An extraneous hum, crackling or A high-pitched whistle coming from the freezer or refrigerator often indicates problems in the forced air circulation system. Owners of equipment LG with the system No Frost face this regularly, especially after several years of operation. The main cause of unpleasant sounds is drying out of the grease in the sliding bearings of the fan motor.
Timely maintenance allows you to extend the service life of the unit and avoid costly replacement of parts. If you ignore the first signs of wear, the motor may seize, which will lead to overheating of the windings and failure of the entire electrical circuit. In this article we will analyze in detail the process of diagnostics, selection of materials and direct lubrication of the mechanism.
The work requires a minimum set of tools and basic skills in handling household appliances. The main thing is to be careful when working with plastic elements of the housing and correctly identify the type of lubricant used to achieve long-term results.
Diagnostics of the malfunction and identification of the source of noise
Before starting to disassemble the unit, you need to make sure that the source of the sound is the fan. Compressor noise or pipe vibration is often mistaken for a faulty blower. Open the freezer door and listen carefully: if when you open the door the sound stops or changes tone, then the problem almost certainly lies in the evaporator blower motor.
Refrigerators LG use a system where the fan operates cyclically. The characteristic creaking or humming noise usually intensifies when the engine starts or stops. This is a classic sign that sliding bearing has lost its oil film, and the friction of metal parts has increased to critical values.
⚠️ Attention: If the fan makes a sound reminiscent of the blades beating on ice, lubrication will not help. In this case, it is necessary to completely defrost the refrigerator within 24 hours to remove the ice plug.
For precise localization, you can temporarily turn off the fan (if you have access to the contacts) or gently press the plastic motor housing with your hand while it is running. A change in the nature of the noise will confirm your guess. It is also worth checking whether the blades are touching frozen ice or foreign objects that have gotten inside the air duct.
Necessary tools and choice of lubricant
The quality and durability of repairs directly depend on correctly selected materials. Not all lubricants are suitable for use in food processing equipment and low-temperature chambers. The use of unsuitable compounds can lead to their freezing, ossification and complete blocking of the engine shaft in just a few weeks.
For servicing refrigerator fans LG it is strictly not recommended to use ordinary household oils like WD-40 (it is a solvent, not a lubricant) or thick lithium greases that thicken in the cold. The optimal choice is synthetic silicone-based oils or special frost-resistant lubricants for bearings.
- 🛠️ Silicone oil (liquid) - ideal for low temperatures, does not freeze down to -40°C and does not destroy plastic.
- 🛠️ Lubricant for coolers (synthetic) - specialized composition, often packaged in small syringes, resistant to drying out.
- 🛠️ Oil for sewing machines is an affordable analogue that works well in domestic conditions, but may require more frequent updating.
As for the tools you will need a cross a screwdriver for removing panels, a flat-head screwdriver for carefully prying up the latches, as well as a syringe with a thin needle or an oiler for precise application of the composition. Don't forget to prepare a clean rag to remove old dirt.
Preparing the refrigerator and accessing the fan
Safety is the number one priority in any repair of household appliances. Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Unplug the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock and accidental starting of the engine during manipulation.
Empty the freezer of food and remove all removable shelves, drawers and ice trays. You will need as much room to maneuver as possible. Depending on the model LG, access to the fan can be through the back wall of the chamber or through a panel at the top of the freezer.
⚠️ Attention: Plastic becomes brittle at low temperatures. Allow the refrigerator to warm to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before removing the panels to avoid breaking the fasteners.
Carefully remove the visible screws holding the protective panel in place. Often fasteners can be hidden under decorative plugs or labels. Use a flat head screwdriver or a plastic card to remove the panel without damaging the latches. After removing the panel, the evaporator and the fan attached to it will open in front of you.
☑️ Preparation for servicing
Removing and cleaning the fan
Fan in refrigerators LG usually attached to bracket using two or four screws, and also connected to the electrical board via a connector. Before completely removing the assembly, you must disconnect the power supply. Do this by holding the connector body, not the wires, so as not to break the contacts.
