At some point, I started wondering if my time (and sanity) was worth more than the cost of a new unit.
Honestly, that's the real question. Half the time those "universal" parts just don’t fit right, or you end up chasing leaks like you did. I’ve fixed a few, but unless you love troubleshooting tiny plastic bits and mystery drips, a new unit’s usually less hassle. Sometimes it’s just not worth wrestling with old valves and cracked trays.
I get where you’re coming from, but is tossing the whole unit really always the best move? I’ve had a couple ice makers go bad over the years, and yeah, sometimes the “universal” parts are a pain, but I’ve found that if you match the OEM part numbers and double-check the specs, it’s usually not as nightmarish as it seems. Plus, there’s the waste factor—old ice makers end up in landfills, and most of them aren’t recycled.
I know it can be frustrating chasing leaks or dealing with brittle plastic, but I’ve actually had more trouble with brand new units having issues out of the box than with repaired ones. Maybe I just have weird luck. Curious if anyone’s tried refurbishing or sourcing used parts? Sometimes a little patience (and YouTube) goes a long way, and it feels good not to add more junk to the pile. Just my two cents—maybe I’m stubborn, but I’d rather tinker than toss if there’s a reasonable shot at fixing it.
Totally get what you mean about the landfill guilt. I’m right there with you—every time I see another busted appliance on the curb, I wonder how much of it could’ve been saved with a little patience (and maybe a bandaid or two).
“Sometimes a little patience (and YouTube) goes a long way, and it feels good not to add more junk to the pile.”
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve had some real “Frankenstein” moments with old appliances—my last ice maker was basically held together by zip ties and hope for a year before it finally gave up. But hey, that’s one less hunk of plastic in the dump, right?
I do get why some folks just want to swap the whole thing out, though. Sometimes those “universal” parts are about as universal as a square peg in a round hole. Still, if you’re willing to hunt down the right part and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, fixing it can be weirdly satisfying. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to watch three hours of YouTube repair videos?
Anyway, stubborn or not, I say keep tinkering if you can. The planet (and your wallet) will thank you.
“Sometimes those ‘universal’ parts are about as universal as a square peg in a round hole.”
That’s the truth. I’ve lost count of how many “universal” kits I’ve seen that don’t actually fit anything without some kind of hack job. Ever notice how the replacement parts for ice makers seem to cost half as much as a new fridge? Makes you wonder if it’s really about the part or just the markup. And then there’s labor—most folks don’t realize how much time it takes to get into these things, especially when manufacturers hide screws or use weird fasteners. Is it just me, or does it feel like they design them to be replaced, not repaired?
You nailed it with the “universal” kits. I’ve had more than a few jobs where the so-called universal part needed a Dremel, a prayer, and three zip ties just to get it to sit right. And yeah, the price on those ice maker assemblies is wild—sometimes you’re paying for a plastic tray and a tiny motor, but the markup’s like you’re buying gold-plated parts.
As for labor, people are shocked when I tell them how long it can take just to get the old one out. Some of these fridges are built like puzzles, and you need to take half the freezer apart just to reach two screws. Ever try getting your hands behind one of those? It’s like playing Operation, but colder.
I don’t know if it’s a conspiracy or just bad design, but it sure feels like they want you to toss the whole thing instead of fixing it. Makes you wonder if they even test these “universal” kits on real appliances or just eyeball it and hope for the best...
