Fisher And Paykel Refrigerator Leaking

A leak in your Fisher And Paykel refrigerator can disrupt many daily kitchen activities and may cause a mess in the kitchen.

So, you should prioritize getting it fixed as soon as possible. But is calling the technician necessary for fixing any leakage? Can you fix it all by yourself? If so, how do you do it? 

Don’t worry — you’ll find the answer to all such questions in our comprehensive guide. Go ahead and give it a read. 

Fisher And Paykel Refrigerator Leaking

Once you notice a leak in the refrigerator, the first step should be to check its various parts and take the necessary measures to tackle any fault therein. 

1. Drainage Tube

Note that the tube for drainage in a refrigerator transports the residual water to the drainage tray. Now, this tube may sometimes be clogged by food particles, dirt buildup, debris, or ice. And ultimately, the blockage can cause the tube to overflow with water. 

You can use a clog-removal tool to deal with such clogs in the tube opening attached to the refrigerator. And in case you’re unable to identify the opening, we’d suggest calling in a technician to conduct the repair. 

After the clog is removed, you’ll have to flush the drain with hot water to ensure it’s entirely clean. And in case ice accumulation is causing the clog, you can try defrosting the fridge as that’s most likely to fix the problem. 

2. Drain Tray

Located underneath the refrigerator, the drain tray collects condensed water and is a probable source of water that leaks from the refrigerator bottom. 

Now, there are several possible reasons behind a leakage in this tray:

• A damaged tray
• Overflowing tray
• Unlevel refrigerator

First off, you should assess the drain to confirm that it’s causing the leakage. And for that, all you need to do is remove the back panel of the unit and locate the tray. 

Then, check for any cracks; make sure you don’t overlook even slight cracks. And in case you find a crack, the tray will need immediate replacement. 

If you find that the tray is overflowing, detach and empty it completely. However, the overflow might also be caused due to an operational glitch, such as a fridge temperature that is set too low. In such a situation, the compressor, which blows warm air to vaporize the tray water, might be unable to do so. 

Hence, to prevent this problem from recurring in the future, it’s best to raise the fridge temperature. On a side note, the accepted maximum temperature of a refrigerator is 40°F, so make sure not to exceed it. 

But in case the drain continues to overflow despite increasing the temperature rise, you’ll have to consult a reliable technician or plumbing service. 

Also, an unleveled refrigerator might rock occasionally, and in case that happens, the water might spill out of the drain tray. So, you should check the leveling of the refrigerator using a carpenter’s level. And if you find that it is rocking, make sure it’s properly leveled soon. 

To level a Fisher and Paykel fridge, you must follow the steps listed below: 

Step 1: Start off by unscrewing and detaching the grille at the refrigerator bottom. Note that this step is only applicable for fridges that come with a grille. 

Step 2: The legs will be visible after the grille is removed. Then, you’ll have to turn them counterclockwise or clockwise to lower or raise them; adjust the legs adequately to get the tilt you require. 

Step 3: Now, test the refrigerator to ensure it’s leveled properly, and then screw the grille back just as it was. 

3. Water Tank 

For leaks within the refrigerator, the water tank is the first component you’ll need to examine. As it’s made of plastic, the water tank is prone to leaks and tears. 

First off, you’ll have to open the fridge, find the water tank and examine it carefully for any leak on its surface. If you find one or more leaks, the tank must be replaced. And the good news is that you can conduct this replacement on your own. Here’s how you should proceed:

Step 1: Close the water supply to the refrigerator and unplug it from the power outlet. At this point, you must also take out the refrigerator shelves to allow more workspace. 

Step 2: The next step will be to remove the PC duct cover and detach the sensor. And if the water tank has a cover, make sure to remove that too. 

Step 3: Place a putty knife on the tank and lift the clip holding it, as that will make it easy to remove the tank. 

Step 4: Notably, the water supply lines must be kept easily accessible; hence you’ll need to disconnect them and detach the tank completely. 

Step 5: Complete the process by installing the new tank and reassembling the fridge. You’ll just need to follow all these steps in reverse for the latter part. 

4. Inlet Valve

All the components of a Fisher and Paykel fridge receive water through a water inlet valve. As such, if the refrigerator bottom is leaking, the chances are that the valve is causing the leakage. 

The first thing you need to do is remove the back access panel of the fridge and ascertain whether the leak is originating from the inlet valve. If you spot the leak, it’s either due to a defect in the inlet valve or low water pressure. It’s also worth noting that the valve will remain open in either of the situations, which will ultimately lead to a leakage. 

For any refrigerator, the water pressure should be at least 20 psi so that the inlet valve shuts off when required. On that note, you must first test the water supply using the following method:

Step 1: Begin by turning off the water supply and detaching the water line from the inlet valve. 

Step 2: Now, hold the tube on top of a bucket and turn on the water supply. 

