Comments on: How do I Remove the Bypass from a new GE Refrigerator ?? It's super tight.

Question: How do I Remove the Bypass from a new GE Refrigerator ?? It's super tight.

seinfeld — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 19:45:07 -0800

Bought a brand new condo that came with a GE Refrigerator with built-in filtered water dispenser. The new fridge came with a bypass in place of a filter -- How in the world do I get it out so I can replace it with a real filter?? It is SUPER tight.

The bypass is screwed in so tightly I cannot, for the life of me, get it out so I can install a filter. Any suggestions for getting it out? I called the GE Help Line and they told me to dispense some water to relieve some pressure before turning. I tried that -- I tried pliers -- I tried everything.. Any suggestions?

The dispenser is exactly like the one in this fridge:
http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SPECPAGE&SKU=PTS22LHSWW&SITEID=GEA

I've read the manual.. It says to turn it counter-clockwise.. I just want it out!!

(And bonus points if you can help me get a mark off the wall of non-washable paint. We got a scratch on the wall, and accidentally tried washing it off with a RED bath towel. Now the wall has a reddish tint. Any way to fix it without repainting the area??)

Thank you!!

By: MsMolly

MsMolly — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:05:25 -0800

For the mark on the wall, go get one of those Mr. Clean magic eraser things. I'll bet that will do the trick.

By: MeetMegan

MeetMegan — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:08:26 -0800

Be careful with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It can take the finish off the paint. I have some low-gloss eggshell paint in my apartment and I used a Magic Eraser and it made the area I used it on dull. Completely removed the stain, though. Luckily, it's in an innocuous place, so the dullness isn't noticeable to anyone but me.

By: lannanh

lannanh — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:21:12 -0800

We bought a frigidaire fridge and the filter in it came w/ this plastic unscrewer thing, kinda the opposite of an alan wrench. Is it possible yours came with one? I'm guessing if it'd be w/ the manual or worst case, you could go to a parts supply place/website and order a new one.

By: seinfeld

seinfeld — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:23:52 -0800

We too have eggshell paint so I'll abide by your advice MeetMegan and not use Mr. Clean.. Our spot is dead center on a wall near the stairs, so I do not want to risk it.

There is no such wrench, lannanh, as far as I can tell. GE confirms the fridge does not come with one. Thanks anyway.

By: plumberonkarst

plumberonkarst — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:35:33 -0800

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Strap-Wrench/index.htm

Is the bypass just a spool of plastic? or a bypass lever on the head where the filter threads in and a red pressure release button?

It's rather hard to give good advice without a photo.

If you can't get a strap wrench (if indeed it will work with this bypass) you can always use rosin spray to increase grip.

If the strap wrech works and it is a charcoal filter make sure you flush it for quite a bit before putting it to use.

By: hortense

hortense — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:37:18 -0800

It may be easier to install a new filter on the line supplying the fridge, let the bypass be bypass.

By: seinfeld

seinfeld — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:32:28 -0800

plumberonkarst: It's a spool of plastic, I assume. It's not a lever of any sort.