Almost at my wits end. I have replaced the defrost timer and thermostat and ensured the drain is clear using compressed air. When the fridge is completely defrosted I check the drain by pouring water and it drains fine. After of couple of days of running the back of the frezzer near the drain hole is covered in ice which eventually freezes the air trap to freeze solid. I know the heating element is working as I have tested the new parts I put on. The refrigerator is level (slightly tilted back to ensure proper draing and the compressor shuts off during defrost cycle…what the heck is up with this thing?:eek:
Are you sure that the drain is fast.clear.
Often gunk can grow in the drain tube and greatly reduce flow.
This can usually be flushed out with a 20% bleach solution.
A turkey baster often helps do this.
Put some down it, let it sit for 15 minutes then flush it.
Do this several times.
Just be careful to not overfill your drip tray and wear old clothes.
Sometimes crud (you may not even be able to see it) slows down the defrost water getting to the drain, giving it time to freeze.
Often a couple coats of buffed up car wax on the plastic will speed it up.
Perhaps your tilt is making the problem worse. It should be tilted back just slightly.
If all else fails there is a jiggery pokery fix.
Take a piece of stripped 12 or 10 gauge copper wire.
Wrap it snugly (not super tight) around the defrost element a couple times.
And then route it down the drain an inch or so.
Then when the unit defrosts it will also defrost the drain.
I would then let the unit cool back down and force a defrost cycle just to be sure that the wire does not get to hot. All it has to do is get slightly warm.
Note if you have the glass type heater this may shorten the heater’s life as it will cause a cold spot on he heater.
I would also check the door seals, perhaps they are letting in too much warm moist air and overloading the system.
take a 2 inch strip of pare and place it between the door seal and the frame and then pull it out to check the seal.
Work your way around the doors.
If the seal is grabbing and not sealing correctly on the hinge side a light coat of white lithiul grease or vaseline often fixes this.