The situation when the lower part of the refrigerator stops freezing or water accumulates in the drawers often confronts the owner with a difficult choice. You can call a specialist, but the cost of work, including travel and spare parts, sometimes approaches the price of a new budget unit. Replacing a freezer is a complex technical process that requires not only physical strength, but also an understanding of the structure of refrigeration equipment.
Before proceeding with dismantling, it is necessary to clearly determine the nature of the breakdown. If the problem lies in mechanical damage to the drawers or cracked plastic, replacing the inner liner will solve the problem quickly. However, if the evaporator does not freeze or the seal of the freon circuit is broken, we are talking about a full repair of the cooling system, requiring professional equipment.
In this guide we will analyze both scenarios: from a simple replacement of a plastic box to a complex procedure for installing a new evaporator. It is important to understand that working with refrigerants requires a license, so in the event of a circuit failure, we will consider the theoretical part and steps that can be performed independently before the arrival of a specialist.
Diagnostics of the fault: what exactly requires replacement
The first step is always a thorough diagnosis. The owner must determine what exactly has failed: itself camera body (plastic liner) or the cooling system (evaporator). If the boxes are intact, but the inside is warm and there is no frost on the walls, the problem is deeper than superficial damage.
Often users confuse the need to replace the chamber with a broken thermostat or a clogged capillary tube. Before ordering spare parts, check that the compressor is working. If the engine hums, but there is no cold, it may have occurred freon output through a microcrack. In this case, simply replacing the plastic will not help.
⚠️ Attention: If you find oily spots under the refrigerator or smell a specific smell, this is a sign of depressurization of the circuit. You cannot seal the tubes yourself without a vacuum sealer and pressure gauges - this will lead to damage to the compressor.
If the problem is solely in destroyed plastic, which crumbles from the cold, or in a deformed tray, then replacing the internal container is a completely solvable problem. The main thing here is to find a compatible model or adapt a universal option.
It is also worth paying attention to the condition of the seals. Sometimes the cold goes away not because of a hole in the chamber, but because the door does not fit tightly. Check the magnetic tape around the perimeter before starting work.
Preparation for work: tools and safety
Any procedure for disassembling household appliances begins with ensuring safety. A refrigerator is an electrical appliance that operates with high currents and potentially hazardous gases. Therefore, the first and most important step is to completely disconnect from the power supply.
To carry out the work, you will need a set of tools. You should not try to unscrew the fasteners with a knife or screwdriver of the wrong size, as this can damage the threads or chip the plastic.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for dismantling panels.
- 🔪 A construction knife or spatula for carefully removing decorative plugs.
- 🧤 Protective gloves to avoid cutting yourself on sharp edges of metal or plastic.
- 📏 Tape measure for accurately measuring the dimensions of the seat.
Pay special attention to preparing the workplace. Clear space around the refrigerator so you can access it from all sides. If you have to replace the evaporator, you will need to take the unit outside or into a well-ventilated area.
☑️ Check before starting work
Take care in advance about where you will put the fasteners. Small screws are easily lost in the carpet pile or rolled under the baseboard, which can stop the whole process halfway.
Removing the old freezer
The process of removing the freezer depends on the design of your refrigerator. In models with a bottom freezer (No Frost or drip system), access to the insides is often blocked by a back wall or decorative panel.
First, you need to empty the chamber of food and removable elements. Remove all drawers, shelves and trays. If the plastic is frozen, let it thaw naturally or use a hairdryer at a minimum temperature so as not to melt the material.
Next comes the step of removing the back panel. In modern models Indesit or Atlant it can be secured with latches and screws. Be careful: plastic becomes brittle after years of use and can burst if handled carelessly.
⚠️ Attention: Never use force to bend plastic latches. Heat them with a hair dryer or pry them with a thin plastic tool to avoid breaking the fasteners.
If your goal is to replace the evaporator, then after removing the panel you will have access to the aluminum radiator. It can be glued to the back wall or built into the case. In some models, for example LG or Samsung, the evaporator is hidden behind polyurethane foam, which makes replacing it at home almost impossible without compromising the integrity of the case.
When dismantling the old evaporator, you need to carefully disconnect the temperature sensors and the defrost heater. Remember or take a photo of the connection diagram so that you don’t mix up the contacts during assembly.
Selecting and installing a new chamber or evaporator
Finding original spare parts is the most difficult part of the process. Freezers are rarely sold separately; more often you have to look for a donor or a universal solution. For evaporators, the situation is simpler: there are universal aluminum or copper models that can be adapted.
When choosing a new evaporator, pay attention to the heat exchange area. It should match the compressor power of your refrigerator. A radiator that is too small will not provide the desired temperature, and one that is too large can cause water hammer in the compressor.
