GE refrigerator GBS18Hbraww

[zwingli]

I've been fighting with a Ge refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. The evaporator drain fills up with ice and then obstructs the evaporator fan
 I melted all the ice and flushed the drain and it was good for about a week. The end of the drain tube has a bend on it like a trap. Is it ok to cut that off so that the water flows more freely or will that create even more ice? Any ideas? Thanks.



Model GBS18Hbraww

[Ol' Lonely]

Unless it has a glass tube defrost heater you can take a heavy copper wire and wrap it around the defrost heater and feed it down the drain tube. This will keep it from freezing shut.

You can sometimes notice that the defrost heater has warped up and away from the defrost drain over the years.

They also make a probe that you can clamp on the heater.

http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=3772.0

[tgoods]

I've run into a few of these GE bottom mounts with this problem.  I install a braided heater, SH201, in the defrost drain. Wire it up in parallel with the defrost heater so it only comes on during defrost. A copper wire won't work because the drain is so far away from the defrost heater. There may be an official GE repair that I'm not aware of.  Don't remove the drain trap, it will cause more problems.

[zwingli]

Thanks for your help. I'll try the heater and let you know how it goes.

[dab147315]

I also have ran into a couple of these and own one.Mind has never plug up.But the ones i  have fix. I change the timer to a 6hr defrost and the termination thermostat to a 60 degree F one.Also i use baking soda and hot water after i get the drain cleared.Also wipe any drain trough down with baking soda.This will make water run down the trough better.Also make sure the refrigerator has a good tilt and the fresh food door closes  fast and solid as this drain system does not have much of tilt in it to get defrost water out of evaporator as you no.

[dab147315]

Also when i work for G.E.They told us to use baking soda on drain pans under the evaporator and wipe down pan to get rid of any film or oil from food or your finger or hand to make water drain freely out of evaporator.And i do this for all makes.

[haroldsappliance]

Ge freezer drain... Crack the ice out ...work some hot water back and forth with a turkey baster until clear... Pour some hot water thru...blow out with hose. You'll hear the sludge blow out....one year warranty...gone....no call backs