Moving or buying new household appliances often puts owners in a dilemma: how deliver a large unit to its destination? This issue is especially acute when you only have a passenger car at your disposal, and the dimensions of the cargo clearly exceed the dimensions of the passenger compartment. Owners of the popular Italian brand Indesit are no exception and often look for ways to safely transport their equipment in a horizontal position.
Many are afraid to place the refrigerator on its side due to the risk of damage to the compressor or oil leakage, and these fears are well founded. However, if you follow strict rules of preparation and subsequent operation, transportation lying down it becomes a completely acceptable option that will save your back and the body of the car. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the nuances of the process so that your Indesit arrives intact and in good working order.
Ignoring the manufacturer’s recommendations can lead to serious damage that will not be covered by the warranty. Therefore, before you begin loading, carefully study the instructions below for packaging, fixing and, what is critically important, the rules for initial start-up after delivery.
Is it possible to put the Indesit refrigerator on its side during transportation
The question of the admissibility of horizontal transportation worries many, and the answer to it is not clear without taking into account technical details. On the one hand, manufacturers recommend transportation in a strictly vertical position to prevent displacement of internal components and disruption of refrigerant circulation. On the other hand, practice shows that careful transportation on its side is often the only possible solution for owners of passenger cars.
The main risk when laying Indesit on its side is the condition of the compressor. There is oil inside the motor, which, if tilted or inverted, can leak into the refrigerant circuit. If you immediately turn on the device after such transportation, the compressor will try to compress the liquid, which will lead to water hammer and failure of the unit.
⚠️ Attention: Never plug in the refrigerator immediately after horizontal transportation! It takes time for the oil to flow back into the compressor crankcase. The minimum settling time is 4 hours, but it is better to wait a day.
It is also important to consider which side you place the equipment on. There are usually markings or instructions on the back panel of refrigerators indicating the acceptable side for installation. If there is no such information, you should place the unit on the side opposite the exit of the tubes from the compressor in order to minimize the pressure on them. Indesit there are markings or instructions indicating the acceptable side for installation. If such information is not available, the unit should be placed on its side opposite the tube exit from the compressor in order to minimize the pressure on them.
Why are manufacturers against transportation lying down?
Manufacturers indicate vertical transportation as the only correct one in order to relieve themselves of responsibility for any damage due to improper loading by users. Horizontal transportation always carries an increased risk of vibration and shock loads on the condenser and tubes.
Preparation of the refrigerator for transportation in a passenger car
The success of the operation depends 90% on the quality of the preliminary preparation. Simply unplugging the cord from the outlet and starting to dump the refrigerator on the floor of the car is a blunder that can cost you expensive repairs. The first step should be complete defrosting (defrosting) of the chamber.
Even if your Indesit equipped with a No Frost system, condensation or ice particles may remain inside the drainage channels. When tilted, this water will flow into the insulation or onto the electronic control boards, causing short circuits or corrosion. Therefore, leave the refrigerator turned off with the doors open for at least 24 hours.
After defrosting, you must thoroughly wash and, most importantly, dry the internal surfaces. A humid environment with the doors closed during a long journey is an ideal condition for the development of mold and the appearance of an unpleasant odor, which will then be difficult to get rid of. Wipe all shelves and drawers with a dry cloth.
☑️ Preparing Indesit for the road
Pay special attention to removable elements: glass shelves, plastic drawers, egg trays and grilles. They should not be left inside, even if they seem to fit tightly. If shaken or hit, the glass may break, and sharp fragments may damage the internal plastic or seals. Pack them separately in boxes with soft filling.
Proper packaging and protection of the body from damage
The car body is a high-risk area for the paintwork and plastic of the refrigerator. While driving, shifts, friction with seat belts and vibration are possible. To bring it Indesit in a salable form, it must be properly packaged, even if the original box has long been thrown away.
The ideal option is the factory packaging with foam pads on top and bottom. They take on the main shock loads and fix the unit. If you don't have a box, use heavy cardboard, bubble wrap, and old blankets. Wrap the body in at least two layers of film, paying attention to the corners and handles.
The refrigerator doors must be securely locked in the closed position. Use masking tape or special stretch film. It is better not to use ordinary office tape, as it can leave sticky marks or damage the coating when removed. Wrap the unit around the perimeter 2-3 times to prevent the door from opening at the most inopportune moment.
Don't forget to protect the rear wall where the radiator and compressor are located. If you place your refrigerator on its side, this side is often in contact with the floor or sides. Place thick cardboard or a sheet of plywood underneath to avoid mechanical damage to the tubes.
