The situation when the upper freezer compartment in the refrigerator Biryusa stops working, but the lower refrigerator compartment continues to cool food, is a classic sign of serious technical malfunctions. Unlike No Frost systems, where air circulates throughout the entire volume, in dual-compressor or drip models of this brand, separation of circuits or disruption of refrigerant circulation is often observed. If you notice that the food in the freezer has begun to defrost, and frost has appeared on the walls only in the lower part, you cannot ignore this - the process of spoilage of supplies can happen very quickly.
Diagnostics of the problem requires an understanding of the operating principle of the unit. Most often, owners are faced with the fact that the compressor runs continuously, trying to gain temperature, but the upper chamber remains warm. This indicates that heat transfer it is broken, and the cold simply does not reach the upper evaporator. Self-repair is only possible in case of simple mechanical faults, however, in most cases, the intervention of a specialist with equipment for refilling freon will be required.
It is important to understand that modern models Biryusa are equipped with complex automation that can block the start of the compressor if anomalies are detected. Therefore, before disassembling the unit, it is necessary to carry out an initial visual inspection and check simple parameters such as the tightness of the door and the position of the temperature regulator. Often the reason lies not in the breakdown of the unit, but in a banal violation of operating rules.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear gurgling or hissing inside the housing after stopping the motor, this is a sure sign of a refrigerant leak. Operating the refrigerator in this mode is prohibited, as this can lead to complete failure of the compressor due to dry operation.
The main reasons for the lack of cold in the upper chamber
The most common reason that the upper part does not freeze is freon leakage. In dual-circuit systems, which are often found in models Biryusa, the gas first passes through the freezer and then through the refrigerator. If a microcrack has formed in the system, the pressure drops, and there is simply not enough refrigerant to cool the entire volume of the evaporator, starting from the upper compartment.
The second most common problem becomes clogging of the capillary tube. During operation, ice plugs may form in the system or oil and freon oxidation products may accumulate. This creates a mechanical obstacle to the movement of the refrigerant. As a result, the pressure at the inlet to the evaporator drops, and the upper chamber, which is located farthest from the freon boiling point, ceases to receive the necessary cold.
- 🧊 Thermostat malfunction: The sensor may “stick” in the position when it considers that the temperature in the lower chamber is not yet low enough, and does not give a command to cool the top (relevant for some control circuits).
- ❄️ Evaporator freezing: If the door seal is broken or the defrosting heating element is faulty (in models with partial automatic defrosting), ice blocks heat exchange.
- 🔧 Problems with the compressor: Wear of the piston group leads to a drop in compression, the motor hums, but does not create enough pressure to pump freon through the entire circuit.
It is worth noting that in some models Biryusa with one compressor and one circuit there may be a problem is associated with impaired air circulation when it comes to the system No Frost. In this case, cold air is simply not pumped by the fan into the upper compartment due to icing of the air ducts or failure of the fan itself.
Diagnostics of refrigerant leaks and blockages
Determine freon leaks at home without special equipment (leak detector) is extremely difficult, but there are indirect signs that make it possible to diagnose the problem with a high degree of probability. First of all, pay attention to condenser grill (radiator) on the back wall of the refrigerator. Normally, it should be warm or hot evenly over the entire area.
If you observe that the grill is only 30-40% hot or has cold areas, this is a direct indication that freon is not circulating throughout the entire circuit. Also a sign of a leak is the absence of the characteristic noise of liquid flowing in the tubes when the compressor is operating. If the unit is humming, but there is silence inside, most likely the system is empty.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Characteristic symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor runs constantly | Leakage freon | Warm condenser, no cold |
| Motor turns on and off | Clogged capillary | Thud when stopping, filter swelling |
| Audible hissing | Mechanical damage | Traces of oil on the tubes, smell |
| Frost only at the entrance of the tube | Lack of freon | The rest of the evaporator is warm |
To accurately determine the location of the leak, technicians use pressurized nitrogen and a soap solution or an electronic leak detector. Looking for a hole on your own with a needle or by eye is useless and dangerous. If you suspect a leak, you need to call a specialist for soldering and refueling.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and automation
The thermostat (thermostat) is a device that controls turning the compressor on and off based on the temperature in the chambers. If the upper part of your refrigerator does not freeze, but the lower part works properly, the problem may lie in incorrect readings of the sensor or its mechanical failure. In models with mechanical control, the thermostat is often located inside the refrigeration chamber. Biryusa The upper part does not freeze, but the lower part works properly, the problem may lie in incorrect readings of the sensor or its mechanical failure. In mechanically controlled models, the thermostat is often located inside the refrigerator compartment.
If it fails, the thermostat contacts may not open, forcing the compressor to work without stopping, or, conversely, may not close, leaving the refrigerator turned off. However, in the context of our problem (heat from above, cold from below), a more common situation is when the thermostat “does not feel” an increase in temperature in the freezer due to displacement of the capillary tube of the sensor or loss of sensitivity.
