OT: Do fridges get tired when they get old?

[T i m]

Hi All,

We have a fairly old (~19 years?) but very reliable under counter
Zanussi fridge. She has complained that there is often water laying in
the crisper draw(s) or on the lower glass shelf [1].

I have checked that there is nothing touching the heat exchanger plate
inside or that the door is being left open any longer than necessary.
I've also checked round the back and it's all pretty clean and clear,
as is the draining hole at the inside back.

So, she's after a new fridge "because this one hasn't always done
this" (no problem with that) but I am concerned that a new one might
still do the same (if this fridge isn't 'faulty' as such?

Also we like the fact that there are 4 shelves in the door, two
crisper bins and it has a real handle (and currently matches the
freezer but that's no big issue) but we can't seem to find a new one
that matches this spec (we may have got close with a Whirlpool but
it's a bit wider at 600mm).

http://tinyurl.com/5j2jgh

Any thoughts please folks?

All the best ..

T i m

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

 

[Slider]

Hi All,

We have a fairly old (~19 years?) but very reliable under counter
Zanussi fridge. She has complained that there is often water laying in
the crisper draw(s) or on the lower glass shelf [1].

I have checked that there is nothing touching the heat exchanger plate
inside or that the door is being left open any longer than necessary.
I've also checked round the back and it's all pretty clean and clear,
as is the draining hole at the inside back.

So, she's after a new fridge "because this one hasn't always done
this" (no problem with that) but I am concerned that a new one might
still do the same (if this fridge isn't 'faulty' as such?

Also we like the fact that there are 4 shelves in the door, two
crisper bins and it has a real handle (and currently matches the
freezer but that's no big issue) but we can't seem to find a new one
that matches this spec (we may have got close with a Whirlpool but
it's a bit wider at 600mm).

http://tinyurl.com/5j2jgh

Any thoughts please folks?

All the best ..

T i m

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

double check the inside drain hole is clear. Poke a straw or something
similar in it.

 

[Rod]

Hi All,

We have a fairly old (~19 years?) but very reliable under counter
Zanussi fridge. She has complained that there is often water laying in
the crisper draw(s) or on the lower glass shelf [1].

I have checked that there is nothing touching the heat exchanger plate
inside or that the door is being left open any longer than necessary.
I've also checked round the back and it's all pretty clean and clear,
as is the draining hole at the inside back.

So, she's after a new fridge "because this one hasn't always done
this" (no problem with that) but I am concerned that a new one might
still do the same (if this fridge isn't 'faulty' as such?

Also we like the fact that there are 4 shelves in the door, two
crisper bins and it has a real handle (and currently matches the
freezer but that's no big issue) but we can't seem to find a new one
that matches this spec (we may have got close with a Whirlpool but
it's a bit wider at 600mm).

http://tinyurl.com/5j2jgh

Any thoughts please folks?

All the best ..

T i m

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

Last year (or was it the one before?, hmmm), we got a basic Bosch from
John Lewis. Put it in. It works.

I would say I am delighted, but that is a bit of an exaggeration to
describe my reaction to a box that gets cold. Albeit efficiently,
reliably and quietly.

(I don't think I could buy *anything* from a company [Currys - as per
your link] that dreams up a "product support brand" called
"whateverhappens". Especially when it only promises to fix within 21
days. Can't help thinking it might describe their response to a call
"Whatever, [shit] happens".)

My experience goes very much along the usual uk.d-i-y line of
Liebherr/Miele or Bosch for such things.

Just remembered, the precise model we got had to be ordered from Bosch
because it was the slightly non-standard size - details lost to passing
time - worth checking the real product catalogue if size is critical.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
<www.thyromind.info> <www.thyroiduk.org> <www.altsupportthyroid.org>

 

[Derek]

Hi All,

We have a fairly old (~19 years?) but very reliable under counter
Zanussi fridge. She has complained that there is often water laying in
the crisper draw(s) or on the lower glass shelf [1].

Any thoughts please folks?

If there's water inside it must be getting in somewhere, a damaged or
hardened door seal has to be a prime suspect. Try running a business
card around the gap between the door and the body of the fridge to
identify any gaps evidenced by the door rubber not gripping the card.

This summer temperatures have been quite high even though it has been
wet and humid therefore fridges have still had to work hard.

Derek

 

[meow2222]

Hi All,

We have a fairly old (~19 years?)  but very reliable under counter
Zanussi fridge. She has complained that there is often water laying in
the crisper draw(s) or on the lower glass shelf [1].

I have checked that there is nothing touching the heat exchanger plate
inside or that the door is being left open any longer than necessary.
I've also checked round the back and it's all pretty clean and clear,
as is the draining hole at the inside back.

So, she's after a new fridge "because this one hasn't always done
this" (no problem with that) but I am concerned that a new one might
still do the same (if this fridge isn't 'faulty' as such?