Laying diagram: which side is safer to transport on
The choice of the side on which the refrigerator will be placed Indesitis a critical point. An error here can lead to deformation of the tubes or damage to the compressor. There is a golden rule: you need to lay it on the side opposite the exit of the tubes from the compressor.
Look at the back wall of your unit. You will see the motor-compressor and the tubes coming from it. Usually they are directed in one direction. If you place the refrigerator on this side, the tubes may rest on the floor and burst under the weight of the refrigerator itself or due to vibration. Therefore, we place it on the opposite side.
In some models Indesit the design of the compressor allows installation on any side, but the presence of a protective plastic casing at the bottom often dictates its own conditions. If the casing protrudes, it is better to place the refrigerator on its side, where this casing will not take on the weight.
| Element | Risk due to improper installation | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor | Tearing suspension springs | Fix with bolts or carefully place on soft |
| Copper tubes | Deformation and rupture | Do not place on the exit side of the tubes |
| Door hinges | Sagging or breakage | Securely seal with tape in the closed position |
| Condenser (grid) | Dents, leakage | Protect with cardboard or polystyrene foam |
If you are not sure about the design of your model, look for technical documentation or a sticker on the case. Sometimes there are arrows indicating the acceptable position for transport. The absence of marking does not mean permissiveness - be guided by the logic of protecting the most fragile components.
Securing cargo in the passenger compartment and trunk of the car
Simply putting the packaged refrigerator in the car is not enough. While driving, the car experiences acceleration, braking and roll, which can move a multi-ton load. Reliable fixation is a matter of safety not only of equipment, but also of the driver.
Use the fastening elements available in the car: seat belts, hooks in the trunk, handles. If you are traveling in a cabin, thread the seat belts around the body of the refrigerator (after protecting the contact area with soft material) and fasten them. This will prevent the load from shifting forward during sudden braking.
Tying straps with a ratcheting mechanism are excellent for the trunk or car body. They allow you to create tension that will press the refrigerator to the sides. Place soft pads under the straps so as not to push through the metal of the case. The cargo should not be able to shift to either side.
Move smoothly. Avoid sudden starts, braking and speed bumps. Vibration is the main enemy of internal components. If the path lies on a bad road, reduce the speed to a minimum to reduce the amplitude of vibrations.
Installation after transportation: settling time and first start
And now, the refrigerator Indesit has been successfully delivered to its destination. The most common mistake at this stage is immediate connection to the network. As already mentioned, the oil from the compressor may have spread throughout the system, and it takes time for it to return to the crankcase under the influence of gravity.
The time required to settle depends on the season and duration of transportation. In summer, when the oil is thinner, 2-4 hours is enough. In winter, especially if the refrigerator is frozen, this period should be increased to 8-12 hours. If you were shaken very strongly on the road or were transported for a long time, it is better to wait a full day.
⚠️ Attention: If you transported the refrigerator at subzero temperatures, do not immediately bring it into a warm room. Let it warm up to room temperature while turned off for 3-4 hours to avoid condensation on the electrical contacts.
After the appliance has “rested,” remove the packaging, place the refrigerator on a flat surface and adjust the legs. The level is important for the proper operation of the door self-closing system and refrigerant circulation. Only after this can you plug in the device.
For the first couple of hours of operation, listen to the sounds of the motor. It should run smoothly, without gurgling or metallic knocks. If everything is quiet, and the cold begins to appear, congratulations, you have successfully completed the transportation!
What to do if after transportation the refrigerator does not freeze?
If after turning on and going through the full operating cycle, the cold does not appear, a critical violation may have occurred in the system. Check if the compressor is running (vibrating). If the engine hums, but does not start or clicks, a water hammer may have occurred. If the motor is silent, the starting relay or the compressor itself could have burned out. In such cases, you need to call a specialist.
Is it possible to transport an Indesit refrigerator in a roof rack?
Yes, you can, but only in the original packaging and if it is securely fastened. It is important to protect the case from moisture and dust. The principle of laying on its side remains the same: on the side opposite to the compressor tubes. The speed of movement should not exceed 60 km/h.
Do you need to remove the doors of the refrigerator for transportation?
It is not necessary to remove the doors entirely if you have securely fixed them with tape or film. However, if the car is very small, removing the doors can make the process easier. Remember that removing the doors may disrupt the adjustment of the hinges, so do this only if absolutely necessary.