Checking the thermostat is possible with a multimeter in dial mode. To do this, you need to remove the regulator, immerse its sensitive part in ice water and check whether the contacts close. If there is no bell when cooling, the part requires replacement. In electronic models Biryusa this is the responsibility of the control module, which reads data from air sensors.
- 🔌 Wiring: Check the integrity of the wires going to the sensors. Rodents or vibration often damage the insulation.
- 🌡️ Calibration: Sometimes it is enough to simply turn the control knob to the “Maximum” position to start forced freezing and check the operation of the system.
- 🧊 Icing of the sensor: If the temperature sensor is frozen into an ice crust, it may transmit incorrect data to the control board.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing a thermostat, it is important to install a model with similar parameters. Installing an unsuitable analogue can lead to an incorrect compressor operating cycle and rapid spoilage of food.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The compressor is the heart of the refrigerator, and if it does not cope with its task, the entire unit suffers. Refrigerators Biryusa often have reliable compressors installed, but over time their service life is exhausted. The main symptom is that the motor hums, vibrates, but does not start or runs very quietly, without the characteristic vibration of the housing.
Often the culprit for the “silence” of the compressor is start relay. This is a small part that provides the impulse to start the engine. If the relay is burned out, the compressor will try to start, clicking, but after a few seconds the protective thermal relay will cut off the power. In this case, the upper chamber does not have time to freeze.
Reduced compressor performance (drop in compression) is a more complex diagnosis. The motor is running, the tubes are heating up, but the pressure in the system is not enough to effectively cool the upper chamber. This occurs due to wear on the piston group or valves. You can check the compression by connecting a pressure gauge to the service fitting, which only a master can do.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
The influence of the operating mode and defrosting
Users often forget that technical The condition of the refrigerator directly depends on how it is used. If you rarely defrost the unit or do it incorrectly, a thick “coat” of ice builds up on the evaporator. In models Biryusa with manual or semi-automatic defrosting, ice can completely block the channels of cold entry into the upper chamber.
It is also important to observe the temperature regime. If you set the regulator to minimum (maximum cold) in a hot room, the compressor may wear out before turning off. This leads to overheating of the oil and reduced system efficiency. The optimal temperature in the main chamber should be +2...+5°C.
Frequently opening the door and loading warm products creates excess humidity, which instantly turns into ice on the evaporator. This ice acts as a heat insulator, preventing freon from taking heat from the chamber. Regular defrosting (at least once every 6 months) is necessary even for modern models.
Pay attention to the door sealing rubber bands. If they become dry or dirty, warm, moist air constantly enters the chamber. This leads to the continuous formation of frost and disruption of the temperature balance, which especially affects the freezer compartment.
Instructions: what to do first
If you find that the upper part of the refrigerator Biryusa does not freeze, do not panic and act consistently. First, eliminate external factors that do not require calling a specialist. Check whether the door is tightly closed, whether the food is stuck in the seal and whether the temperature regulator is set correctly.
Defrost the refrigerator completely. Unplug it for at least a day. This will allow the ice to melt even in hard-to-reach areas of the No Frost system or in the drainage holes. Often, after such a procedure, the refrigerator begins to work properly, since the air lock or ice blockage is eliminated.
If after defrosting and turning it on again (after 2-3 hours of operation) the situation has not changed - the top is warm, the bottom is cold, and the compressor is working - most likely, professional repairs are required. Further operation can lead to more expensive consequences.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to open sealed connections, pierce tubes or change the compressor yourself without the skills of soldering and vacuuming the system. This will lead to final breakdown of the unit and loss of warranty.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does ice freeze in the Biryusa refrigerator only at the bottom, but is it warm at the top?
This is a classic sign of a freon leak or capillary tube clogged. There is not enough refrigerant to go through the full circulation cycle, so it only manages to cool the initial section of the evaporator (usually in the lower part or at the entrance), and the cold does not reach the upper chamber.
Is it possible to continue using the refrigerator if the top does not freeze?
You can use the fridge compartment (bottom) temporarily if the temperature remains there. However, you cannot store food in the freezer (top) - it will spoil. Long work in this mode is harmful for the compressor, which will work without interruption, trying to gain temperature.
How much does it cost to repair if the cold in the Biryusa freezer has disappeared?
The cost depends on the breakdown. Refilling with freon and finding the leak is usually cheaper than replacing the compressor. The exact price can be found out only after diagnostics by a technician on site, since it consists of the cost of work and spare parts.
How to understand that the thermostat has burned out?
If the refrigerator does not turn on at all or, conversely, works non-stop, not responding to turns of the regulator knob, the thermostat is most likely faulty. In some cases, if the thermostat breaks down, the refrigerator may freeze weakly or unevenly.
Is it necessary to change the filter drier during repairs?
Yes, if the refrigerant circuit is opened in any way (fixing a leak, replacing the compressor), the filter drier must be replaced. It absorbs moisture from the air, and when repaired, its resource is exhausted instantly. Reusing the old filter will quickly clog the system.