I have a newer model of the same fridge...mashblockMay 13 2014, 21:00:01 UTC
That's the evaporator that was iced up, not the condenser. The fins get bent by water re-freezing after a defrost cycle.
While you're messing with it(gotta pull it away from the wall to install that water filter anyway, right?) vacuum the dust and dog hair out of the condenser and its fan.
Re: I have a newer model of the same fridge...nimitzbroodMay 14 2014, 00:26:19 UTC
You are indeed correct - evaporator not condenser - I stand corrected.
As for the bent fins I've never seen that before but your explanation makes perfect sense.
And yes the fridge is in horrible need of a vacuuming.
As old as it is this experience has shown me how very simple ours is and how easily most of it I can repair myself if need be. About the only thing I don't know if I'm legally able to do is refill the refrigerant (if say replacing compressor or coils) even though it says R134 on the inside sticker which is CFC free.
Though it does occur to me that I could tell a repair person that the fridge is not getting cold and let him try and refill it. Not the most karmic of choices but it might work.
Re: I have a newer model of the same fridge...mashblockMay 14 2014, 21:55:39 UTC
The vacuuming can make a big difference in temp differential - do it, and keep doing it as regularly as you can manage. Good idea would be to vacuum the back and bottom(and scrub the floor it sits on!) every time you remember to change the water filter.
Yes, you can legally handle '134.
However, it may not be worthwhile to bother - small appliances such as this don't have access valves, and are almost always cheaper to replace than repair when something goes wrong in the refrigerant loop.
Any honest repair person will tell you the same...
Comments 3
While you're messing with it(gotta pull it away from the wall to install that water filter anyway, right?) vacuum the dust and dog hair out of the condenser and its fan.
Reply
As for the bent fins I've never seen that before but your explanation makes perfect sense.
And yes the fridge is in horrible need of a vacuuming.
As old as it is this experience has shown me how very simple ours is and how easily most of it I can repair myself if need be. About the only thing I don't know if I'm legally able to do is refill the refrigerant (if say replacing compressor or coils) even though it says R134 on the inside sticker which is CFC free.
Though it does occur to me that I could tell a repair person that the fridge is not getting cold and let him try and refill it. Not the most karmic of choices but it might work.
Reply
Yes, you can legally handle '134.
However, it may not be worthwhile to bother - small appliances such as this don't have access valves, and are almost always cheaper to replace than repair when something goes wrong in the refrigerant loop.
Any honest repair person will tell you the same...
Reply
Leave a comment