Leaks in your refrigerator will not only affect the floor where the water puddles on but can also cause your refrigerator to work overtime. And this will ultimately affect the lifetime of your appliance. Hence, this article discusses solutions to your Viking refrigerator leaking.
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Viking Refrigerator Leaking Water – What to Do
If your Viking refrigerator is leaking water from the bottom or inside the refrigerator do the following to solve the problem
1. Unclog the Defrost Drain
The defrost drain takes the water produced during defrosting to the drain pan. Sometimes, the drain can get clogged with food particles and ice. This will cause the water that is meant to go down the drain to overflow and spew out of the refrigerator.
To resolve this problem, you simply need to unclog the drain. Locate the drain hole inside the refrigerator; use a damp cloth to wipe the drain hole. Afterward, insert a piece of straight thick wire inside the hole to push out the clog.
If pushing out the clog does not totally clean out the drain, mix baking powder and warm water. Then flush the mixture down the drain using a turkey baster. Do this until you hear water dripping down into the drain pan.
You may also defrost the refrigerator if ice is the cause of the clog. This article is a detailed guide on how to defrost your Viking refrigerator.
2. Check the Drain Pan
The drain pan collects the melted water after each defrost cycle. However, the pan can get cracked and water in it can spill on the floor. Inspect the drain pan for cracks and if it is cracked, replace it.
If the pan is not cracked but the pan is so full that it is overflowing, then take out the pan and empty it.
However, the pan overflowing is abnormal because the compressor is meant to blow warm air over the pan and evaporate the water. So, if the pan is overflowing, check the temperature of the refrigerator and adjust it to the ideal temperature of 37-40◦F. This is because the temperature of the refrigerator set too high may be the cause of the problem.
If the drain pan keeps overflowing contact a repair technician as this may be an indication of a more serious problem.
3. Check the Door Seal
If your Viking refrigerator is leaking from the door then inspect the door seal to see if it is worn out or cracked. A cracked or worn-out door seal will allow air into the refrigerator and then leak down the refrigerator’s door.
To solve this problem, the door seal should be replaced. Fortunately, this is a repair your can handle by yourself, simply follow the steps below.
How to Replace Viking Refrigerator Door Seal
Do the following steps to replace the door seal of your Viking refrigerator:
Step one: Unplug the refrigerator.
Step two: Open the refrigerator door and use a putty knife or a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the top corner of the door seal.
Step three: Gently pry off the door seal from the track by grabbing and pulling off the already removed top corner.
Step four: Place the new seal on the track, ensure the seal is compatible with your refrigerator.
Step five: Pin the little plastic dot on each corner of the seal to the refrigerator’s track.
Step six: Work your way around the track and clip the gasket firmly to the track. Double-check the seal to ensure there are no bumps around it.
This door seal is compatible with Viking refrigerator model number, 2188448A
4. Check the Water Filter
The seal of the water filter may be damaged or missing. When this happens, water will leak out of the filter head and spill inside the refrigerator. To resolve this, the water filter should be replaced.
Also, always ensure you replace your water filter every 6 months as recommended. When a filter is used for longer than recommended, it can get clogged and cause a leak, and can also be hazardous to health.
If you had recently replaced the water filter, then there is the possibility it was not properly installed hence the leak. In this case, the water filter should be removed and reinstalled.
Ensure you install the water filter properly this time. You may check your user’s manual for a guide on how to install the water filter.
5. Replace the Water Filter Housing
If the water filter checks out then the water filter housing may be the cause of the leak. Inspect the water filter housing for cracks, if any crack is found then the filter housing should be replaced.
How to Replace Viking Refrigerator Water Filter Housing
Follow the steps below to replace the water filter housing of your Viking refrigerator:
Step 1: For safety, unplug the refrigerator and turn off the water supply.
Step 2: Take out the water filter by turning it counterclockwise.
Step 3: Unthread the screw holding the water filter housing in place. Pull the housing forward to release the locking tab.
Step 4: Shift the refrigerator from the wall so you will have access to the back of the appliance.
Step 5: Remove the water line from the back of the refrigerator. Next, unthread the screws holding the back access panel in place and then take off the panel.
Step 6: Remove the water lines from the valve using an open-end wrench.
Step 7: Go back to the front of the appliance and gently pull out the filter housing.
Step 8: Remove the water line from the old housing and attach it to the new filter housing.
Step 9: Install the new filter housing and recouple the refrigerator by doing the steps in reverse order.
6. Check the Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve is the main source of water in the refrigerator. It takes water from the water supply and sends it throughout the refrigerator. If faulty, the water inlet valve can stay stuck open and cause water to drip out of the refrigerator.
In this case, the inlet valve should be replaced. If you are not so familiar with refrigerator repairs, then call a repair technician. However, if you have enough technical knowledge, you may follow the steps below to replace the inlet valve.
