Whirlpool WPW10276792 Refrigerator Water Reservoir Tank Assembly OEM Part

Replaced water reservoir that had become contaminated with ??? Also had to replace the water filter, because the water contaminated it also. Cost was about $150, for two filters and the reservoir. The first filter was replaced because I did not know the reservoir was contaminated, and no water was coming out of the dispenser. Since the water in the ice maker did not come through the reservoir, there was no smell or contamination there. The new filter enabled water to come through the dispenser, but did not solve the odor problem. After replacing the reservoir, there was still the odor problem, as the filter had become contaminated, and water was not dispensing properly. The filter had been in less than a month, and had not been used much, as the water was not usable. The design of the original water reservoir allowed contaminates in the water to settle, and after a few years they just accumulated. I changed from a water softener system to a whole house water filter a couple of months ago. When I did this I changed the water going to the refrigerator from direct city water, with chlorine added, to the filtered water. I think that it was the stopping of the chlorine that caused the organisms in the reservoir to grow thus causing the odor. I don't want to have to change the water going to the refrigerator back to city water, but I may do so, if the stink returns again. The new filter system removes so many contaminates from the city water, and you do not have to keep adding salt to the softener. It was difficult to get the supply lines from the new reservoir through the bottom of the refrigerator where they could hook up to the dispenser valve and the water filter.

The hose from the valve to the reservoir had a crack in it, luckily it would only leak when dispensing water. The bad news is the hose itself isn't replaceable, the in/out hoses and reservoir are one unit. The good news is the price isn't that bad for the reservoir unit. I pulled the refrigerator forward, unplugged the power then removed the cardboard panel. You need room in the front of the refrigerator to open the door so that you can remove the bottom two shelves that block the reservoir and for the reservoir itself. Unplugging the water lines are very easy, pushing down on the tab then pull the line. The only hard part was getting your hands in the small space underneath the unit, keep rags and a small container around to catch the water that wants to come out. When pulling out the old reservoir just do the exact opposite when installing the new one. The new hoses will go through the rubber plug and end up underneath the refrigerator. Just remember the shorter hose goes to the valve and the longer one goes to the bottom corner of the freezer door and up to the dispenser. There is a line on the hoses, this is where it should match up to the rubber plug in the refrigerator. Not knowing exactly what was leaking, I ordered most of the water lines, valve and water filter housing to be safe. I noticed only the reservoir hose was brittle but replacing everything else was just extra insurance.

Replaced the water reservoir tube.

Replaced reservoir tubing.

Replaced water reservoir assembly (long coil plastic tube).