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Hoshizaki Ice Machine Repair & Replacement Guides For Technicians

Hoshizaki makes a wide variety of ice machines found in restaurants, hotels, school and other commercial applications. Like any piece of equipment that runs 24/7 for 365 days a year, some issue can pop up that requires parts to be repaired and replaced by an authorized technician. In this guide, we help technicians conduct common Hoshizaki ice machine repair and replacement procedures on popular models.

Common Repair & Replacement Procedures

The following procedures are conducted on major components for popular Hoshizaki AM Contained and KM Crescent Cuber Ice Machines. For other repair and replacement instructions or info on additional models, please scroll or click to the section below.

Replacing the Compressor

  • Step 1. Disconnect the ice machine from its power source, and unplug the power cord.
  • Step 2. Take off both the rear mesh and front panel.
  • Step 3. Recover the refrigerant. Make sure to store it in an appropriate container (please refer to local laws for storage regulations).
  • Step 4. Remove the machine's terminal cover on the compressor. Then, disconnect the solderless terminals.
  • Step 5. Use brazing equipment to disconnect both the discharge and suction pipes.
  • Step 6. Remove the hold-down bolts, washers and rubber grommets.
  • Step 7. Remove the exisitng compressor on the machine.
  • Step 8. Attach the rubber grommets from the previous compressor to the new one.
  • Step 9. Clean out both the suction and discharge pipes, using an abrasive cloth or piece of paper.
  • Step 10. Place the new compressor in is proper position. Secure it with bolts and washers.
  • Step 11. Remove the plugs from the compressor suction and discharge pipes.
  • Step 12. Either braze or solder the access, suction and discharge lines. Use nitrogen gas flowing at a pressure of 3-4 PSIG. Make sure to braze or solder in that exact order.
  • Step 13. Install the new Drier (see instructions below).
  • Step 14. Check for any leaks using soap bubbles and nitrogen gas at 140 PSIG.
  • Step 15. Empty out the system, and charge it with refrigerant.
  • Step 16. Connect the solderless terminals. Put the terminal cover back in its proper position.
  • Step 17. Place both the rear mesh and front panels in their correct positions.
  • Step 18. Plug the power cord back in, and reconnect power to the machine.

Replacing the Drier

  • Step 1. Disconnect the ice machine from its power source, and unplug the power cord.
  • Step 2. Remove the panels. Recover the refrigerant and store it in an appropriate container (please refer to local laws for storage regulations).
  • Step 3. Remove the exising drier. Install the new drier with the on arrow on the part facing the direction of the refrigerant flow. When brazing the tubings, make sure nitrogen gas is at a pressure of 3-4 PSIG.
  • Step 4. Check for any leaks using soap bubbles and nitrogen gas at 140 PSIG.
  • Step 5. Evacuate the system, and charge it with refrigerant.
    • Air-cooled and water-cooled models – See the nameplate for the required refrigerant charge.
    • Remote air-cooled models – See the charge label in the machine compartment.
  • Step 6. Place the panels back into their correct positions.
  • Step 7. Plug the power cord back in, and reconnect power to the machine.

Replacing the Evaporator

  • Step 1. Disconnect the ice machine from its power source, and unplug the power cord.
  • Step 2. Remove the panels. Recover the refrigerant and store it in an appropriate container (please refer to local laws for storage regulations).
  • Step 3. Disconnect the spray tubes and the insulations. These are located at the U-shaped notch where the refrigeration tubings pass through the molded chassis.
  • Step 4. Remove the insulation tubing. Remove the evaporator inlet tubing at the tee, which is located by the expansion valve.
  • Step 5. Lift the existing evaporator, and disconnect the outlet tubing. This removes the part.
  • Step 6. Install the new evaporator. Then, install the new drier (see instructions above).
  • Step 7. Check for any leaks using soap bubbles and nitrogen gas at 140 PSIG.
  • Step 8. Evacuate the system, and charge it with refrigerant.
    • Air-cooled and water-cooled models – See the nameplate for the required refrigerant charge.
    • Remote air-cooled models – See the charge label in the machine compartment.
  • Step 9. Replace the removed parts in the beginning steps in the reverse order of when they were taken out.
  • Step 10. Place the top insulation and panels back into their correct positions.
  • Step 11. Plug the power cord back in, and reconnect power to the machine.

Replacing the Pump Motor

  • Step 1. Disconnect the ice machine from its power source, and unplug the power cord.
  • Step 2. Take off the front panel.
  • Step 3. Drain the unit's water tank by removing the insulation panel and the rubber cap on overflow pipe. Once the cap is off, remove the overflow pipe, turning it counterclockwise.
  • Step 4. Replace the removed parts above in their proper positions.
  • Step 5. Disconnect the both the pump suction and discharge hoses. Then, unfasten the screws and remove the pump motor bracket.
  • Step 6. Remove the closed-end connectors from the pump motor leads. Then, unfasten the screws and remove the pump motor bracket.
  • Step 7. Remove the pump housing. Check the impeller to see if it's defective. If so, install a new one.
  • Step 8. Install the new motor any other new parts. Then, replace the removed parts in the beginning steps in the reverse order of when they were taken out.
  • Step 9. Plug the power cord back in, and reconnect power to the machine. Then, check for leaks.
  • Step 10. Place the front panel back into its correct position.

Replacing the Expansion Valve

  • Step 1. Disconnect the ice machine from its power source, and unplug the power cord.
  • Step 2. Remove the panels. Recover the refrigerant and store it in an appropriate container (please refer to local laws for storage regulations).
  • Step 3. Remove the insulation and expansion valve bulb located on the suction line.
  • Step 4. Remove the cover on the expansion valve, and disconnect the expansion valve with your brazing equipment.
  • Step 5. Braze the new expansion valve with nitrogen gas is at a pressure of 3-4 PSIG. Do not braze if the valve body is more than 250°F. Make sure you protect the valve body with a damp cloth to prevent overheating.
  • Step 6. Install the new drier (see instructions above).
  • Step 7. Check for any leaks using soap bubbles and nitrogen gas at 140 PSIG.
  • Step 8. Evacuate the system, and charge it with refrigerant.
    • Air-cooled and water-cooled models – See the nameplate for the required refrigerant charge.
    • Remote air-cooled models – See the charge label in the machine compartment.
  • Step 9. Attach the bulb to the suction line back to its proper position. Secure it with clamps and insulate it.
  • Step 10. Place the new expansion valve covers into its proper position.
  • Step 11. Place the panels back into their correct positions.
  • Step 12. Plug the power cord back in, and reconnect power to the machine.

Finding Service & Technical Manuals on HoshizakiAmerica.com

Hoshizaki's website has a fantastic resource that provides a wide selection of resource content. A service technician can search by model or serial number and find multiple types of manuals. This includes service and technical manuals that provide helpful installation, repair, adjustment and replacement procedures that can technicians can refer to while at the jobsite. These documents also have operation sequences and wiring diagrams, which always come in handy.

To search for resources of the specific ice machine you're working on, visit www.hoshizakiamerica.com/manuals/.