Search evaporator in brand refrigeration equipment Ariston often becomes a necessary step when problems arise with cooling or ice appears. Unlike old models, where this element was immediately visible, modern units hide the heat exchanger behind decorative panels. Understanding where exactly this part is hidden will help you save time on diagnostics or carefully carry out defrosting.
The design of refrigerators Ariston can vary significantly depending on the type of cooling system. In some cases, access to the unit requires complete disassembly of the internal chamber, in others it is enough to remove the back panel. Exact location depends on the year of manufacture and the specific series of the device, so before starting work it is important to determine the type of your model.
In this article we will analyze the diagrams in detail arrangement of heat exchangers in various modifications. You will learn how to safely access hidden elements without damaging fragile plastic fasteners or freon pipes. Careful study Instructions will help you avoid costly mistakes when doing your own maintenance.
The principle of operation and the role of the evaporator in the system
Evaporator is a radiator through the tubes of which refrigerant circulates. It is in this unit that freon boils at low pressure, which is accompanied by active absorption of heat from the internal volume of the chamber. Without proper operation of this element, Ariston refrigerator turns into an ordinary cabinet, unable to keep food fresh.
Depending on the design, the heat exchanger can be open (in the form of a coil on the back wall) or hidden. The hidden option is most often found in systems No Frostwhere the radiator is hidden in the technical compartment. The air is driven through it by a fan and distributed among the chambers through special channels.
The main task of the unit is to ensure a stable temperature regime. If a layer of ice grows too thick on the surface of the evaporator, heat transfer is disrupted. The compressor begins to wear out, trying to compensate for the lack of cold, which ultimately leads to its breakdown. The critical point is the icing of the sensors, which stop reading the temperature correctly.
Location in models with a drip system (Static)
In classic models Ariston with a drip system (“crying wall”) the evaporator is easiest to find. In the refrigerator compartment it is often built directly into the back wall or located behind it. In the freezer compartment of such refrigerators, the heat exchanger is usually a visible coil.
If you open the freezer and see a lattice of tubes covered with frost on the back wall, then the evaporator is located there. In some modifications, it can be hidden behind a plastic panel, which can be easily removed by unscrewing a few screws or releasing latches. Access access to it in such models does not require deep disassembly of the case.
Often users confuse the main evaporator with additional antifreeze circuits running around the perimeter doors. It is important to understand that the main heat exchanger is always located in the zone of maximum cooling. In refrigerators with a single compressor, this is usually the top or bottom of the freezer compartment.
- 🧊 Visual inspection: look for a metal grill or plates on the back wall of the freezer.
- ❄️ Tactile inspection: when running, the tubes should be cold (be careful, you may freeze!).
- 🔧 Hidden installation: if the tubes are not visible, look for a hidden panel behind the plastic lining of the chamber.
It is worth noting that in models with a “crying” system in the refrigerator compartment, the evaporator is often immured in a polyurethane foam layer of the rear wall. It is impossible to get to it without compromising the integrity of the housing, so if there is a freon leak in this area, you usually need to call a technician to insert a new circuit.
Hidden evaporator in the No Frost system
In refrigerators Ariston No Frost the situation is radically different. Here evaporator always hidden from the user’s eyes and located in a separate technical block. Most often, this unit is located behind the rear panel of the freezer, but in some two-compressor models it can be placed in the lower part of the case (behind the base grille).
To access the unit in the freezer, you must remove all shelves, drawers and fasteners. The rear plastic panel is secured with screws and latches. After removing it, you will see the aluminum evaporator radiator, defrost heater and fan. This is where ice most often accumulates when the defrost system malfunctions.
It is important to distinguish the location depending on the number of compressors. If you have a model with one motor, there is most likely one evaporator located in the freezer, and the cold is supplied to the upper compartment through a duct. If there are two compressors, then there may be two evaporators: one in the freezer, the second in the refrigerator compartment (behind the back wall).
⚠️ Attention: Plastic panels in old refrigerators Ariston over time they become fragile. When unscrewing the screws, act carefully so as not to crack the plastic, otherwise the seal of the chamber will be broken.
