Moving is always stressful, especially when it comes to dimensional household appliances, such as Indesit refrigerator. Many owners mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply unplug the cord from the outlet, load the unit into a truck and safely drive to their new place of residence. However, such negligence often leads to failure compressor or damage to the thermal insulation circuit, which turns the move into an expensive repair.
The equipment of the Italian brand is famous for its reliability, but it requires compliance with strict logistics rules. Particular attention should be paid to the condition Before you start packaging, you need to clearly understand the risks. Ignoring the manufacturer's instructions may result in cancellation of the oils in the system, which, if improperly transported, can end up where they should not be. In this article, we will analyze in detail all stages of preparation and transportation so that your Indesit serves you for many years.
Before you start packing, you need to clearly understand the risks. Ignoring manufacturer's instructions may result in cancellation warranty obligations. Even if the refrigerator is old, its performance directly depends on how carefully you treat its internal mechanisms during the moving process.
⚠️ Attention: If you are transporting a refrigerator that is less than 2-3 years old, violation of transportation rules may become a legal basis for the service center to refuse free repairs. guarantees.
Preparation of the refrigerator for transportation
Preparation should begin long before the movers arrive. The first and most important step is a complete defrosting unit. Even if your Indesit equipped with a No Frost system, a minimal amount of ice may still be present on the evaporator. 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 chambers. The humid environment inside a closed space during long-term transportation contributes to the development of mold and the appearance of an unpleasant odor, which is then difficult to get rid of. You should also remove all shelves, drawers and trays.
It is better to pack removable elements separately, lined with paper or a soft rag. The glass of the shelves may break due to vibration if left inside. To fix the doors in the closed state, use scotch tape or special shipping tape, but in no case adhesive tape directly on the plastic of the case, so as not to damage the coating.
☑️ Preparation checklist
Models with a freshness zone or built-in filtration systems deserve special attention. If your Indesit has a water supply, be sure to turn off the tap and disconnect the hose, draining the remaining water. Vibration during transportation can lead to leakage and short circuit of electronics.
In what position should you transport: lying down or standing?
This is the most common question that concerns everyone who is planning a move. The ideal option for any refrigeration equipment, including Indesitis a vertical position. In this situation, the oil from the compressor remains in the crankcase, and the refrigerant circulates through the system according to the laws of physics, without creating traffic jams.
However, the realities of life often dictate their own conditions: the height of the truck ceiling or doorway may not allow the unit to be transported while standing. Manufacturers allow transportation in a horizontal position, but with critical restrictions. You can tilt the refrigerator no more than 40 degrees, and in a lying position - only on a certain side.
If you decide to drive Indesit lying down, remember the main rule: you can only lay the unit on its side, opposite the exit of the tubes from the compressor. Usually the tubes point up when the refrigerator is standing, but when tilted they may end up at the bottom. If you place the refrigerator on the “wrong” side, oil will instantly flow into the cooling circuit, creating an oil plug oil plug.
⚠️ Attention: The exact direction of the compressor tubes depends on the specific model. Before loading, be sure to look at the rear bottom of the chassis. The tubes coming from the motor should look up or to the side, but not down. Indesit. Before loading, be sure to look at the rear bottom of the chassis. The tubes coming from the motor should point up or to the side, but not down.
Transportation on the back (back wall down) or on the face (door down) is strictly prohibited. In the first case, you risk pushing through the thermal insulation and damaging the condenser, which is often attached to the rear wall. In the second case, under the weight of the unit, the plastic parts of the door may burst or be damaged sealing rubber.
Packaging and case protection
Factory packaging is the best protection option. If you saved the cardboard box, foam inserts and plastic bag, consider yourself very lucky. The box protects against scratches, and the foam dampens vibrations. However, in 90% of cases, the original packaging has already been thrown away by the time of moving.
For high-quality packaging you will need stretch film, bubble wrap and thick cardboard. Wrap the body bubble film in several layers, paying special attention to the corners and protruding handles. Then wrap the unit tightly with stretch film so that the packaging does not slip along the way.
If the original polystyrene foam is not available, you can use soft blankets or batting. They need to be placed around the refrigerator on all sides and secured with ropes or tape over the film. This will create a shock-absorbing layer that will save the enamel from chipping in case of accidental impacts on the sides of the car.
How to replace factory foam?
As an alternative, you can use sheets of expanded polystyrene (penoplex), cut to size. Old carpets or thick blankets are also suitable, but they need to be securely fixed so that they do not bunch up when shaking.
Don't forget about the doors. Even if they are sealed with tape, additional fixation with belts will not hurt. Make sure that the tape does not tighten the body, deforming it, but holds the doors tightly enough so that they do not swing open during sudden braking.
Fixation in the vehicle
Correct loading is half the success. The refrigerator Indesit must stand on a flat, solid base. The bottom of the cargo compartment should be covered with cardboard or thick fabric to prevent slipping. If the floor is metal, the risk of damage to the lower part of the case increases many times over.