How to Replace Viking Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve
Do the steps below to replace a defective water inlet valve of your Viking refrigerator:
Step one: Unplug the refrigerator to avoid electrocution and shut off the water supply.
Step two: Turn the refrigerator from the wall to have full access to the back of the appliance.
Step three: Remove the water line off the back panel by releasing the tabs holding them in place.
Step four: Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the screws holding the back access panel and take it off.
Step five: Next, locate the inlet valve and disconnect the first water line. To disconnect the remaining water line, the inlet valve has to be unmounted.
Step six: So, unthread the screws holding the mounting brackets and take out the inlet valve.
Step seven: Now, disconnect the water lines connected to the valve. The valve should be completely free at this point.
Step eight: Connect the water lines to the new inlet valve. Put it in place and screw in the mounting brackets. Attach the last water line and screw the access panel back on.
Step nine: Adjust the refrigerator back to its position. And turn on the water supply and the refrigerator.
Viking Refrigerator Water Dispenser Leaking – Quick Fix
Do the following quick fixes to stop your Viking refrigerator water dispenser from leaking water:
1. Flush the Water System
During filter change, air can get trapped in the water line. When this happens, there will be a pressure buildup that will cause water to drip out of the dispenser.
To resolve this, flush the water system. Simply press and hold the dispenser trigger and release after 5 seconds. Keep doing this until you have dispensed about 3 gallons of water.
Also, ensure to flush the water system after each filter change to prevent the reoccurrence of this problem.
2. Level the Refrigerator
Water may drip out of the water dispenser periodically if the refrigerator is not properly leveled. Your Viking refrigerator is meant to be leveled so that the front part is slightly higher than the rear.
Check the refrigerator with a level, if it is not properly leveled, then do the steps below to level it.
How to Level Viking Refrigerator
Level your Viking refrigerator by doing these easy to follow steps:
Step 1: Remove the screws holding the grille at the bottom of the refrigerator and take it out. If your model does not have a grille, skip this step.
Step 2: The leveling legs will be visible with the grille removed. Turn the leveling nuts or legs clockwise to raise them and counterclockwise to lower them.
Step 3: If reaching the nuts is problematic, then you may ask someone to help tilt the refrigerator a bit backward. And then adjust the legs to get the required tilt.
Step 4: Finally, confirm the refrigerator is properly leveled. And then put the grille back on.
3. Check the Water Line
The water line takes water from the water inlet valve to the dispenser. If the water line has a leak or tear then it may be the cause of the dispenser dripping water.
Check the water line at the back of the refrigerator; if it has a tear, then it should be replaced.
To replace the water line, remove the refrigerator’s back access panel. Next, disconnect the dispenser water line from the valve. And then, disconnect the water line from the dispenser as well. Finally, connect the new water line to the dispenser and valve.
Read this article for solutions to other dispenser problems of your Viking refrigerator.
Check out these other articles…
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Kenmore Refrigerator Leaking [How to Fix]
Samsung Ice Maker Not Working [How to Fix]
Maytag Refrigerator Leaking [Solution]
Bosch Refrigerator Leaking [Quick Fix]
Viking Refrigerator Ice Maker Leaking – How to Fix
If the ice maker of your Viking refrigerator is leaking, try the following to fix the problem:
1. Properly secure the Water Line
Check the water line connected to the ice maker, there is a possibility that it is not properly secure. Tighten it properly and if this does not solve the problem then the water line may be bent or has a tear.
In which case, the water line should be replaced. Follow the steps for how to replace your Viking refrigerator water line in the section above.
2. Unclog the Defrost drain
If the defrost drain is clogged then it should be unclogged to allow proper flow of water during the defrost process. You may either put a piece of straight thick wire inside the drain hole and push out the clog. Or flush a mixture of hot water and baking soda down the defrost drain.
3. Replace the Ice Maker
If the leak persists, then a component of the ice maker may be the cause of the leak. However, instead of replacing a part of the ice maker, we recommend you replace the entire assembly.
How to Replace the Ice Maker of a Viking Refrigerator
To replace the ice maker of your Viking refrigerator, do the following steps:
Step 1: Disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply to prevent electrocution. Also, turn off the water supply.
Step 2: Open the refrigerator and take out the ice bin and cover for more workspace.
Step 3: Unthread the screws holding the ice maker in place.
Step 4: Take off the fill tube and then disconnect the connector to the ice maker and the refrigerator. The ice maker should be completely free at this point.
Step 5: Remove the shut-off arm, the wire harness, and the fill tube holder. To remove the wire harness, press it in and depress the clip to release the harness.
Step 6: Attach the wire harness, the file tube holder, and the shut-off arm to the new ice maker.
Step 7: Take the new ice maker to the refrigerator and reconnect the connector to the ice maker. Remount the ice maker and then screw it back on.
Step 8: Test run the ice maker to ensure it is working properly. Finally, put the ice bin and its cover back in place.
Watch this video for a visual representation of these instructions
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