Access through the lower compartment (compressor unit)
In a number of models Ariston, especially built-in or narrow series, the evaporator can be placed at the bottom of the unit, next to the compressor. This solution allows you to increase the useful volume of the chambers, but complicates maintenance. Access to this unit is through the bottom of the refrigerator.
To get to the heat exchanger in this case, you need to turn the refrigerator over or gain access from below (if the kitchen design allows). Remove the metal or plastic cover at the base of the housing. Inside, next to the motor-compressor, there is a condenser and, in some circuits, part of the evaporator circuit.
However, most often the condenser (black grille at the back) is located in the lower part, and not the evaporator. Don't confuse these elements. An evaporator in the lower zone is rare for household models, but is possible in industrial or specific series. At the bottom location, the main attention should be paid to the condition of the thermal insulation and the absence of oil stains indicating a leak.
| Type of location | Where to look | Difficulty of access | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open (Static) | Rear wall of the freezer | Low | Minimum |
| Hidden (No Frost) | Behind the panel in freezer | Medium | Medium (plastic) |
| Built into the wall | Inside polyurethane foam | Impossible | High (destruction) |
| Bottom block | In the base/base | High | High (electrics) |
Dismantling and maintenance heat exchanger
If you get to the evaporator and see that it is completely covered with a “coat” of ice, even despite the operation of the No Frost system, defrosting is required. Do not try to break the ice with a knife or screwdriver! Aluminum tubes evaporator in refrigerators Ariston are very thin and easily pierced.
For safe defrosting, use a hair dryer, directing warm air at the ice build-ups. The process may take from 20 to 40 minutes. After the ice has melted, check the integrity of the tubes and the condition of the defrost heater. Often it is the burnout of the heating element that leads to the fouling of the radiator with ice.
When assembling, make sure that all drainage holes are present. Water from melting ice should flow freely into the tray above the compressor. If the channel is clogged, water will freeze at the bottom of the chamber or leak onto the floor. You can clean it with a soft wire or a brush.
☑️ Check before assembly
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use sharp objects to remove ice from the evaporator. One awkward movement will lead to an instant release of freon and expensive repairs with replacement of the compressor.
What to do if the refrigerator does not freeze after disassembly?
If after assembly and switching on the temperature does not drop within 2-3 hours, the circuit may have been damaged during disassembly or the tightness of the connections is broken. The sensor you touched could also have failed. Check if the fan is working (in No Frost models) - if it is, the cold will not enter the chamber.
Typical faults and their symptoms
Understanding where it is evaporatorhelps to quickly diagnose a breakdown. If you hear a gurgling or hissing noise immediately after the compressor is turned off, this is normal, this is how freon behaves. But if the sounds are constant or accompanied by a lack of cold, the problem may be a leak through a microcrack in the radiator.
Another sign is swelling of the rear wall in the refrigerator compartment. This suggests that the evaporator hidden there has corroded and swelled the insulation. In models Ariston this is a common problem with age-related devices. Repair in this case is complex and often requires the installation of an external evaporator.
If the fan in the No Frost system hums or crackles, the blades may be touching ice frozen on the evaporator. This indicates a failure in the defrost cycle. In this case, the location of the unit (behind the rear wall) requires its complete cleaning and checking the heater circuit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can it be replaced evaporator in the Ariston refrigerator yourself?
Replacing the evaporator is a complex process that requires a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and a supply of freon. If you do not have the skills to work with refrigeration equipment, it is not recommended to change this unit yourself. You can only defrost it or clean it.
Why does the evaporator become covered with ice in the No Frost system?
This is due to a malfunction of the defrost system: the heating element is burned out, the defrost sensor or timer is stuck, or the drainage hole is clogged. As a result, the moisture does not have time to drain and freezes on the radiator, blocking the access of air.
How to understand that the evaporator is broken?
When the evaporator is broken, all the freon quickly comes out of the refrigerator. Signs: the compressor runs constantly, but there is no cold; there may be a black oil stain at the site of damage (if visible); when punctured, a characteristic swirl of escaping gas is heard.
Where is the evaporator located in a two-compressor refrigerator?
In two-compressor models Ariston usually there are two independent evaporators: one is located in the freezer compartment (behind the rear panel), the second is in the refrigerator compartment (also behind the rear wall or built into it). Each circuit is served by its own motor.