigerator

In this hand-to-appliance combat, Samurai Appliance Repair Man shows you how to fix an icing-up problem in the freezer of an Whirlpool-built bottom-mount refrigerator. Topic covered include:

- The two different types of ice found in freezers and what they mean
- Removing the door
- Removing the ice maker and door rail holsters
- Removing the air grill for final access to the condensate drain
- Super Secret Samurai Ice Clearing Techniques!
- Patented Samurai technique for clearing frozen condensate drains
- Make steam power work for you!
- Secret Samurai Trick for re-installing the GITMO-designed upper rack

Here's the handheld steamer I used in the video: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000...

For more repair help or to order parts, visit http:/appliantology.org

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  Howto & Style

[Mike Pace]

How about prevention so it doesn't happen again?

[SamuraiRepairman]

It's a good thought but that solution lies with the engineers at Whirlpool. The root cause of the problem is that the condensate drain geometry is such that it can't handle the volume of condensate that's generated from the high relative humidity in the Spring air. For some models, they've come out with drain heater kits. Still awaiting that for these models. But something tells me it's coming soon!

[piper1233]

Thanks for the video, it was extremely helpful. I have to disagree with you about getting the top rack out is the easiest part of the job, it was hell prying that thing out with the tray. Although I knew that you where spot on with using gloves, I thought that could just be extra careful and not use gloves. I ended up with the Number eleven carved into the back of my knuckles. It took a lot of doing, but i did get the tabs back into their original slots. I didn't have to remove the bottom rack.

[SamuraiRepairman]

The trick with getting those racks out is to use the steamer to loosen them up-- they get stuck to the liner from ice. The steamers gets rid of the ice. You don't risk damaging them, either. After you hit it with the steamer and remove the front screws, the racks come right out.

[Mike Pace]

Can u do this from behind instead of having to go through the hassle of removing  the back panel . Heat the drain tube or just blow it out with light air preassure.

[SamuraiRepairman]

Nope, you have to tear apart the freezer to get rid of the ice.  Just no getting around that.

[Daniel Orr]

Thanks for this! I own the same Maytag fridge and was easily able to fix the same problem.

[yeksun]

Thanks for making this I am about to clear my drain. Hope it works

[santhony74]

I am having this problem too. Water on the floor and frozen lake in the bottom of the freezer. Did you ever find vid that showed your model?