Refrigerator drain problem

[Ted1394]

My 1992 38s5 refrigerator doesn't drain. I just got the boat in May and haven't learned everything about the systems, but I can't see where the drain hose goes so I don't know if there is a valve that needs to be turned on, or if there is an obstruction in the line. I even tried a plunger in case it was a paper label or something like that that may have gotten into the line and obstructed it.Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Doug_Meyer]

Switch near the galley sink?

Just a thought, my fridge drain is tied to a bilge pump.The other problem might be "goo" in the drain line. You may have to take the line apart and run a snake through it.

 

[Ted1394]

Mystery solved

Thanks, Doug. A friend with a 1999 321 said the same thing...and while investigating that possibility just a few minutes ago I discovered that the refrigerator drain is the foot pump on the floor in front of the sinks. I had been under the mistaken impression that that footpump was to pump lake water in to rinse the sinks without using the fresh water tank water. Operating the footpump drains the fridge and empties into the port-side sink through a separate, special faucet.

 

[Mike B]

It may do both

Double check for a valve around the foot pump. Olders Benny's had foot pumps that would empty the fridge or bring in sea water depending on the position of the valve . Not sure you have one but I'll bet you do.

 

[Ted1394]

The rest of the story........

Thanks, Mike....you're right. There is what I thought was a simple thru-hull valve, but upon closer examination and testing, the two-position valve does switch between fridge drain hose leading to footpump when handle is vertical, to the horizontal position which allows seawater in to footpump.All this time I've thought I was closing the thruhull when I'd leave the boat for a few days by putting it in the horizontal position, when in fact I was opening it, making it vulnerable to take in seaswater if the thru hull or the footpump hose connections had failed. I think I finally get it! Thanks!

 

[Mike B]

Had the same set up

I had the same set up on a 91 F310 and had to figure out the same thing. Glad you've got it under control.Mike