The question of what exactly the refrigerator is refilled Indesitoften arises among equipment owners who are faced with a loss of cold or the need for replacement compressor. Understanding the type of refrigerant used is critical not only to the correct operation of the cooling system, but also to the safety of all equipment. Modern models of the Italian brand, assembled at factories in Russia and Europe, use different substances depending on the year of manufacture and energy efficiency class.
Incorrect selection of the working fluid can lead to failure of an expensive compressor or even an explosion when mixing incompatible gases. In this article we will analyze in detail which brands of freon and lubricants are used in various lines Indesit, and also consider the nuances of their replacement and refueling.
It is worth noting that the information on the unit nameplate is the only reliable source of data for a specific piece of equipment. However, there are general standards used by the manufacturer for most household models at different periods of time.
Main types of refrigerants in Indesit refrigerators
Historically, refrigeration technology has gone through several stages in the evolution of the gases used. The brand's early models, produced before the mid-2000s, were often equipped with systems running on R134a freon. This Indesit, produced before the mid-2000s, were often equipped with systems running on R134a freon. This tetrafluoroethane replaced the ozone-depleting R12 and became the standard for household refrigerators for many years.
In more modern models, especially those that correspond to high energy consumption classes A+ and higher, the manufacturer has switched to the use of hydrocarbon compounds. The most common gas in this category is R600a (isobutane). This substance has excellent refrigeration properties, but is flammable, which imposes special requirements on the tightness of the circuit and the quality of soldering.
Sometimes in the specifications you can find mention of mixtures, but for mass production Indesit the use of mono-components is typical. The choice between R134a and R600a depends on the volume of the chamber and the design of the capacitor. Switching to isobutane made it possible to reduce the diameter of the tubes and reduce the noise level, since this gas circulates under lower pressure.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to determine the type of gas only by smell or color. R600a is odorless, but if leaked into a confined space it creates an explosive concentration. Always check the technical label.
To accurately determine the required substance, it is not enough to know only the brand. It is necessary to take into account the modification of the compressor and the year of assembly of the unit. Incorrectly filling with the wrong freon will lead to incorrect pressure in the system and overheating of the motor.
How to determine the type of freon by marking
The most reliable way to find out what your refrigerator is filled with Indesit is to find the factory information sticker. It is usually located inside the refrigerator compartment: on the left or right wall, on the inside of the door or on the ceiling of the compartment. In rare cases, if the sticker has been erased, the information is duplicated on the back wall of the case, next to the compressor.
On the label you are interested in the column marked as “Refrigerant”, “Refrigerant” or simply the letter “R” with a digital code. Models R134a are characterized by operating pressure in the system, which is significantly higher than that of isobutane. If you see the inscription R600a, this means that the system uses isobutane, and the amount of this gas is measured in grams with an accuracy of one.
It is also important to pay attention to the color of the compressor outlet tube. Although this is not an absolute standard, often the tubing for R134a is black (steel), while R600a may use smaller diameter copper tubing throughout. However, you cannot rely only on the color of the metal, since manufacturers can change component suppliers.
If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can try to determine the type of gas by the compressor model. For example, brand compressors Aspera (often installed on Indesit) have an encoding in their name indicating compatibility. But this method requires deep technical knowledge and access to motor manufacturer catalogs.
Lubricating oils for Indesit compressors
In addition to the refrigerant, a special oil circulates in the system, which lubricates the rubbing parts of the compressor. Different types of freons require fundamentally different oils that cannot be mixed. For freon R134a synthetic polyester oil (POE - Polyolester) is used. It is highly hygroscopic, that is, it actively absorbs moisture from the air.
In systems with isobutane R600a mineral oil or alkylbenzene (AB) is most often used. These oils are less sensitive to moisture, but their chemical composition is incompatible with polyesters. If polyester oil gets into a system designed for mineral oil, an acidic environment can form, which will destroy the motor windings and clog the capillary tube.
When replacing a compressor in a refrigerator Indesit the question often arises: is it necessary to flush the system? If the type of oil has been changed or the compressor has burned out with the release of combustion products, flushing with nitrogen and a special solvent is required. Remains of old oil may react with the new refrigerant.
Is it possible to mix different types of oils?
Mixing POE and mineral oils leads to separation of the mixture and loss of lubricating properties. As a result, the compressor will seize after a short operating time. If there was mineral oil in the system, and you install a compressor with POE (or vice versa), the system must be thoroughly flushed.
The volume of oil in the system is also strictly regulated. Its excess will cause the oil to take up the volume of the heat exchanger, and the refrigerator will stop freezing. A lack of oil is guaranteed to damage the compressor due to dry friction.