Also we like the fact that there are 4 shelves in the door, two
crisper bins and it has a real handle (and currently matches the
freezer but that's no big issue) but we  can't seem to find a new one
that matches this spec (we may have got close with a Whirlpool but
it's a bit wider at 600mm).

http://tinyurl.com/5j2jgh

Any thoughts please folks?

All the best ..

T i m

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

The place condensation forms is on the evaporator (chiling plate).
That much is normal, and its collected and drained to outside. For
whatever reason its running down to the interior instead. I'd be
looking at the drain hole & hose for a blockage, maybe further down
than you can see. I'd also look for any items touching the chiling
plate, as this would reroute condensation to the interior. Quite
likely there's nothing wrong with it at all.


NT

 

[T i m]

double check the inside drain hole is clear. Poke a straw or something
similar in it.

Yup, we have a cable tie for the purpose and it has been know for
stuff to get in there and that usually does the trick (you can feel it
hitting the top of the compressor when it's right through).

One of my tests has been to pour water in the gully and make sure it
drains away.

General reply:

I don't think the seal is not 'sealing' (magnetic and seems to pull in
all round) but is definitely less pliable than it was.

I have been checking that nothing is touching the plate at the back
(the shelves have little up stands at the back to prevent this in most
places) and there is reasonable space for air circulation in general.

There is no freezer box etc so the only source of 'cold' is right at
the back.

We don't put hot things in there.

There doesn't seem to be any real pattern to when it does it most or
whereabouts in the fridge it does it (it appears to be random).

I'll check everything again though.

All the best ..

T i m

 

[Dave Liquorice]

I've also checked round the back and it's all pretty clean and clear,
as is the draining hole at the inside back.

And all the way down the pipe to the evaporator tray on top of the
compressor? Pipes are known to get blogged with mould or a stray pea...

Thread a bit of soft wire or even a pipe (as in smoking) cleaner through
it drawing it right through the tube.

 

[Dave Liquorice]

I don't think the seal is not 'sealing' (magnetic and seems to pull in
all round) but is definitely less pliable than it was.

Put a bit of thin paper in and see if it is gripped. Check all the way
round don't forget the hinge side and bottom...

There doesn't seem to be any real pattern to when it does it most or
whereabouts in the fridge it does it (it appears to be random).

Probably related to the humidty in the air.

 

[Guest]

And all the way down the pipe to the evaporator tray on top of the
compressor? Pipes are known to get blogged with mould or a stray pea...

Thread a bit of soft wire or even a pipe (as in smoking) cleaner through
it drawing it right through the tube.

That's what I do followed by boiling water

 

[T i m]

That's what I do followed by boiling water

Ok, well I've not done that. I've checked it's generally 'clear' , and
that it drains water, but not necessarily clean.

I'll get some pipe cleaners. ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

 

[Doki]

Hi All,

We have a fairly old (~19 years?) but very reliable under counter
Zanussi fridge. She has complained that there is often water laying in
the crisper draw(s) or on the lower glass shelf [1].

I have checked that there is nothing touching the heat exchanger plate
inside or that the door is being left open any longer than necessary.
I've also checked round the back and it's all pretty clean and clear,
as is the draining hole at the inside back.

So, she's after a new fridge "because this one hasn't always done
this" (no problem with that) but I am concerned that a new one might
still do the same (if this fridge isn't 'faulty' as such?

Also we like the fact that there are 4 shelves in the door, two
crisper bins and it has a real handle (and currently matches the
freezer but that's no big issue) but we can't seem to find a new one
that matches this spec (we may have got close with a Whirlpool but
it's a bit wider at 600mm).

http://tinyurl.com/5j2jgh

Any thoughts please folks?

All the best ..

T i m

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

Last year (or was it the one before?, hmmm), we got a basic Bosch from
John Lewis. Put it in. It works.

I would say I am delighted, but that is a bit of an exaggeration to
describe my reaction to a box that gets cold. Albeit efficiently, reliably
and quietly.

(I don't think I could buy *anything* from a company [Currys - as per your
link] that dreams up a "product support brand" called "whateverhappens".
Especially when it only promises to fix within 21 days. Can't help
thinking it might describe their response to a call "Whatever, [shit]
happens".)

My experience goes very much along the usual uk.d-i-y line of
Liebherr/Miele or Bosch for such things.

Just remembered, the precise model we got had to be ordered from Bosch
because it was the slightly non-standard size - details lost to passing
time - worth checking the real product catalogue if size is critical.

My experience of Bosch stuff lately is that it's not as good as I'd expect.

 

[Pete C ukdiy]

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

I take it this is a frost-free fridge.

Try putting the beer on a tray, as humidity from door opening may
condense on the cold beers and drip down.

A £5 water alarm from Maplins will tell when it's happening, better
than skipping a perfectly good fridge.

cheers,
Pete.

