Our Sub-Zero(model 650) refer has a a whiteish corrugated tube that comes down the back of the refrig. and hangs above the middle of the drain pan in the back. Every two weeks we have to remove the overflow of water that collects and freezes behind the crispers, and eventually ends up leaking onto my hardwood floor. We blow air down into the tube and a lot of brown gunk is deposited into the drip pan. How can we fix this?

Usually from plugged evaporator drain tube.

remove all the drawers and unscrew the frame that holds the drawers. Free the the drain tube (need to unscrew the clamps that hold the tube to the back wall). Pull it up from the bottom hole where it drains into the pan and free it from the top drain pan. Most likely it\'s plugged with crap and fungus and yecchy stuff. Clean it out and reinstall it.

remove all the drawers and unscrew the frame that holds the drawers. Free the the drain tube (need to unscrew the clamps that hold the tube to the back wall). Pull it up from the bottom hole where it drains into the pan and free it from the top drain pan. Most likely it's plugged with **** and fungus and yecchy stuff. Clean it out and reinstall it.

The drain pan in the back evaporates from the heat of the compressor. The freezer drain drains into this pan. If there is water under the bins it sounds like the drain is partially clogged and over flowing into the refrig section. But I need more info, like model , brand.

If the ice is on the back panel especially a block of ice in the middle left part of your panel, then you have a sealed system problem. Check to make sure that your condensor coils above the refer are clean, and if it continues to have an ice block then you have to have a technician come out an do a major repair. This is not something you can do yourself, most subzeros have a 6 to 12 year sealed system warrantee that covers either all of the repair or just parts. This is an expensive repair if it is not warranteed, but when the refers cost 8000 to 10000 new it is usually well worth it. Most often it is the result of a slowly leaking evaporator, though most inexperienced technicians replace the compressor first, so make sure you use an experienced Sub-Zero technician. Good Luck, Appliance Specialits

No it should drain immediately.
Your evaporator coils frost up in normal use and every eight hours or so the entire unit shuts down and the defrost heater comes on to melt the frost. This cycle last about 20 minutes. The melted frost drips into a drain pan and through a drain tube to the drain tray under the freezer/refrigerator where it's evaporated by the condenser fan.


Your drain tube may be stopped up with ice at the upper end because it drains too slow because it's stopped up at the lower end in the evaporator pan under the unit at the floor. It can get dust and mold in it. Once you get the ice out at the top a little pressure with a turkey baster will usually clear it out. Flushing it out with hot water and clorox may help.
Make sure it drains quick enough to prevent refreezing. . The drain should be located below the evaporator coils on the lower back of the freezer.

replacing leaking evaporator on Sub Zero Video

hi there,

the tube that you are talking about is the water line and it runs all the way to the icemaker. not sure about the copper line and it's also not a good idea, as cooper conducts electricity and you may damage your heat exchanger or even worse your compressor. i would have a technician come and take a look at this one. the mfg. should have a water line freeze kit available to remedy this problem.

This article is revealing and contains several paragraphs on Sub-Zero units:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18176916/
 

I fixed my leaking problem by pulling out the vegetable drawer and checking the condensation drain hose. Sure enough, it was clogged and the condensation had nowhere to go but move out toward the front of the fridge, down the left side and onto the floor. Once that drain hose was cleared (with a bendable straw), no more leak!

Seems to be a common problem with these units. You can get a drain tube heater ( got mine from an online refrigerator parts distributor), though may not totally solve problem. Some suggest running a copper wire through tube - supposed to conduct just enough heat to keep tube from freezing.