If you are reading this text, it means yours refrigerator has ceased to cope with its main function - cooling food. Often in such a situation, craftsmen or friends ask the question: “Where is the compressor located?” For most users, household appliances remain a mystery until the first serious breakdown, and the location of key components inside the housing may not be obvious. In brand models Indesit, as in many others, the main engine is hidden from view so as not to disturb the aesthetics of the kitchen interior.
Finding this unit is the first step to self-diagnosis or preparing to call a specialist. Understanding how the “filling” of your unit works will help you more accurately describe the problem in a service center or even fix a minor malfunction on your own. In this article we will look in detail at which part of the housing motor-compressoris located, how to get to it and what to look for during a visual inspection.
Don’t be afraid to look “under the hood” of your refrigerator. The design of most models Indesit is quite standard and logical. However, before starting any work, it is necessary to clearly understand the safety measures and the design of the unit so as not to damage fragile tubes or electrical components. Let's figure out exactly where to look for the heart of your cooling system.
The location of the compressor compartment in different models
The answer to the question of where it is located compressordepends on the type of design of your refrigerator. In the vast majority of modern and classic models Indesit with a bottom freezer or single-chamber versions, the main unit is located in the lower part of the rear wall. This location was not chosen by chance: it provides the necessary ventilation, as well as the possibility of installing a condensation grille, which often surrounds the housing.
However, there are exceptions. In some built-in models or non-standard configuration units, access may be limited by the design of the kitchen unit. It is also worth considering that in two-compressor systems (where separate motors for the freezer and refrigerator compartment) they can be located next to each other or have separate casings, although in household ones Indesit this is rare.
- 🔍 Classic diagram: The compressor is located at the bottom, at the back, covered with a metal casing.
- ❄️ Two-motor systems: Two units are located in one niche, one is responsible for the top, the other for the bottom.
- 🏠 Built-in appliances: Access may require moving the entire headset or removing the base.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to find the compressor inside the refrigerator compartment or behind the decorative panels on the door. This is high-voltage and heating equipment, which is always placed in a technical compartment with good air circulation.
It is important to understand that even if the model looks the same externally, the internal layout may differ depending on the year of manufacture. Therefore, when searching, always focus on the presence of a characteristic black “barrel” in the lower third of the case at the back. This is where the main refrigeration mechanics are concentrated..
How to access the back panel of the refrigerator
To see the compressor, it is not enough just to approach the refrigerator from the back. You will need to remove the protective cover that covers the technical compartment. In refrigerators Indesit this is usually a sheet of thin metal or fiberboard fixed around the perimeter. Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the appliance from the power supply - unplug the plug from the socket.
The panel can be secured using self-tapping screws or special latches. In most cases you will need a Phillips screwdriver. Be careful: the metal may have sharp edges, and the paint may have become stuck over years of use, so do not make sudden jerks. If the panel is held on by latches, they need to be carefully pressed out.
☑️ Preparing to remove the panel
After removing the panel, you will have a view of the compressor, capacitor (black grille) and start relay. Sometimes access may be obstructed by wires or tubes that should not be bent or pulled. If you see that the panel is screwed on but cannot be removed, check whether you forgot to unscrew the hidden screws in the corners.
- 🔧 Tool: Use a screwdriver with a magnetic tip to avoid dropping the screws inside the case.
- 🧤 Protection: Wear gloves, as the inside may be dust and technical grease.
- 💡 Lighting: Prepare a flashlight in advance, since the compressor niche is often dark.
⚠️ Attention: If the back panel is made of fragile material (for example, hardboard) and has cracks, When removing, proceed with extreme caution. Damage to the panel will disrupt air circulation, which will lead to overheating of the motor.
Visual identification of the Indesit compressor
So, the panel is removed. What do we see? The center of attention should be a black, round or oval metal tank - this is hermetic compressor. Models Indesit most often use units from manufacturers Aspera, Embraco or Secop, which have a characteristic “pot” or “barrel” shape.
On the motor housing there is usually an information sticker plate with technical characteristics: power, type of refrigerant (often R600a or R134a) and model. It is this unit that creates the pressure necessary to circulate freon throughout the system. It is attached to a metal base (frame) through four rubber shock absorbers that dampen vibration.
How to distinguish a compressor from other parts?
A compressor is always a massive black metal cylinder or barrel. Relays and starters are small plastic boxes attached to the side. The condenser is a long, curved tube with fins (grid) at the back of the refrigerator. Don't get confused!
Next to the “barrel” you will see copper tubes going to the condenser and evaporator, as well as an electrical cable going to the start relay. It is important not to confuse the motor itself with the start-up relay - a small plastic block that is placed on the contacts on the side of the compressor. It is the relay that often fails, creating the illusion of a breakdown of the engine itself.
- 🌡️ Temperature: During operation, the compressor heats up to 70-90 degrees Celsius.
- 🔊 Sound: A working motor hums evenly, without knocking or metallic clanging.