For fastening, use belts with a ratcheting mechanism. They allow you to control the tension force. Ordinary ropes can stretch on the road, and the load will begin to “walk.” The straps should be attached to special transport protrusions or cover the body at the top and bottom without squeezing the plastic elements.
| Body type | Recommended position | Risks | Required materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gazelle (awning) | Vertical or at an angle | Tipping when turning | Belts, spacers, blankets |
| Passenger car (on the roof) | Horizontal only | High vibration, rain | Waterproof awning, soft backing |
| Cargo taxi | Vertical | Sharp braking | Standard body mounts |
| Personal van | Vertical sides | Load displacement | Tightening belts, bars |
If the refrigerator has to be carried in the back of an open car (for example, on the roof of a car), this is a last resort. In this case, the unit must not only be tied, but created around it shock-absorbing cocoon from mattresses or thick bales, and securely cover the top with a waterproof awning. Vibration on the roof of a car is much higher than in the body.
Nuances of transporting different Indesit models
The line of refrigerators Indesit is varied: from narrow models 40 cm wide to wide Side-by-Side. Oversized two-chamber models have a high center of gravity, which makes them more prone to tipping over. When transporting them in a vertical position, particularly careful fixation not only the case itself, but also the internal components are required.
Models with the system No Frost are more sensitive to impacts on the rear wall, where the evaporator and fan are located. Even a strong shock can unbalance the fan, resulting in noise after installation. Therefore, for such models, soft packaging of the rear part is critically important.
Built-in refrigerators require the dismantling of decorative facades. It is not possible to transport Indesit together with a furniture door - at the slightest distortion of the facade, the hinges may not withstand the weight or become deformed, and the facade itself will crack. Remove furniture panels before packing equipment.
⚠️ Attention: Built-in models often have a complex ventilation system from below. Make sure that when loading into the body, the ventilation holes of the base will not be blocked or damaged by the fastening elements of the car floor.
For older models with a heavy cast-iron compressor (found in older equipment), the “sludge” rule is relevant. New compressors Indesit are often equipped with a suspension that dampens vibrations, which makes them a little more resistant to transportation, but the risk of oil getting into the system remains relevant for all types of engines.
Switching on after moving: when is it possible?
The most common mistake is to turn on the refrigerator immediately after unpacking. If the unit was transported in a vertical position, it needs to stand 2-4 hours to stabilize the temperature and refrigerant. This time is needed so that the freon, which could accelerate through the system, returns to the condenser.
In the case of horizontal transportation, the waiting time increases to 8-12 hours, but it is better to wait a full day. This is necessary so that the compressor oil, which is guaranteed to enter the circuit when tilted, flows back into the engine crankcase. Starting a “dry” compressor will cause it to jam in a matter of minutes.
Before turning on, remove all packaging and put away tape from the doors and wipe the body with a damp cloth. Insert the plug into a grounded outlet. Do not load food immediately - let the empty refrigerator work for 1-2 hours so that it reaches the operating temperature temperature.
If, after turning on, you hear an unusual knock, hum or gurgle that does not stop after 15-20 minutes, immediately unplug the appliance. This may indicate that oil has nevertheless entered the system or a hydraulic shock has occurred. In this case, you will need the help of a specialist.
Common mistakes when transporting yourself
One of the main mistakes is saving on packaging. People often transport a refrigerator “as is”, expecting a neat ride. However, even on an ideal road, the truck gets into potholes, and unprotected metal easily gets dents, and plastic handles break.
Another mistake is using thin tape to secure the doors. Ordinary office tape does not withstand the load and bursts, or (what is worse) tightly sticks to the plastic, leaving traces of glue that cannot be removed without a solvent that destroys the plastic Indesit.
The condition of the floor in the truck is also often ignored. A dirty, wet or slippery floor can cause equipment to fall at the most inopportune moment. Always check the surface on which you will place the unit, and if necessary, use a backing made of cardboard or boards.
What to do if the refrigerator fell during transportation?
If the fall was strong (from a height of more than 20-30 cm onto an edge or corner), there is a high probability of damage to the compressor or tubes. In this case, you can turn on the device only after inspection by a technician, even after a long period of time.
Do not try to carry the refrigerator by dragging it. This results in the legs being torn off, the bottom decorative panel being damaged and the floor being scratched. To move, use a trolley or carry the unit in your hands, grasping the special recesses in the lower part of the case (if they are provided for by the design).
Is it possible to transport the Indesit refrigerator at temperatures below -5°C?
It is highly not recommended. Plastic becomes brittle in the cold and can crack at the slightest vibration. In addition, the condensation inside the equipment will freeze, which will complicate defrosting. If transportation cannot be avoided, pack the unit in a warm blanket and let it warm up indoors for at least 24 hours before turning it on.
What to do if the refrigerator does not freeze after transportation?
First, check whether the light inside is on and whether the fan is running (if you can hear it). If the engine hums, but there is no cold, there may be an oil leak. If the engine is silent, the starting relay or the compressor itself could have burned out. Diagnostics is required.
Do you need to remove the doors of the refrigerator for transportation?
Does need to be removed only if the refrigerator does not fit through the doorway. It is not necessary to remove the doors of a truck as long as they are securely secured with tape. Removing the doors requires adjusting the hinges after installation, which can be difficult without tools.
Is a short journey of 15 minutes dangerous for equipment?
Yes, it is dangerous. Travel time does not matter, the main thing is position and vibration. Even 15 minutes of intense shaking can cause oil to enter the circuit if the refrigerator is not positioned correctly. The rules for laying down after a trip apply regardless of the duration of the route.
Can I use ordinary tape for fixation?
You cannot use ordinary paper or stationery tape - it will tear. You need wide polypropylene-based packing tape. It is best to use masking tape in one layer on the body, and wrap a wide packing tape on top so that there are no sticky traces left.