[SBret]

Good afternoon all,
I have a 2001 Kenmore refrigerator with freezer on top,that I purchased new,,it started leaking water from the freezer (which seems to be a common problem) , after taking the back panel out,it seems the drain hole in the drip pan was frozen over,,after letting thaw overnight 1st thing I check was a blocked drain,but thats not it ,I poured a cup of water down it and it drained as fast as I could pour it,so I let run with the freezer on the lowest setting and checked the drip pan every 4 or 5hrs,,slowly the drain hole started closing up with frost (not ice, but frost) ,within 24hrs it was completely closed,,,is the freezer too cold,,
I cant figure how the freezer regulates temp, the control knob for the freezer is connected to a arm that opens and closes a hole from the freezer to the fridge,but the fan is in the freezer so any time the fridge turns on the fan blows in the freezer 1st,,,,,,,,,,,thanks for any help.
-Shawn

[woodchuck]

The fan in the freezer and compressor are controlled by the cold control usually in the fridge. The damper control in the fridge opens and closes the door between. It allows the cold air to be blown into the fridge to regulate the temp.

Frost build up is caused by moisture freezing on different surfaces. Could there be an air leak around the drain tube. Is there frost building up anywhere else. A bad seal on the door gasket will cause excess frost.

[SBret]

the frost only seems to be around the drain hole and thats it,,as I'm sure you know the drain hole does have an open hole at the end of it (which is sealed very well) that leads to the drip pan so there is always access to warm air from outside the fridge,,I have had this unit since new and it has never been moved,,so why now

[woodchuck]

I know you can't leave it plugged up but just for fun maybe see if it stops if you stop it up.

Some freezers have a drain tube heater as original equipment because of this problem.

I've never tried it but I've heard of wrapping a piece of copper wire around the defrost heater and putting the other end down the drain to prevent the freezing.

Why it starts after years of not doing it I do not know. We can only dream of the definitive answer.

[SBret]

Well I tried plugging the drain tube,,while the tube was plugged the back panel at the bottom where the drain is was also off,,I let run for 6hrs and no frost at all ,,,,Hmm,could it be a breathing problem,,too much heat ,,,I unplugged the drain and put the rear panel back on and moved the fridge away from the wall about 7in,maybe 4inches more than what it was originally,,,,,,its been about 10hrs and no frost,,,before I had frost after 1hr,,,,,I think this might have done it,,,,Thanks allot ,I appreciate the advice,,don't think I would have figured this one out.---------Shawn