Introduction: Fix for Defect Water Hose of a Side-by-side Frigerator
We own a LG side-by-side refrigerator with ice maker. After a few years of use, the hose that supplies the ice maker with water through the door cracked. When I asked the customer service I got a link to a video describing an easy way to repair it. Unfortunately the solution worked only for a limited time, because the hose was already too fragile and leaked again after a short time.
Link to the video description of the minimal invasive solution:
Step 1: Alternative Approach
Since the hose connector that is plugged into the hose did not work, I had the idea to open the refrigerator and use a hose connector that is put over the hose ends.
After some thinking, I came to the conclusion that it would be easiest to open the fridge door from the outside. In the next step I wanted to find the hose in the insulation, cut it and connect a new piece of hose with a hose connector.
Step 2: Bill of Materials and Used Tools
Materials:
- Hose connector 5/16" to 5/16"
- Hose 5/16"
I used a rotary tool (Dremel) with a metal cutting wheel to cut the outer shell.
Step 3: Fixing the Hose
At first, I dismounted the door. Instructions can be found in the manual or on the internet.
I've drawn a rectangle on the side of the door: Width approx. 35mm, length approx. 300mm, about 130mm from the bottom of the door. On three sides of the rectangle I carefully cut the outer shell with the Dremel. Be careful not to cut too deep - otherwise you could damage the hose at an unfavourable position.
Next, I bent up the sheet and looked for the hose in the insulation. Then I cut the hose and pulled out the lower end. After making some space in the insulation for the hose connector, I inserted a new hose from below and connected it to the other end.
