Water leak in Electrolux refrigerator

Posted on 23 November, 2023 by Rick Puer

The following are the main reasons why Electrolux refrigerators leak water. Solutions to these problems are also discussed in this section. However, if any of the repairs seem too complicated, pause and call a professional to avoid damaging your unit.

1. Blocked defrost drain

The defrost drain on Electrolux refrigerators is usually located behind the rear access panel. However, the entrance to this drain is inside the refrigerator and can become clogged with food particles and other debris. In this case, water can overflow the drain and leak out of the refrigerator.

To solve this problem, you have to unclog the drain. Open your refrigerator and locate the drain hole, if the hole is not visible we advise you to call a technician for this - best appliance repair.

When you find the hole, pour hot water into the drain hole with a turkey baster. If this doesn't solve the problem, insert a thick wire into the hole to force the blockage.

The defrost drain itself can become clogged with ice; The solution to this is to make the ice thaw. You can locate the defrost drain and then heat it with a hair dryer set to the lowest temperature. You can also decide to defrost the refrigerator; This article is a detailed guide on how to defrost your Electrolux refrigerator.

2. Clogged vents

When food is stored too close to the vents, condensation builds up inside the refrigerator. Eventually, condensation will flow to the bottom of the unit. This is usually the case when you find a puddle of water inside your Electrolux refrigerator, especially under the vegetable drawers.

To remedy this, always avoid storing food too close to vents.

3. Worn door gasket

The door seal ensures that the refrigerator door is always well sealed to prevent hot air from entering the unit. However, the gasket can wear out and not seal properly. This will cause excess moisture in the refrigerator to come out the door.

Is your Electrolux refrigerator leaking from the door? So this is most likely the case. The door gasket needs to be replaced to solve this problem.

How to replace an Electrolux door seal

Follow the instructions below to replace the door seal on your Electrolux refrigerator:

Step 1: Open the refrigerator. Remove the old gasket by placing your thumb, a putty knife, or a flat-head screwdriver under the gasket. Next, run whatever tool you've decided to use around the gasket race.

Step 2: The board should be completely out of the track at this point; so remove it.

Step 3: Get the new gasket, make sure it fits your refrigerator perfectly. Start putting the new gasket in place from either of the top corners.

Step 4: Work around the track, press the gasket firmly to the track to ensure it locks into place.

Step 5 : Finally, check again and make sure there are no excess folds or bulges around the track board.

4. Cracked or overflowing drain pan

The drain pan is located under the unit and collects water produced during defrosting. The tray may crack and cause water to leak from under the refrigerator. Inspect the tray for cracks, if any are found then replace the tray.

If the pot is not cracked but is so full that it overflows, remove the pot and empty it. However, tray overflow may be a sign of a more serious problem. This is because the compressor is meant to blow hot air over the tray to evaporate the water in it.

So, if your drain pan continues to overflow, call a repair technician to take a look at your unit.

5. Damaged water filter

The water filter may be the cause of the leak if the filter head is damaged. Therefore, take out the filter and inspect it. If the gasket is missing or appears damaged, the water filter will need to be replaced.

Also, the filter may simply be old and that is why it is clogged. Replacing the water filter is also the solution to this, as cleaning the filter will not solve the problem. Be sure to change the filter at the recommended frequency.

6. The water filter is not installed correctly

If the water filter is not damaged or old, it was probably not installed correctly. Take out the filter and reinstall it, make sure you do it correctly this time. You can refer to the user manual for detailed instructions on how to install the water filter.

You also need to make sure you buy the right water filter for your refrigerator. This is because water can leak out of the filter if it does not fit properly into the filter housing.

7. Cracked water filter housing

If the water filter is checked, then the filter housing may have a crack. Therefore, remove the water filter from the housing and inspect for cracks. If any are found, no matter how small, replace the casing.

How to replace the water filter housing of an Electrolux refrigerator

Do the following to replace the water filter housing on your Electrolux refrigerator:

Step 1: For safety, unplug the refrigerator. Also turn off the water supply.

Step 2: Take out the water filter. Remove the screw securing the water filter housing. Pull the housing forward to release the locking tab.

Step 3: Pull the refrigerator away from the wall to access the back of the appliance. Next, unscrew the screws holding the rear access panel in place and then remove the panel.

Step 4: Locate the water inlet valve and remove the water lines from it using an open-end wrench.

Step 5: Return to the front of the appliance and carefully remove the filter housing. Remove the water line from the old housing and attach it to the new filter housing.

Step 6: Install the new filter housing and attach the refrigerator by performing the steps in reverse order.

8. Defective water inlet valve

The water inlet valve requires a minimum of 20 psi to close properly. If the water pressure is below this value, the water inlet valve will be partially open causing water to drip out of it.

To fix the water pressure problem, turn off the water supply and disconnect the water line from the valve. Next, hold the water line over a bucket and turn the water supply back on. If the water comes out with force, the pressure is correct; If the flow is low, the water pressure is low.

You can also check the water pressure with a water pressure regulator. If the pressure is low, the inlet valve must be replaced.

However, do not attempt the replacement unless you have sufficient technical knowledge.

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