BlueStars Upgraded WR51X10055 Refrigerator Defrost Heater Replacement - with METAL SHIELD - Compatible with G.E & Kenmore Refrigerators - Replaces AP3183311 914088 AH303781 EA303781

I purchased this to have on hand as a spare from when I had to replace the defrost heater in our 24-year old GE side-by-side refrigerator a couple of years ago. It looks identical to the one I purchased a couple of years ago and I expect it will work just as well. A defrost heater is a critical part of the defrost function of a frost-free refrigerator. If this part fails, frost will begin to accumulate on the evaporator coil and begin to act as an insulator, preventing the freezer from getting much below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (if at all). If your refrigerator is running longer, and not cooling the way it used to, it's possible the defrost heater has failed. If this is the case, this defrost heater will do the job, and just as well as an OEM unit.

Perfect fit, installation and operation. Purchased as a replacement for my refrigerator. I got to fix the refrigerator by myself and got to extend the longevity of my refrigerator. Easy installation. Works like a champ.

Worked well.This is what In have to tell purchasers .If the temp in the fridge heats up it is probably because the heater /defroster went bad . I removed all the food from the freezer , took out the shelves and removed the back panel. The coil evaporator was encased in an inch of ice. I used two hair dryers to thaw it. I then removed the heater/ defroster . Two screws and two clips . The clips have probably rusted on so needle nose plyers come into play .You will noticed that the old heater/ defroster is black which indicates a short . Just replace it with the new one . Two clips, two screws. That's it. replace the back panel , put back the shelves and frozen food . I watched the repair man do this 6 years ago. Labor was $100 and he charged me $75 for the heather defroster. I paid $13.50 for it in amazon.

UPDAYTE!: To return under lifetime warranty simply buy a replacement and return the defective one. I advise having a replacement on hand so you can get your fridge up and running right away, then order another to have on hand and return the defective one you just removed. Reasonable price and easy to install. Let's about a year. Install is straight forward. Remove food and shelves fIrom freezer. You don't to even open door on refrigerator side if you work fast. Remove the screws that hold the back panel into freezer. Remove ground wire clipped to top of panel. Panel is flexible enough to maneuver it out. You should unplug the wall plug for safety. I don't because access is limited. I just turn both fridge and freezer off. If your heater is bad the coils will be covered with a thick layer of frost. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to melt ice from coils. If using a heat gun be careful around plastic parts to avoid melting plastic. Remove the screws that hold the heat shield in and remove heat shield and heater. Remove any retainers or zip ties on wires and unplug wires. Plug in the new heater and install new zip ties if needed. Reassemble everything plug wall plug in and turn tperature settings to normal. Reload and you are done. Next year when the heater burns out you can quickly install the spare that you ordered once you saw how easy the repair is. Or you csn get a genuine GE part that may last 5-7 years. Or may not. .

If I've learned anything from the experience of fixing my own appliances, it's to only use genuine OEM parts. Thanks, Bluestars for teaching me this valuable lesson. This device, which apparently is on it's second revision (god, help the owners of the 1st version), is a fire-hazard waiting to happen. As some others have experienced, this heater overheats severely, causing the following issues: * the plastic ends will melt, which aside from being a safety hazard, cause the freezer to thaw during the defrost cycle. My freezer would yo-yo from 0F all the way to 12F by the thermometer at the top. However, there was visible pooling of water every after a defrost cycle which would then ice up during the next freeze cycle * this excess heat will also melt any rubber or plastic seals in the area. I had 2" long scorch marks on the side seals of my freezers back panel. * THE SMELL!!! DEAR GOD, THE SMELL!!! Remember those plastic ends that melt? Yeah, well apparently they are made with the funkiest of resins, as that smell permeated the whole house. I expected the smell to happen during the first defrost cycle and go away, but 5 days later the smell was just as strong and kept coming back. These things should be banned from sale. Someone is going to get killed or at the very least lose an appliance to this.

Perfect fit

Just a few days installed but seems to be working just fine. Good fit, but you might need to do some minor bends. Something to note is that you always should replace this along the bimetal, which is the safety device that prevents the resistance from failing too soon.

Finally purchased a new refrigerator after five years of replacing the defrost heater every six to nine months. The GE was a pain to work on as the freezer was narrow and the heater is at the rear bottom of the freezer. The original heater worked great for eight or more years, the new replacements not so. Melting ice water drips down on the heater and cracks the glass or corrodes the terminals. In two instances the heating element opened.

Excellent working well received on time recommended

Remplace pièce d'origine valeur 161.00 Cad + 35.00 Cad expédition + Tax. Amazon total pour le tout 32.94 Cad

The part works well however, its the second one I replace in about 2 years. Hoping this one will last longer although the fridge is on its last legs.

I installed this part but it only lasted a few hours. Plug ends started melting.

Need to be 9 1/2 inch wide