Installing a new element requires precision. If you are replacing a plastic box, simply insert it into the guides. If we are talking about an evaporator, it must be secured to the back wall. For this, special heat-resistant glue or aluminum tape is often used for better contact.
Where to find original spare parts?
Original cameras can often be found only in authorized service centers or at disassembly centers for household appliances. When searching on the secondary market, be sure to check the integrity of the plastic and the absence of cracks that can expand during cooling.
It is important to connect the sensors correctly. An error in connecting the thermostat will result in the refrigerator either not turning off or not starting. Use a soldering iron with a thin tip to restore contacts if the wires have been cut.
After installing the mechanical part, you need to check the tightness of the system. To do this, the system is filled with nitrogen under pressure and the drop in pressure gauge readings is checked. Only after making sure that there are no leaks can you proceed to evacuation.
Filling with refrigerant and evacuation of the system
This is the most critical stage, which strongly recommended entrust to professionals. However, to understand the process, we will describe its essence. After replacing the evaporator, air and moisture remain in the system, which must be removed.
Evacuation is carried out using a vacuum pump connected to the service connection. The process lasts from 30 minutes to several hours until the pressure drops to a deep vacuum. This is necessary to evaporate moisture, which, when frozen, will clog the capillary tube.
After evacuation, freon is charged. The type of refrigerant (R600a, R134a) is indicated on the compressor nameplate. The amount of gas must be strictly regulated by weight, so electronic scales are used.
| Refrigerant type | Features | Suction pressure | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
R134a |
Non-flammable, common | 0.05 - 0.08 MPa | High operating pressure |
R600a |
Explosive (isobutane) | 0.04 - 0.06 MPa | Risk of ignition due to a spark |
R12 |
Outdated, prohibited | 0.05 - 0.07 MPa | Harmful to the environment, difficult to find |
For safe operation c R600a requires special spark-proof equipment and good ventilation. One wrong step can lead to an explosion, so this gas is not to be trifled with.
⚠️ Attention: Refrigerator manufacturers and gas suppliers may change requirements for the safety and availability of refrigerants. Always check the current standards for working with freons in official sources before starting work.
After refueling, you need to solder the service fitting and check the operation of the refrigerator in test mode. The temperature should rise evenly, and the compressor operating cycle should correspond to the norm.
Assembly and initial startup
The final stage is the assembly of all removed panels and installation of boxes. Make sure that all sensor wires are securely fastened and not pinched by the housing. Any vibration of the compressor can wear out the insulation over time.
It is better to make the first start without load. Leave the refrigerator on for 2-3 hours without opening the door. This will allow the system to return to operating mode and stabilize the temperature.
Check the operation of the No Frost system (if there is one). The fan should operate silently, and there should be no ice on the walls. If all the parameters are normal, you can gradually load the products.
Listen carefully to the sounds of the operating unit during the first day. Extraneous knocking or whistling may indicate problems with the installation of the compressor or a gas leak.
Common mistakes when replacing them yourself
Beginners often make mistakes that nullify all efforts. One of the most common is insufficient vacuuming. The remaining moisture turns into an ice plug, and after a week the refrigerator stops freezing again.
Another mistake is using the wrong glue to fix the evaporator. Regular glue can break down in the cold or react with the aluminum, causing corrosion. Use only specialized compounds.
- ❌ Ignoring the replacement of the filter drier. When opening the circuit, it must be changed, otherwise it will quickly become saturated with moisture.
- ❌ Kink in the copper tubes during installation. This narrows the flow area and disrupts the circulation of freon.
- ❌ Poor contact of the sensors. If the sensor does not fit tightly to the evaporator, the temperature readings will be incorrect.
They also often forget to oil the compressor oil if it leaked out during soldering. Operating the compressor without lubrication will lead to its rapid failure.
Do not forget that each refrigerator model has its own design features. What is suitable for Boschmay not be suitable for Stinol. Always study the technical documentation.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to replace the evaporator without special equipment?
Theoretically, it is possible to dismantle the old one and glue a new one, but it is impossible to charge the system and create a vacuum without a pump and pressure gauges. An attempt to refill “by eye” will lead to compressor failure.
How long does it take to replace a freezer?
Replacing a plastic box takes 30-60 minutes. Complete replacement of the evaporator with evacuation and refilling requires 2-4 hours of work by an experienced technician.
Why does the refrigerator freeze poorly after replacing the evaporator?
The reasons may be insufficient freon, the presence of an air lock, incorrect installation of the capillary tube or a compressor malfunction that was not diagnosed in advance.
Is it necessary to change the compressor when replacing the evaporator?
No, if the compressor is working properly. However, if the system was open for a long time, moisture could get into the compressor, which requires its replacement or a complex restoration procedure.
Where can I find a diagram for connecting the sensors for my model?
The diagrams are often located on the inside of the back cover of the refrigerator, in the technical data sheet or on specialized forums for repairing household appliances by model code.