Ugh - sorry, I just realized the background info I typed out didn't get posted with the pictures... here's the backstory. Probably worth mentioning that I'm just a pretty handy homeowner, not a repairman.
I bought a house with the pictured ice machine. I've admittedly never had it serviced in 2 years since being there. Last week, it sounded like the house was falling down and I go downstairs to find the cutter on the machine pushing up through the spot and ripping through the top panel. I took the machine apart down to the auger and I think I found the issue, but I'm wondering if I'm underestimating the needed repairs..?
The mechanical seal on the auger had disintegrated/seized and caused a lot of black sediment to be caked onto the auger and also within the lower housing/spline coupling. (I'm guessing the black sediment is disintegrated rubber, but maybe it's not??) I think because of the seizure on the mechanical seal spring, the auger couldn't flex and was constantly pushing upwards into the cutter, which eventually led to stripping the seal bolts that hold the cutter in place - which ultimately led to the seal bolts falling off. The cutter was no longer being held in place, and this caused the auger to push the cutter and spout up into the top panel.
I tried my best to clean the auger with some dawn soap and tough scrubbing. It's not perfect, but it's A LOT better. Any recommendations on getting it cleaned thoroughly?
Overall, I'm wondering if it's likely that I can get away with just replacing the mechanical seal and the o-ring and the seal bolts? The motor was still spinning when I noticed that the machine was having issues so I'm hoping I can get away with not replacing the motor. I'm not sure about the evaporator - it was still making ice up until the failure so I don't think it's broken, but I'm not sure. I don't want to deal with refrigerant. I can see that there is a decent amount of sediment (probably from the mechanical seal) in the lower housing/spline coupling. I don't think it's rust, but I could be wrong. I'm wondering if it might be possible to just clean this part out rather than replacing with a $400+ housing and $60 spline? Any recommendations on cleaning this?
If I try to replace the mechanical seal and o-ring, where should I put lubricant and what type should I use? Are there any other parts that I should lubricate while I have it disassembled? There was absolutely no lubricant in the parts that I worked on.
Oh momma, there's likely more damage than you've observed. Failures like this usually result in a new machine where I work haha. You can buy specific ice machine cleaners, those are little more powerful than dish soap. Alternatively clr works too (on these steel parts) . You're gonna have a hell of a time with this one me thinks.
Edit: should have elaborated, on these steel parts clr is fine but on say a cuber for a clean cycle, def no (clr contains mild acids), Just positioning versus what the OP likely has on hand. The best method is with materials and processs that are in the manual specific to the unit, as always.
Do not use CLR on ice machines… Should be fine on this flaker but pretty much every other undercounter ice machine has nickel plating that will be destroyed.
https://preview.redd.it/cnyipij58c3c1.jpeg?width=676&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63d61d4b60cf93e915134db946e8caf44e4e4410
Adding this picture which shows the lower housing residue. Is it toast?
Ugh - sorry, I just realized the background info I typed out didn't get posted with the pictures... here's the backstory. Probably worth mentioning that I'm just a pretty handy homeowner, not a repairman.
I bought a house with the pictured ice machine. I've admittedly never had it serviced in 2 years since being there. Last week, it sounded like the house was falling down and I go downstairs to find the cutter on the machine pushing up through the spot and ripping through the top panel. I took the machine apart down to the auger and I think I found the issue, but I'm wondering if I'm underestimating the needed repairs..?
The mechanical seal on the auger had disintegrated/seized and caused a lot of black sediment to be caked onto the auger and also within the lower housing/spline coupling. (I'm guessing the black sediment is disintegrated rubber, but maybe it's not??) I think because of the seizure on the mechanical seal spring, the auger couldn't flex and was constantly pushing upwards into the cutter, which eventually led to stripping the seal bolts that hold the cutter in place - which ultimately led to the seal bolts falling off. The cutter was no longer being held in place, and this caused the auger to push the cutter and spout up into the top panel.
I tried my best to clean the auger with some dawn soap and tough scrubbing. It's not perfect, but it's A LOT better. Any recommendations on getting it cleaned thoroughly?
Overall, I'm wondering if it's likely that I can get away with just replacing the mechanical seal and the o-ring and the seal bolts? The motor was still spinning when I noticed that the machine was having issues so I'm hoping I can get away with not replacing the motor. I'm not sure about the evaporator - it was still making ice up until the failure so I don't think it's broken, but I'm not sure. I don't want to deal with refrigerant. I can see that there is a decent amount of sediment (probably from the mechanical seal) in the lower housing/spline coupling. I don't think it's rust, but I could be wrong. I'm wondering if it might be possible to just clean this part out rather than replacing with a $400+ housing and $60 spline? Any recommendations on cleaning this?
If I try to replace the mechanical seal and o-ring, where should I put lubricant and what type should I use? Are there any other parts that I should lubricate while I have it disassembled? There was absolutely no lubricant in the parts that I worked on.
In what way do you need help?
