Ice Maker

[lupi]

Think I have a problem with my ice maker. First had noticed that I was started to get some of the cubes made that seemed a little hollow/not fully filled before freezing. I've since also noticed when looking into the bin that large chunks of cubes seem to be stuck together, almost as if some water was sprinkled on them.

Is there anyway to easily diagnose what could be going on?

 

[waffleironhead]

Is this a new fridge? Most new issues with ice makers have to do with the fridge being out of level. The cube nearest the temp sensor has less water in it and freezes quicker, then the maker dumps the rest of the cubes before they are finished freezing. The chunks stuck together are from the unfrozen water leaking out of the hollow cubes.
If this just recently started happening then its probably an issue with the temp sensor in the maker.
What is the make and model of the unit?

 

[Blain]

Cubes stuck together mean you should decrease the water flow a bit.
A small screw under the cover or on the side of the ice maker allows you to adjust the amount of water that flows into the tray.
Google the model of your frig to find out about your specific unit.

Adjust in tiny increments, then allow the ice maker to cycle.

Ice makers are fairly simple devices... tray, fingers/tines, thermostat, motor to turn the fingers/tines.

 

[lupi]

But the cubes that are made do not have enough water in them either. I understand if too much water was coming in that it could be overflowing, but it seems not enough stays in the tray.


This is a 3+ year unit, problem is a couple months old.

 

[Micrornd]

Ice makers do wear out, although 3yrs is a little early.
The liner (mold tray) that the cubes are formed in is plastic and over time it does wear through and begin to leak.
It is very hard to see when in the freezer, but it only takes a couple minutes to remove the ice maker and check the mold tray.
Normally you remove the bottom screw, loosen the upper 2 screws and unplug the electric connector to remove and reverse to install.
If the mold tray is worn through in some spots, it is cheapest to just replace the entire unit with one from Ebay.
And if it is worn through after just 3 yrs., you really need to add a water filter to the water supply line.

 

[lupi]

Unit has a filter included, assuming the ice water also goes through that.

I know getting the ice bin out is easy, was thinking about checking the ice tray to see if I could pull it and check it's condition.

 

[lupi]

Last weekend I finally had some time to take it apart and investigate further. Found a small slug of ice in the water delivery tube right were it passed through the backwall. Don't think that had a major impact but was another symptom.

Took the unit out and melted/dried it and reinstalled. Managed to catch it going through the cycle a couple times. Only enough water is being recieved to partially fill the first 2-4 cubes. Seems because so little water, the sensor thinks it has frozen already due to overall temp and is dumping early. Then when it goes through the dump process the arms are pushing through the not fully frozen cubes and letting the small amount of non-frozen water out.

Now the question is do I have a bad water solenoid or is the water setting just far off from what is needed?

 

[boomerang]

I have no practical knowledge of the functions behind an ice maker but it would seem to me that there must be either a timer in conjunction with the solenoid that controls water flow or a flow sensor. A flow sensor seems more likely but perhaps the cost is prohibitive? If there is a timer, then the water flow must be restricted such that it will work across the range of flow rates that are typical for a residence.

Having said that, is there any chance that the supply line to the refrigerator has either been kinked or that a shut off valve has been closed to the point of restricting water flow? The plumbers soldered in a shut off valve in the basement of my house to provide water to the ice maker. Do you have a shut off valve? Is it fully open?

 

[lupi]

It's a timer with a set screw adjuster.

Tested water pressure via front door water dispenser and it comes out fine.

 

[Micrornd]

All icemaker water inlet valves I've seen have an inlet screen.
You may want to check that yours is not partially clogged or have debris in it.

 

[lupi]

My unit has a built in filter, assuming ice line is taken after that which should mean no debris of that nature could reach the ice water line valve.

 

[boomerang]

So, what's your next step? I think I'd be checking for good flow both before the solenoid and after the solenoid (I'm assuming the solenoid is integrated with the valve) and if those check out I'd be very much suspecting the timer.

 

[Micrornd]

My unit has a built in filter, assuming ice line is taken after that which should mean no debris of that nature could reach the ice water line valve.

Assumptions have been the downfall of the best of us.
Does it really take that long to check it?

 

[Raizinman]

Change refrigerator water filter.

 

[lupi]

I was thinking about checking the amount it actually filled, but never managed to catch it other than sticking fingers in just after and noticing the water level seemed low.

After catching it in a dumping action, went to adjust the water fill set screw. Didn't manage to get it down before it filled so I filled a small measuring cup and topped what was I there off. Those cubes came out fine (maybe slightly overfilled may a drastic improvement over what was filling the bin). Another couple of dumps and I should have an idea of how well it's working at the new setting.

 

[lupi]

After adjusting everything possible and checking for proper operation, went ahead and ordered a new fill valve solenoid. Given my problem with getting some water but not enough, figure it is more likely to be a solenoid problem than the internal electronics of the ice maker itself. I'm assuming my partial failure is somewhat of an oddity as most incidents and repair suggestions I came across describe getting normal flow when desired and a dribble flow after or no flow at all while I had insufficent flow.

 

[lupi]

installed the new water solenoid. Everything worked great started with the next fresh batch of ice since then. Now i'm slowly tweaking the water fill rate down as it's slightly overfilling (not out of tray, just enough to keep cubes from easily breaking apart once dumped).