After unscrewing the mounting screws, remove the fan from the seat. Carefully inspect the blades: grease and dust often adhere to them, which disrupt the balance and create additional noise when rotating. Rinse the impeller thoroughly with warm water and a mild detergent and wipe dry.
Pay special attention to the motor axis. Black carbon deposits may form on it - a mixture of dried grease and metal shavings. This dirt must be completely removed as it acts as an abrasive, accelerating the wear of the bushings. Wipe the shaft with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or gasoline "Galosh".
| Type of contamination | Symptom | Removal method | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice on blades | Beating, crackling | Defrosting | Hair dryer (warm water) |
| Dust deposits | Imbalance | Washing | Water, brush |
| Dried grease | Creak, hum | Cleaning and lubrication | Solvent, oil |
| Garb in the channel | Knocking, jamming | Removal | Tweezers |
The process of bearing lubrication
The most critical stage is applying new lubricant. There is often a sticker on the back of the fan housing that hides access to the shaft. Carefully bend or remove it. Under the sticker you will see a rubber plug or a hole directly through which the rotor axis passes.
If the design allows, remove the rubber plug. Place 2-3 drops of oil directly onto the shaft, trying to get into the gap between the shaft and the bushing. Rotate the shaft with your fingers so that the oil is distributed over the entire surface of the plain bearing. Immediately remove excess oil that has leaked out with a rag.
What to do if there is no hole for lubrication?
In some fan models, the hole is sealed or closed with a permanent plug. In this case, you can carefully drill a hole in the end of the bushing from the impeller side with a thin drill (1-1.5 mm), or remove the impeller itself (if it is latched) and apply lubricant to the end of the shaft. However, this requires great care so as not to damage the winding.>
Do not overdo it with the amount of lubricant. Excess oil may drip onto food or cause contacts to stick. The mechanism should be well lubricated, but not “swimming” in oil. After applying the compound, reassemble the fan in the reverse order, making sure that the shaft rotates easily and silently by hand.
Assembly and performance check
Install the fan in its original place, tightly connect the electrical connector until a characteristic click is heard. Secure the housing with screws, being careful not to overtighten the threads, as the plastic may crack. Return the protective panel to its place and secure it with the latches.
Load the food back into the chamber and close the door. Now you can turn on the refrigerator. Pay attention to the first minutes of operation: the fan should start smoothly, without jerking or extraneous sounds. If the hum disappears, you have completed the task successfully.
During the first hours of operation, it is recommended to periodically listen to the operation of the unit. Sometimes it takes some time (from 30 minutes to an hour) for the lubricant to be completely distributed over the rubbing surfaces and the noise to completely disappear. If the sound returns, the bearing may have completely worn out its life and requires replacing the unit.
⚠️ Attention: The design and arrangement of elements in different models LG (for example, series
GA-BorGC-B) may differ. Always check the official device diagram for your specific modification before disassembling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can motor oil be used for lubrication?
Using regular motor oil is not recommended. It has too high a viscosity for such low speeds and may contain additives that are aggressive to plastic. In addition, at low temperatures it can thicken, which will lead to the re-appearance of noise.
How often should the fan be lubricated?
Preventive lubrication is recommended every 2-3 years, or when the first signs of noise appear. The frequency depends on the intensity of use of the refrigerator and the quality of the previous lubricant.
What to do if after lubrication the fan is still humming?
If the lubricant did not help, most likely, wear has formed in the bearing (shaft play). In this case, the lubricant will no longer be able to compensate for the gap, and the only solution will be to completely replace the fan with a new one.
Is it safe to leave the refrigerator turned on with the panel removed?
For a short time - yes, to check operation. However, you cannot leave the refrigerator open for a long time, as this violates the temperature regime, causes increased formation of frost on the evaporator and can lead to the compressor protection tripping.