I have a freezer-on-top Amana refrigerator of indeterminate age (it was in my house when I bought it, definitely not brand new) that is leaking water (what I hope is just water) into the interior of the refrigerator.

The water has been dripping pretty steadily for a few days from an air vent (?) in the "ceiling" of the refrigerator compartment. It comes out in a gush if I bump the area around the "vent" (which is just a few oblong openings 1/4 inch x 3 inches).

Is this a big problem? Should I pay a repair man $80 just to come look at it? or is this something that might be fixed by clearing (probably un-freezing) the defrost drain?

Any advice appreciated!!
Sarah
Cambridge, MA

** freezer-on-top Amana refrigerator of indeterminate age **

I'm afraid that is not enough information to identify the appliance in question. What is needed is its exact model number and in the case of it being an Amana, its manufacturing (MFG) number as well.

You can find tips for locating the model and serial number identification tag on your appliances at the following link:

- Model Number Tag Search
LINK > www.appliance411.com/parts/tagsearch.cgi


** water has been dripping from the "ceiling" of the refrigerator compartment. **

It may have a plugged defrost water drain.

** Is this a big problem? **

A plugged defrost water drain wouldn't normally be considered "major" but will depend on what actually turns out to be causing it.

** Should I pay a repair man $80 just to come look at it? **

That will be up to you.

** or is this something that might be fixed by clearing (probably un-freezing) the defrost drain? **

That is one possibility for the cause, yes. Has anyone looked at it to try to determine if a drain blockage is the cause and if so, is it only blocked with ice?

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Amana+Fridge
The Appliance Information Site
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Hi Dan,

Thanks for your reply. I looked up the identifying information inside my Amana refrigerator.

The Model number TQ20QBL
Manufacturer number P1111603WI
Serial number 9201244899

Since I posted, there has been less spontaneous dripping. But when we press on the roof of the refrigerator near the "vent" more water spills out.

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Sarah

Defrost water would usually occur every 6-12 hours (depending on how its defrost timer was wired and how much the fridge was running) as it automatically defrosts.

** when we press on the roof of the refrigerator near the "vent" more water spills out. **

That could indicate a problem with the insulation block between the fridge and freezer compartment. It is common with the age of your model. There is a repair kit (see the link below) to correct it and also occasional freezing closed of the defrost water drain but is a fairly large job.

- Amana Drain and divider block kit
LINK > www.appliance411.com/data.php?rc=753913
(The kit should include installation instructions.)

If needed it might be worthwhile to have done if you could do it yourself. Having it installed by a technician might not be worthwhile for that age of refrigerator.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Amana+Fridge
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

We had a similar problem and had to flush out the tubing. Worked fine from there.

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your advice and the link to the repair kit.

In your answer you were talking about what would and wouldn't be worth it, given the age of our refrigerator. Since it was in our house when we bought it, we don't actually know it's age. Can you give us a ball park estimate of the age of our refrigerator? (more precise is better too... : ) )

Thanks!
Sarah

You can find your appliances' age using my web site's service linked below.

- Appliance411: Date Code Search
LINK > www.appliance411.com/service/date-code.php

Your fridge appears to have been manufactured January of 1992. (Pretty easy to figure out for your particular model's serial number format).

JFYI

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Amana+Fridge
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~