 

[T i m]

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

I take it this is a frost-free fridge.

Erm, no, I don't think so Pete?

Try putting the beer on a tray, as humidity from door opening may
condense on the cold beers and drip down.

Oh, ok. I was joking (a bit) about the beers but de do have a few
canned drinks in there at the moment.

A £5 water alarm from Maplins will tell when it's happening, better
than skipping a perfectly good fridge.

I think that it's happening is of more interest to the Missus than
when as such, as she's sure it didn't used to do it even (or if so,
not as regularly).

All the best ..

T i m

 

[T i m]

Ours is slowly
warming up at max cold and that has nothing to do with global warming

So, yours isn't able to attain so good a level as 'cold' as it once
did are you saying Dave?

All the best ..

T i m

 

[Pete C ukdiy]

Erm, no, I don't think so Pete?

Does it need to be defrosted?

I think that it's happening is of more interest to the Missus than
when as such, as she's sure it didn't used to do it even (or if so,
not as regularly).

Well, there may be a simple cause/solution, so first you need to find
out *why* it's happening.

The easiest way to find out why it's happening is to know *when* it
*starts* to happen then have a close look.

cheers,
Pete.

 

[Mary Fisher]

....

My experience of Bosch stuff lately is that it's not as good as I'd
expect.

Why would you expect it to be good?

Mary

 

[Rod]

Hi All,

We have a fairly old (~19 years?) but very reliable under counter
Zanussi fridge. She has complained that there is often water laying in
the crisper draw(s) or on the lower glass shelf [1].

I have checked that there is nothing touching the heat exchanger plate
inside or that the door is being left open any longer than necessary.
I've also checked round the back and it's all pretty clean and clear,
as is the draining hole at the inside back.

So, she's after a new fridge "because this one hasn't always done
this" (no problem with that) but I am concerned that a new one might
still do the same (if this fridge isn't 'faulty' as such?

Also we like the fact that there are 4 shelves in the door, two
crisper bins and it has a real handle (and currently matches the
freezer but that's no big issue) but we can't seem to find a new one
that matches this spec (we may have got close with a Whirlpool but
it's a bit wider at 600mm).

http://tinyurl.com/5j2jgh

Any thoughts please folks?

All the best ..

T i m

[1] My beer is on the top wire shelf and I never go near the salad
trays to notice the water. ;-)

Last year (or was it the one before?, hmmm), we got a basic Bosch from
John Lewis. Put it in. It works.

I would say I am delighted, but that is a bit of an exaggeration to
describe my reaction to a box that gets cold. Albeit efficiently,
reliably and quietly.

(I don't think I could buy *anything* from a company [Currys - as per
your link] that dreams up a "product support brand" called
"whateverhappens". Especially when it only promises to fix within 21
days. Can't help thinking it might describe their response to a call
"Whatever, [shit] happens".)

My experience goes very much along the usual uk.d-i-y line of
Liebherr/Miele or Bosch for such things.

Just remembered, the precise model we got had to be ordered from Bosch
because it was the slightly non-standard size - details lost to
passing time - worth checking the real product catalogue if size is
critical.

My experience of Bosch stuff lately is that it's not as good as I'd expect.

We had little choice - can't remember the exact size, but IIRC it is
something like 50mm off a standard size and this was not available in
many other makes. But although not special, it is fine.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
<www.thyromind.info> <www.thyroiduk.org> <www.altsupportthyroid.org>

 

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "Mary Fisher"

Why would you expect it to be good?

Oh... maybe it's because it didn't used to be crap. I don't know if it's
crap now, but it certainly wasn't about 5 years ago when I last bought a
Bosch washing machine.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

 

[T i m]

Yes. When I noticed that things were not as cold as I was used do, I
went out and bought a fridge thermometer. It currently reads 3 degrees
above the recommended max temp. This fridge could freeze the milk at
thermostat position four a few years ago.

Which leads us back to my first question and your reply may suggest
they do (get tired). ;-)

We have also turned ours up (as part of the experiment) and whilst the
stuff in there is very cold now you can hear the compressor running
most of the time.

Hmmm

All the best ..

T i m

 

[T i m]

Does it need to be defrosted?

Nope, the cooler panel at the back is completely free of any frost /
ice etc?

Well, there may be a simple cause/solution, so first you need to find
out *why* it's happening.

Well, whilst there may be I'm still thinking it could be running out
of puff and / or suffering an intermittent 'issue'.

The easiest way to find out why it's happening is to know *when* it
*starts* to happen then have a close look.

I'm not sure that's going to be that easy Pete, unless I put a webcam
in there or something?

Like I said at the beginning, it doesn't seem to be totally
predictable but the problem is happening often enough now for it to be
a pita. :-(

All the best ..

T i m


p.s. If we do decide enough is enough, could I use the old compressor
pump as a cycle tyre inflator or something?