Any refrigerator engineers here?

[Old Expat Beast]

My fridge is playing up. It's only three years old, but the main section won't go below 9 degrees celsius, and the freezer section (about 1/3 of the whole unit) goes to zero, but won't keep things like chicken fillets solid. I've got the setting on max.

Thanks for any advice.

[Tools]

Check to see if the cooling coils are dirty and vacuum them clean...

Make sure the condenser fan is pulling air across the system...

As a last resort, have the freon charge checked..

[RW16610]

Sorry to hear that, Adam. Hopefully you'll get this issue resolved quickly.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Tools

Check to see if the cooling coils are dirty and vacuum them clean...

Make sure the condenser fan is pulling air across the system...

As a last resort, have the freon charge checked..

Thanks Larry. I couldn't see anything obviously wrong or dirty when I looked at the back. Couldn't see a fan at all. Not sure if these pics say anything...

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by RW16610

Sorry to hear that, Adam. Hopefully you'll get this issue resolved quickly.

Thanks

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

My fridge is playing up. It's only three years old, but the main section won't go below 9 degrees celsius, and the freezer section (about 1/3 of the whole unit) goes to zero, but won't keep things like chicken fillets solid. I've got the setting on max.

Thanks for any advice.

Originally Posted by Tools

Check to see if the cooling coils are dirty and vacuum them clean...

Make sure the condenser fan is pulling air across the system...

As a last resort, have the freon charge checked..

Three years without a vacuuming?!
Are YOUR coils accessible from the front to vacuum the collected dust from?
They DO collect dust, like a magnet collects iron!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by theloxmyth

Three years without a vacuuming?!
Are YOUR coils accessible from the front to vacuum the collected dust from?
They DO collect dust, like a magnet collects iron!

No, the photos above are the back of the fridge and it's a major hassle to pull out, so hasn't been vacuumed before.

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

No, the photos above are the back of the fridge and it's a major hassle to pull out, so hasn't been vacuumed before.

Coils behind the front bottom panel, then, just like my old one.
(Don't know about the new one with the freezer on the bottom, yet.)

[Old Expat Beast]

Yep, the freezer is the lower third of the unit. No access panels or visible works on the front anywhere. I'm probably just get a guy in to look at it. Thanks.

[MonBK]

Are you sure there's no access on the front?

There's usually a tiny opening on the bottom front where dust collects.

Is the collecting pan full of water?

[Old Expat Beast]

Yeah, no front access at all, its all round the back.

[Relyt]

I don't think it has to do with being dirty.... I have 2 German Shepherds and 2 cats and let's say I clean.... But not the fridge.

I'm betting the:

Compressor or evaporator fan motor.

Isn't it funny how they really don't make things like they used to. I've already had to have a fridge repaired (ice maker), yet I refurbished a 1950s fridge to make a beer fridge; it chills the beer way better than my modern fridge ever will.





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[Andad]

My project manager/electrician suggests that most fridge/freezer temperature issues are caused by a faulty temperature sensor.
Sounds about right to me but as both areas are running high it could be the compressor.
These are sealed units and when they fail or leak they will not cool at all.

They should run at around 2C and -20C

Looks like the unit is cooling both areas but not accurately.

[Old Expat Beast]

Thanks Eddie. It died altogether for a couple of hours then just started again, kind of. I 'm just on my way to buy a new one.

[swatty]

It's a pity it only lasted 3 years, you are probably better off buying a new one than trying to repair, things aren't made to last these days.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Thanks Eddie. It died altogether for a couple of hours then just started again, kind of. I 'm just on my way to buy a new one.

Ring me when the beer is cold.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Ring me when the beer is cold.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Ring me when the beer is cold.

Will do mate

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by swatty

It's a pity it only lasted 3 years, you are probably better off buying a new one than trying to repair, things aren't made to last these days.

Sadly true.

[68camaro]

Originally Posted by Relyt

Isn't it funny how they really don't make things like they used to. I've already had to have a fridge repaired (ice maker), yet I refurbished a 1950s fridge to make a beer fridge; it chills the beer way better than my modern fridge ever will.

My wife and I recently talked about this, when we grew up it seemed our parents appliances lasted almost forever, whether toaster or refig. It was rare to see one of them replaced.

Now appliances don't last anywhere as long as they used to, and repairs are more common. Plus parts are only stocked for a short time then you cannot get parts to repair anymore.

We have high end range and motherboard went after 7 years, manu. said sorry no more parts so we could not fix. Replacement range had cheaper aluminum, no cast iron and generally not made as well, so we found company in Texas that fixes motherboards, I took it out, sent to them and its been great last 5 years

I see now they are selling refir's with wifi and camera technology.....good grief

[Sublover2166]

Nothing lasts like it used to. My Samsung smart LED 46 inch TV died just short of 3 years old. I ordered all 3 major pc boards and tried fixing myself to no avail. The actual LCD panel itself went bad. Sent the pc boards back and recouped 80% of what I paid, TV went in the trash and went out and bought a Vizio 48 inch 4K LED TV. We will see how this one pans out. That Samsung was my first and maybe my last, highly disappointing. Years ago, TVs didn't die, you just gave them away when you upgraded to a bigger one. Now, everything is disposable junk.

[Etschell]

ive found when things like a/c units and fridges break there is no quick fix. they just kick the bucket.

when we had our first daughter i came home from the hospital to a pool of water and a broken fridge with smelly food. it was a huge PITA. had to clean it up and then go back to the hospital for a few days. i got lucky that i can home when i did because if not the floor would have been ruined.

gl in your search for a new unit.

[bayerische]

Does the compressor start?

[RW16610]

Hopefully the new one you purchase serves you for more than 3 years, Adam. Totally agree with the others who say things aren't made the way they used to. Companies focused on profit motive / staying alive and doing things this way. Maybe one of those silly extended warranties might be worth consideration this time around depending on the terms?

[TripleB Boston]

Fridge incoming? Need some pics Adam!