- 🔌 Electrics: Wires in a corrugated tube are connected to the upper part.
Table: Characteristics of compressors in Indesit
For more accurate diagnostics, it is useful to know what type of engine installed in your model. Manufacturers Indesit equip their equipment with proven units. Below is a table with the main parameters that may be encountered.
| Manufacturer | Refrigerant type | Power (approximately) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspera (Embraco) | R134a / R600a | 1/5 - 1/4 hp | Most often found in old and medium-sized models |
| Secop (Danfoss) | R134a | 1/4 hp | Known for high reliability and low noise level |
| Indesit (OEM) | R600a | 1/5 hp | Modern energy-efficient models with isobutane |
| GMCC | R600a | 1/5 hp | Often installed in new lines of refrigerators |
Knowledge of the type of refrigerant is critical. If you are planning a DIY repair, remember: R600a (isobutane) is an explosive gas. Leakage of such refrigerant in a confined space in the presence of a spark may result in fire. Therefore, if you see the mark R600a, any work related to depressurization of the system should only be carried out by a certified technician.
Diagnostics: how to understand that the problem is in the compressor
Finding the compressor is half the battle. It is much more important to understand whether it is working properly. Often users are looking for a motor because the refrigerator has stopped freezing. There are several obvious signs of malfunction motor compressorthat can be identified without sophisticated equipment.
First of all, listen. If, when plugged in, you hear a quiet click, the hum lasts 5-10 seconds, followed by another click and silence - this is a sign that the motor is trying to start, but cannot. This could be a breakdown of the start relay, jamming of the piston group or inter-turn short circuit of the winding.
Also pay attention to the temperature of the case. If the compressor is absolutely cold after an hour of operation (and there is light in the chamber), then it does not start. If it is hot to the point that it is impossible to touch it, and there is no cold, it may be running “idle” due to a freon leak or a clogged capillary tube.
- 🔇 Silence: The complete absence of sound when turned on may indicate an open circuit or a burnt-out thermostat.
- ⚡ Knocking out the plugs: If, when starting the compressor, the machine in the panel knocks out, there is a short circuit in the windings.
- 🌪️ Constant work: The motor hums without interruption, but the temperature in the chamber does not drop below +10°C.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to “reanimate” the compressor by hitting it with a hammer or heating it with a hairdryer. This can lead to depressurization of the housing and final failure of the unit. If the motor hums and turns off, the problem requires professional diagnostics with a multimeter.
Replacement and maintenance: is it worth doing it yourself?
The issue of replacing the compressor in the refrigerator Indesit stands apart. Unlike replacing a light bulb or door seal, this process requires special equipment: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station, a burner and a supply of refrigerant. Simply “unscrewing the old one and screwing in the new one” will not work.
The replacement process includes: removing the old refrigerant (which is environmentally unsafe to do simply into the atmosphere), cutting off the copper tubes, soldering the old motor, soldering in the new one, vacuuming the system to remove moisture and filling with a strictly defined amount of freon. An error in the amount of gas or the presence of moisture in the system will lead to rapid breakdown of the new compressor.
However, you can do the preparatory work yourself, which will save the technician’s time. This includes dismantling the old panel, turning off the refrigerator, freeing access to the back wall, and even carefully disconnecting the wires (after photographing their location). You can also replace the start relay yourself if it is the problem - it is inexpensive and does not require evacuation of the system.
If you decide to call a specialist, having free access to the rear wall and removing the protective panel can speed up the repair process. However, remember that the warranty for a new compressor is only valid if it is professionally installed with a certificate of work performed.
Is it possible to repair the compressor, or just replace it?
Hermetic compressors in domestic refrigerators Indesit cannot be repaired at home. They are brewed at the factory. An attempt to open them and replace the internals (valves, pistons) is economically impractical and technically difficult. If the mechanisms break down, the unit must only be completely replaced.
Why does the compressor get very hot?
Heating up to 70-90 degrees is normal for a running motor. However, if it heats up to temperatures at which the plastic of the relay melts, or works without stopping, this may indicate a blockage in the system, a freon leak, or a malfunction of the thermostat that does not give the command to turn off.
How long does the compressor last in Indesit?
The average service life of a high-quality compressor is 10-15 years. However, with constant overload, power surges or poor ventilation (if the refrigerator is close to the wall), this period can be reduced to 5-7 years.
What to do if the compressor hums but does not start?
Most often (in 80% of cases), the starting relay or capacitor is to blame. Replacing them is inexpensive. If after replacing the relay the situation does not change and the motor continues to hum and click, most likely the piston group is jammed or the winding is burned out - then the entire unit needs to be replaced.
Is it dangerous to touch the compressor?
When the refrigerator is unplugged, no, it is not dangerous. When turned on, it is dangerous due to the high voltage at the relay contacts and the high temperature of the case (you can get burned). Always unplug the appliance before touching any internal components.