[purefct]

The water tube to the dispenser on the freezer door is cracked a few inches after the solenoid (bottom rear of the fridge). It is 5/16" OD water tube but GE says 1/4". I've been to Home Depot (before I called GE) and they carry 1/4" OD in the clear flex (I don't think it will work) and the white semi-rigid (looks exactly like what's on my fridge). Both of these are too small a diameter, they have a loose fit compared to the original AND they are smaller when I compare the new and old when butted next to each other. I found the clear flex in 5/16" which has the correct fit, but I'm concerned it will "flex" and pop out of the solenoid when under pressure.

Why does GE say I have 1/4" OD when aftermarket product in that size is too small? Should I keep looking for 5/16" white semi-rigid or try using the clear flex at Home Depot? I also need a water tube union now.

[cfrye]

I have the same problem...leaking where the hose comes out of the selanoid. The vinyl hose runs next to the compressor and gets too hot. Made a special trip to HD myself but could not find a 5/16 OD hose. Any ideas anyone....

[purefct]

I had a local store which two years ago supplied all this, but now they're closed. Two years ago I wanted an immediate solution so since they didn't have 5/16 tube they sold me two plastic unions which reduced from 5/16 to 1/4 and a foot of 1/4" tube. I cut my cracked line and added the two unions with the 1/4" line. But the 5/16" line from the solenoid to my first union is cracked now and there's no more room to cut so here's my solution:

BTW I never figured out how to remove the entire length of my water line from solenoid to dispenser, it passes thru styrofoam and feels bonded to it. This is another reason I'm using the union(s).

I bought the following at Aubuchon Hardware Store for Hardware, Hand and Power Tools, Electrical, Plumbing Supply & more - 100' tubing minimum was the smallest quantity I could find online, and no one locally! One place suggested calling a pet store or other store selling aquarium products, but I ordered online the other night just to have it finished.

If it works, I'll sell tubing, 10' for $5 plus postage! I've got a Paypal and Google Invoice account.

Qty: 1 800140 Polyethylene Tubing, 3/16" ID - 5/16" OD $19.00
Qty: 1 640888 Compression Union, 5/16" x 5/16" $3.99
Qty: 1 264333 Locking Pliers & Adjustable Wrench Set $7.97
Qty: 4 224865 Scotts Classic Tall Fescue Mix, 3 lbs $31.88

The Union is brass, couldn't find a plastic one.

I bought the extra stuff because if I just bought the tubing and union the shipping was $45 or $52, but if your buy items you "need" totaling $59, the shipping is free!

This will arrive on the 11th or 12th. I leave on a vacation the 12th so if it arrives late I'll post my results after I retrun on the 19th!

[mbaltzell]

I purchased the 5/16 inch polyethelene tubing from Royal Brass and Hose at their Warehouse in Knoxville, TN. Phone number is 865-669-9650. Part Number was PT20005NA. It cost 14 cents per foot at the warehouse.
I repaired the tube uisng the exiting compression fittings.

My frdidge was manufactures by GE for Sears and had a Kenmore nmaeplate. the parts department at Sears sent me the 1/4 inch tube when I ordered it and were hopeless in assiting me to do anything.

[purefct]

BTW, someone just asked to buy some of my tubing, I thought I'd mention the tubing and union I purchased worked out great!

[purefct]

BTW, that Royal Brass and Hose number is actually 800-669-9650, or 865-558-0224 at the Warehouse in Knoxville, TN. It's Saturday so I couldn't verify their price or minimum qty and shipping, but the online price catalog dated Nov-06 lists the tubing at $0.20/ft.