Step 3: If you find the water jetting out strongly, you can rest assured that the water pressure is normal. However, a weak flow indicates low water pressure. 

In the latter situation, you must remove the supply line as it might be the source of the issue. But if it isn’t fixed even after the removal, the water source has to be changed.    

Apart from that, the inlet valve may be defective and stuck open in case the issue persists. The valve needs replacement in such situations. But in case you aren’t confident about your own technical skills, it will be best to bring in a technician for the job. 

Anyhow, we’ve put down the steps involved in the replacement procedure in a simplified manner:

Step 1: Disconnect the fridge from the power outlet to rule out any electrical mishaps and close the water supply. Now, turn the unit from the wall so that you can access its rear. 

Step 2: Follow this by detaching the inlet valve from the water line using an open-end wrench. And next, you must unscrew the back panel.   

Step 3: You can now identify the inlet valve and pull it out carefully by unthreading the screws that fix it in place. 

Step 4: Then, remove the wire harness that connects to the valve using a flat head screwdriver.  

Step 5: Make sure the water line is completely separated from the valve. 

Step 6: Next, you’ll have to fix the new inlet valve and reattach the water line to it. Also, the wire harness should be plugged back into the valve. 

Step 7: Finally, put back the cover on the access panel and join the valve to the water line.   

5. Door Seal

One of the most common causes behind a leaking Fisher and Paykel fridge is a faulty door seal. After all, the door seal is primarily responsible for preventing moisture from entering the fridge. 

And with regular use, this seal might become dirty, worn out, and unable to serve its purpose. Eventually, warm air will enter the refrigerator, causing the excess moisture to gather inside. 

In case the door seals are dirty, you’ll have to clean them using mild detergent and a dish-cleaning cloth. Also, if you find that the seal is worn-out, it’s best to replace the gaskets. And for that, here are the steps you’ll need to follow: 

Step 1: Open the fridge door, and using your fingers, pry off the upper corner of the seal.  

Step 2: While holding on to the corner, drag the seal off its track. Follow this by inspecting the track to make sure it doesn’t contain any remnant of the seal. 

Step 3: Remember that you’ll have to buy a replacement door seal beforehand, ensuring that it fits the fridge perfectly. And at this point, you should start fitting the seal from any top corner of the door. 

Step 4: Next, you’ll have to press the seal onto the entire track firmly so that it’s put in place. 

Step 5: Last but not least, double-check the track to ensure there are no bumps or folds along its length.  

Water dispenser dripping

A dripping water dispenser on a Fisher and Paykel refrigerator can be a frustrating issue. To fix it, check the water filter, it might need to be replaced.

If the filter is not the problem, check the water dispenser tubing for any kinks or blockages. Straighten out the tubing and remove any blockages. If the problem persists, the water dispenser valve may need to be checked and possibly replaced.

Consult the user manual for the specific model of refrigerator to ensure the proper troubleshooting steps are taken and the right replacement parts are used. If the issue persists, it is recommended to seek professional service.

Some Common Signs Of A Leakage 

Now that you know more about the components that must be examined and treated for water leakage, let’s look at some common signs of a leaking refrigerator. 

A. Water Filter Leakage

If you find the water filter of the refrigerator to be leaking, it may be due to any of the following reasons:

1. Wrong Size Of Water Filter

In case the filter is of the wrong size for the fridge, it might not fit perfectly in the filter housing. As such, water will soon start leaking out of the space between the housing and the filter. In this situation, it is best to get this filter replaced as soon as possible.

2. Torn Or Missing Seal

As we mentioned earlier, missing or torn seals can also cause a leak. So, you’ll need to replace the faulty part to solve the issue. Note that the seal lies underneath the filter, so you’ll have to remove the filter to inspect it.  

3. An Older Model

Keep in mind that there’s a recommended period of usage for any fridge filter, and in the case of most Fisher and Paykel models, it’s six months. That’s why it becomes prone to clogging if it’s used longer than the recommended duration. In such cases, you should replace the filter altogether rather than clean it. 

4. Cracked Filter Housing 

If the filter is working properly, the chances are that its housing is cracked. So, take the filter out, unscrew the housing, and check it thoroughly for any cracks. You’ll have to replace it with a new filter in case you find any signs of wear. 

B. Leaking Water Dispenser

A leak in the water dispenser is among the most common issues affecting any Fisher And Paykel refrigerator. 

To tackle this fault, you can flush the system by dispensing large amounts of water, which will remove any air in the water supply line. Alternatively, you can empty the catch tray of the dispenser as it might have become full and started overflowing, which, in turn, might have caused the leakage.  

Final Words 

More confident about dealing with the leakage in your Fisher and Paykel refrigerator now? 

So, without wasting a moment, start checking the components we talked about in the article and observe the external part for any leakage. Make sure to gather your set of screwdrivers before you begin the job. Till next time, take care!