How to Replace a Gasket on a Whirlpool ET18NK Refrigerator

Replacing your Whirlpool refrigerator's gasket requires partially dismantling the door.

Your Whirlpool refrigerator's door is built with a rubber gasket that lines the outside edge inside the door. This gasket prevents cool air from leaving the refrigerator while the door remains closed. A refrigerator's gasket often comes loose from constantly opening and closing the door. If the gasket starts to wear, your refrigerator may start lose cool air, which will cause your Whirlpool fridge to use more electricity. Fortunately, you can replace the gasket with very little disassembly.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement gasket
• Large container
• Socket wrench
• Utility knife

Instructions

1. Fill a large container with room temperature water. Place your replacement gasket into the container, and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes. This softens the gasket, which allows you to stretch the gasket when install it into the refrigerator door.

2. Open the fridge door, and remove all food and other contents from the shelves inside the door. Grasp the door's gasket from the top of the door with your fingers. Begin to peel the gasket from the edge of the door. You will start to see hex-head screws that secure a metal retainer inside the door. This retainer mounts gasket inside the door.

3. Loosen the hex screws from the metal retainer with a socket wrench (there are several), but do not completely remove them from their individual screw holes. Only loosen screws enough to remove the gasket. Completely removing the screws will separate the retainer from the door.

4. Peel away the entire gasket from the metal retainer. Cut away all torn pieces of gasket material inside the metal retainer with a utility knife.

5. Remove the replacement gasket from the water container and place it over the metal retainer inside the door. Place the upper left corner of the gasket between the metal retainer and door panel in the upper left corner of the door. Push the gasket behind the hinge assembly along the left edge of the door.

6. Push the gasket behind the metal door retainer along the outside edge of the door. Stretch the corners of the gasket around each corner of the door.

7. Fasten the metal retainer's hex-head retention screws until the gasket is tightly secured to the refrigerator door. Place all contents back inside the fridge door's shelving and close the door.

References

• Fix It Now: Zen and the Art of Refrigerator Door Gasket Replacement
• KitchenAid: Whirlpool ET18NK Refrigerator Manual
• KitchenAid: Whirlpool Refrigerator Warranty Guide