Cause of Kitchenaid refrigerator model ktrs21, defrost water leaks from top freezer into fridge sect

My Kitchenaid refrigerator model ktrs21, ten years old, started leaking defrost water from top freezer into lower fridge section about two years ago. (There is no ice maker in freezer). The defrost water will not go down the drain tube (from the drain pan in the freezer to the evaporator tray underneath the unit). Instead, the defrost water refreezes on the freezer floor, builds up, then overflows into the fridge section thru the three air exchange openings.

To fix, I turn the power off and soften the ice with a hair dryer and remove it. This resolves the leaking problem for several weeks, until the ice builds up again and the leaking starts all over.

The drain tube has an obstruction at about the bottom of the freezer; either it is not continuous by design, or somehow became closed. The back of the refrigerator is sealed, so there is no obvious way of getting to the drain tube from the back.

Any idea of cause of water leak and how to fix??

Thanks in advance.

Frank

Cause of Kitchenaid refrigerator model ktrs21, defrost water leaks from top freezer into fridge section?

you have a clogged defrost drain, but its not clogged with anything but ice, a failing common to KA T/B models. It clogs with ice because the drain pan, which is behind the back wall underneath the evaporator coil, and the floor of the freezer arent steep enough for the water that drips down from the evaporator, to rush down the drain. So some water stays in the pan and freezes, eventually cloogging up the hole, and then you eventually get to where you are.

the cure is a simple AND inexpensive. If it costs more than 5 cents, you used too much wire. lol BUT, it will be rather inconvenient, cuz it is BEST to unplug, open both doors, and blow a fan for 24 hours to melt all the ice that you cant get to. WARNING: do not attempt to poke at drain with anything period. if you poke the wrong way, and you will, you'll create a problem extremely difficult to fix. patience is a virtue.

After its completely defrosted, take a piece of solid 14 or 12 gauge wire, typical wire used for household wiring is said wire, strip all insulation off wire. Needle nose pliers work best for this drain heater wire. bend the end of the wire so it looks like you have a candy cane with a very long tail. the cane part should be between 褰? and 闄? in diameter, just big enough to hook onto the cal rod heater which hangs below the evaporator coil, above the drain pain. Its a black or dark gray looking wire about 褰? in diameter. wrap this wire around the heater a few times and then cut the wire so that you have a tail of about 4-6 inches. With this end of the wire you just cut bend and close the end of it so it looks like a ? that has been shut closed. the purpose of this is to prevent the end of the wire getting caught on any part of the rubber drain tubing, since you are now going to stick the end of the wire down the drain hole, which will now heat up every time unit defrosts, and will melt any ice that will surround that drain hole again, but will allow a path for water past the freezing point

UPDATED: Since you are attempting to do this by yourself, please re-read my answer. I know it may be inconvenient, but the best and only way I will instruct, is what I have already stated, and that includes not poking anything. If you insist on doing so, you do so at your own risk.

Cause of Kitchenaid refrigerator model ktrs21, defrost water leaks from top freezer into fridge section?

fill a turkey baster w/hot soapy water and blast it up the tube.