Stop 11 of 14 To the dispenser
The Dispenser Valve and the Line to It
| Blamed | Found |
|---|---|
| The switch, because the water spits and sputters | Air trapped after a cartridge change; on Classic dispenser models two minutes of running water clears it. |
| A leak, because drops sit in the grille | Ordinary drops: the Classic guide says the removable grille collects them and is not a drain. |
| The switch, because water keeps coming after release | A valve that no longer closes fully; this time the part really is the fault. |
When the complaint is a water dispenser that spits, trickles or does nothing, what we usually find is air left in the line after a filter change, or the lock switched on. When water keeps coming after the button is let go, what we usually find is a valve that no longer shuts fully. Sub-Zero Repair Bothell sorts one from the other, (206) 202-2799.
- Dispenser valve and tubing, in one line
- The valve that opens to send water to the dispenser while WATER is pressed, and the line that carries it there. Sub-Zero Repair Bothell tests it once the lock, trapped air and the filter are ruled out.
- Filed
- Written by
- Marta Fennimore
- Works on
- ice systems and water supply
- Years at it
- 12
- Holds
- EPA 608 certified
Two kinds of dispenser
On the Classic built-ins the dispenser is often inside the refrigerator: models BI-42SID and BI-48SID have an internal ice and water dispenser sized for a pint glass, and water-only models have one on the left wall that runs while a glass is pressed against it. Other Classic models dispense through the door, as the older 500 Series Model 590 does. So the line runs inside the cabinet on some units and out through the door on others.
The order we check, and a drip after release
Lock first, then air, then the filter and the pressure behind it, and the valve last. Water that keeps coming once the button is let go, or a slow drip between uses, is the valve not sealing, and that repair sits in the ice and water band shown below.
Check it yourself, or call
| Check | Who | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Lock indicator off | You | On Classic external dispensers LOCK is held three seconds to set or clear. |
| Grille lifted out and emptied | You | Never pour water into it; it only catches drops. |
| Valve tested open and closed with power applied | Technician | Settles valve against switch in one test. |
| Anything behind a panel, and any wiring | Technician | Stop there and call Sub-Zero Repair Bothell on (206) 202-2799. |
What it costs
- Ice maker, water valve or supply line $290–$820
Parts and labour, as a range: the part your model takes and the work to reach it settle where inside it the job falls, and you get that one figure before anything is done. $89 gets a technician to the unit and pays for finding the fault; agree to the repair and that $89 is taken back off its price.
Questions about the dispenser valve and tubing
- Why does my Sub-Zero water dispenser sputter?
- Usually air. After a new filter, or on first use, the line and tank hold air that has to be pushed out. Sub-Zero asks for two minutes of dispensing on Classic dispenser models after a filter change, and a three-minute purge the first time. If it keeps sputtering after that, call Sub-Zero Repair Bothell on (206) 202-2799.
- Is there a limit on how long the dispenser can run?
- Yes. Sub-Zero asks for seven minutes or less of continuous ice and water dispensing on the Classic, and no more than eight on the older Model 590, whose guide warns that longer runs damage the equipment. Filling a large pot is better done in stages, with a pause between them.
Where this repair is filed
- Repair Sub-Zero Refrigerator Repair in Bothell
- Repair Sub-Zero Ice Maker Repair in Bothell
- What it costs Water under the unit