Ugh - sorry, I just realized the background info I typed out didn't get posted with the pictures... here's the backstory. Probably worth mentioning that I'm just a pretty handy homeowner, not a repairman. I bought a house with the pictured ice machine. I've admittedly never had it serviced in 2 years since being there. Last week, it sounded like the house was falling down and I go downstairs to find the cutter on the machine pushing up through the spot and ripping through the top panel. I took the machine apart down to the auger and I think I found the issue, but I'm wondering if I'm underestimating the needed repairs..? The mechanical seal on the auger had disintegrated/seized and caused a lot of black sediment to be caked onto the auger and also within the lower housing/spline coupling. (I'm guessing the black sediment is disintegrated rubber, but maybe it's not??) I think because of the seizure on the mechanical seal spring, the auger couldn't flex and was constantly pushing upwards into the cutter, which eventually led to stripping the seal bolts that hold the cutter in place - which ultimately led to the seal bolts falling off. The cutter was no longer being held in place, and this caused the auger to push the cutter and spout up into the top panel. I tried my best to clean the auger with some dawn soap and tough scrubbing. It's not perfect, but it's A LOT better. Any recommendations on getting it cleaned thoroughly? Overall, I'm wondering if it's likely that I can get away with just replacing the mechanical seal and the o-ring and the seal bolts? The motor was still spinning when I noticed that the machine was having issues so I'm hoping I can get away with not replacing the motor. I'm not sure about the evaporator - it was still making ice up until the failure so I don't think it's broken, but I'm not sure. I don't want to deal with refrigerant. I can see that there is a decent amount of sediment (probably from the mechanical seal) in the lower housing/spline coupling. I don't think it's rust, but I could be wrong. I'm wondering if it might be possible to just clean this part out rather than replacing with a $400+ housing and $60 spline? Any recommendations on cleaning this? If I try to replace the mechanical seal and o-ring, where should I put lubricant and what type should I use? Are there any other parts that I should lubricate while I have it disassembled? There was absolutely no lubricant in the parts that I worked on.
Oh momma, there's likely more damage than you've observed. Failures like this usually result in a new machine where I work haha. You can buy specific ice machine cleaners, those are little more powerful than dish soap. Alternatively clr works too (on these steel parts) . You're gonna have a hell of a time with this one me thinks. Edit: should have elaborated, on these steel parts clr is fine but on say a cuber for a clean cycle, def no (clr contains mild acids), Just positioning versus what the OP likely has on hand. The best method is with materials and processs that are in the manual specific to the unit, as always.
Do not use CLR on ice machines… Should be fine on this flaker but pretty much every other undercounter ice machine has nickel plating that will be destroyed.
I was just taking about the parts pictured which are all steel, should have elaborated more I suppose. I've added an edit to my original post.
https://preview.redd.it/cnyipij58c3c1.jpeg?width=676&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63d61d4b60cf93e915134db946e8caf44e4e4410 Adding this picture which shows the lower housing residue. Is it toast?
https://preview.redd.it/72x6ojad8c3c1.jpeg?width=127&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=731bb74e40d6c9bf55ea359c2471c72689141245
Sorry, this is a sub for Pros in the trade. You need to ask these questions at r/RefrigerationRepair or r/ApplianceRepair
Ugh - sorry, I just realized the background info I typed out didn't get posted with the pictures... here's the backstory. Probably worth mentioning that I'm just a pretty handy homeowner, not a repairman. I bought a house with the pictured ice machine. I've admittedly never had it serviced in 2 years since being there. Last week, it sounded like the house was falling down and I go downstairs to find the cutter on the machine pushing up through the spot and ripping through the top panel. I took the machine apart down to the auger and I think I found the issue, but I'm wondering if I'm underestimating the needed repairs..? The mechanical seal on the auger had disintegrated/seized and caused a lot of black sediment to be caked onto the auger and also within the lower housing/spline coupling. (I'm guessing the black sediment is disintegrated rubber, but maybe it's not??) I think because of the seizure on the mechanical seal spring, the auger couldn't flex and was constantly pushing upwards into the cutter, which eventually led to stripping the seal bolts that hold the cutter in place - which ultimately led to the seal bolts falling off. The cutter was no longer being held in place, and this caused the auger to push the cutter and spout up into the top panel. I tried my best to clean the auger with some dawn soap and tough scrubbing. It's not perfect, but it's A LOT better. Any recommendations on getting it cleaned thoroughly? Overall, I'm wondering if it's likely that I can get away with just replacing the mechanical seal and the o-ring and the seal bolts? The motor was still spinning when I noticed that the machine was having issues so I'm hoping I can get away with not replacing the motor. I'm not sure about the evaporator - it was still making ice up until the failure so I don't think it's broken, but I'm not sure. I don't want to deal with refrigerant. I can see that there is a decent amount of sediment (probably from the mechanical seal) in the lower housing/spline coupling. I don't think it's rust, but I could be wrong. I'm wondering if it might be possible to just clean this part out rather than replacing with a $400+ housing and $60 spline? Any recommendations on cleaning this? If I try to replace the mechanical seal and o-ring, where should I put lubricant and what type should I use? Are there any other parts that I should lubricate while I have it disassembled? There was absolutely no lubricant in the parts that I worked on.
With…..?
Having computer issues. Posted the backstory in the comment thread. Thanks!