Model and refrigerant correspondence table
To simplify the identification task, below is a table covering popular series of refrigerators Indesit. Please note that within the same series there may be different modifications, so checking the sticker remains a priority.
| Series / Model | Refrigerant type | Oil type | Years of manufacture (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indesit C 138, BIA 16 | R134a | Polyester (POE) | 2000 – 2010 |
| Indesit DS 316, DS 318 | R600a | Mineral / AB | 2012 – 2018 |
| Indesit EF 18, IB 15 | R600a | Mineral / AB | 2015 – 2022 |
| Indesit Smart (series) | R600a | Mineral / AB | 2018 – present day |
The table shows that the modern standard for a brand is R600a. The transition to this gas is due to environmental standards and energy efficiency requirements. However, there is still a lot of R134a equipment on the secondary market, which has been serving well for decades.
When ordering spare parts for repairs, always indicate the full model index (for example, Indesit BIA 16 NF). This will allow the spare parts seller to select a compressor already filled with the correct amount of oil if you plan to replace it.
Refilling technology and necessary tools
The process of refilling a refrigerator Indesit requires professional equipment and skills. An independent attempt without a pressure gauge station, scales and a vacuum pump is doomed to failure. First, the system must be sealed, which is checked by nitrogen pressure.
If the leak is eliminated, the next step is evacuation. This is a critical step, especially for systems with polyester oil, which voraciously absorbs moisture. The vacuum pump must run for at least 15-20 minutes to remove air and water vapor from the circuit.
☑️ Checklist before refueling
Refueling is done strictly by weight. The compressor or sticker indicates the amount of gas in grams (for example, 58 g). The use of measuring rulers (for pressure) is permissible only as an auxiliary method and requires a lot of experience, since the pressure depends on the ambient temperature.
For R134a, blue hoses and threaded connections are used; for R600a, punctures or special clamps are often used, since the gas is heavier than air and tends to accumulate at low points. After refueling, it is necessary to solder the filling tube and check the operation of the unit in different modes.
⚠️ Attention: The filter drier is a disposable element. Whenever the circuit is opened (replacing a compressor, eliminating a leak), it must be replaced with a new one. The old filter has lost its properties and will clog the capillary.
Frequent errors during maintenance
One of the most common mistakes when repairing refrigerators Indesit is ignoring the purging of the circuit. When replacing the compressor, old oil and decomposition products remain in the tubes. If they are not washed with a solvent and purged with nitrogen, the new compressor will quickly become dirty.
Another mistake is the use of universal oils “for all freons”. Such mixtures exist, but their use in household appliances Indesit is not regulated by the manufacturer and can reduce the service life of the unit. It is better to use original oils or their proven analogs (for example, Emkarate or Bitzer).
Also, technicians often forget about warming up the compressor before evacuation. Turning on the motor for a few minutes helps evaporate the moisture dissolved in the oil and remove it during evacuation. This is especially true for systems using R134a.
Poor soldering of connections is the cause of repeated leaks When working with copper tubes (R600a), it is important not to overheat the metal. and when working with steel (R134a), use the correct solder and flux to avoid oxidation inside the seam.
Safety and environmental standards
Working with refrigerants requires compliance with safety measures. When heated above 250°C, R134a freon decomposes to form toxic compounds R600a. in turn, is explosive. When filling with isobutane, there should be no open sources of fire, sparking contacts or operating equipment that creates sparks.
The release of freon into the atmosphere is prohibited by environmental legislation in many countries. Although R600a quickly decomposes, R134a is a greenhouse gas. Professional craftsmen use refrigerated scales and gas (collection) stations. so as not to release it into the room.
When working with refrigerators Indesit always ventilate the room. If you feel a burning smell or a sweetish taste in your mouth (a sign of freon decomposition), immediately stop work and leave the room.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to fill an Indesit refrigerator with a different type of freon if the required one has run out?
Absolutely not. have different operating pressure and chemical properties. Replacement will require a complete re-soldering of the system, replacement of the compressor and evaporator, which is not economically feasible.
How many grams of freon is needed for an Indesit refrigerator?
The quantity varies from 30 to 140 grams depending on the model. (for example, 52±2 g). Refilling by eye will lead to incorrect operation.
Why did the refrigerator stop freezing after refilling?
Possible reasons: moisture getting into the system (capillary clogged), excess oil, poor-quality filter drier or presence of air in the circuit. The system needs to be rebuilt.
Where to buy original freon for Indesit?
Freons are sold in specialized refrigeration equipment stores. Brands of freons (Freon, Arkema, Dongyue) are universal, the main thing is that the chemical composition (R600a or R134a) met the requirements of your unit.