How to fix a leaking Sub-Zero refrigerator drain. Side by side unit bi-48s bi-42s bi36s

This is the best way to unclog a sub-zero drain tube.
This is extremely common on newer Sub Zero models made since the year 2008 that are in the side-by-side configuration.
Bi-48s bi-42s bi-36s Are the common models where this will apply but the concept is the same just about all refrigerators that use a condensation line into a pan.

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[@scotttanaka5023]

Thanks for the video. After seeing where the drain hole is, I was able to use a cable tie to unclog the blockage WITHOUT having to remove a single screw. The cable tie will fit in between the back panel and the bottom of the fridge.

[@robertallen8162]

This was a "life saver"! Wolf doesn't provide any hint in the owners manual that this can be an issue or how to fix, and I got as far as taking the 4 screws out of the back panel but was convinced I was going to break something trying to figure out how to get behind it. Also, removing the two nylon plugs was interesting (something else I figured I would break), and would be a helpful add to your great video. And I'm glad I went in from the top, rather than from the bottom, because by the time the water condensation is backing up under the crisper and running out on the right front of the door, you can believe you need to clean that drain trough in the back where stuff started growing. Yours looked clean compared to mine!

[@subzerorepair]

Oh yah they can get pretty nasty, a good scrubbing is always in order or you will clog up again in no time at all.

[@Shirsathe]

My 48 inch sub zero ran into this issue after 4.5 years. Your video was the first hit I got on TH-cam and I'm so thankful to you for posting the video. I used the pipe cleaner to clear the drain and it worked. Didn't venture into getting the nitrogen tank. Hoping that it lasts another 5 years. Thanks again.

[@subzerorepair]

Glad it helped

[@wenchunfan]

great video! Just followed the instructions and cleared the drain! somehow I coould not get the panel to open so wide, so I just lifted it up less than an inch exposing the drain location and used a thin pipe cleaner on it. Thanks!!

[@subzerorepair]

Great comment! Everyone should try to push on the panel, you don’t need much room once you know where the drain is and some units are easy to expose it just by pushing on the wall!

[@jeffj7098]

Thank you !! This was the exact reason mine was leaking …

[@heatnation3639]

thank you for your amazing explanation... !

[@ge0brick]

Thanks for the video. Cleaning it from the top is best however for anyone who doesn't want to remove that back panel, you can also clear the clog from below the refrigerator by pulling the condensation drain pan out and clearing the drain hose from the bottom. Here's how: After pulling the drain pan out, a rubber hose can be found at the back right corner where the drain pan was while it was in place. Just reach your hand back there to find the rubber hose sticking out about an inch from above. With a pipe cleaner or a piece of insulated wire (flexible stranded wire), maneuver it up the drain hose. You'll start to feel the water draining out as you wiggle the pipe cleaner around and up the drain hose. It's not as thorough as cleaning it from above and blowing it out as described in the video but it works and saves you from having to remove the back panel behind the drawers. You won't even need to remove the drawers with this method but you may want to just in case you can also access the drain hole without removing the back panel (which is possible of some models).

[@cmnguyen7]

Thanks for the detailed video. Solved my interior leak and not having to muscle with my fridge door! Thank you!

[@AshleeDelaney-ep8mn]

My drain doesn’t seem to be plugged, but I have some condensation droplets. Is that normal?

[@mohnewyork1082]

There is another way to do very easy you don't need to take off all this screw

[@MikeeRogers]

2.5 years of owning a new 13k Sub Zero and this seems to be happening now.

[@gangyu2179]

How to take out the glass ?also do I need to unplug the power?

[@sammyg1631]

Thank you. I tried to remove the back panel, but got stuck. Was almost going to call a repairman, but after your video, I removed the glass shelf bracket and was able to gain access to the tray and its drain hole. All fixed! Saved a lot of money. Thanks again! Good video.

[@jimdeasy]

The nitro blowout! Ha! Got paid.

[@earlshepherd2463]

Love you bro

[@giulianoMX]

Thanks for the video. I was able to repair the clogged drainage. Fridge seems to be running fine now. Do I need to drain the pan or no need for it?

[@nhashim6877]

Thanks for the video, saved few hundreds

[@subzerorepair]

Glad it helped

[@RenzoMacaraeg]

How about inside theres a water leaking below the drawer inside

[@AzherAhmed]

Exactly what I needed. You’re a good man. ❤

[@penshurstkt2726]

Very helpful. Thanks so much. Two thoughts in doing this on my fridge
- the plastic fasteners at the top of the lower panel are two part expanding fasteners. Pull out the central stub a few millimeters and then the rest of the fastener will come easier. I pulled them out with a claw hammer as I had no idea how they cam out so easily in the video
- the drain on my unit was about 5 cm to the right of the left edge of the drain channel. Sub zero emailed us to say you could go in with a zip tie without opening anything but that is not true of our unit. I could however just lift the back panel a centimeter and clear the drain with a zip tie once I could see where the drain was

[@subzerorepair]

Great info! Some units you can even see the drain! If that’s the case don’t take anything apart! This one unfortunately was hidden.

[@zachnuggets]

Thanks!!