A sudden extraneous sound in kitchen appliances always causes alarm, especially when it comes to the heart of the kitchen - the refrigerator. The owner may notice that Biryusa refrigerator it makes cracking, clicking or buzzing noises that were not there before. This phenomenon does not necessarily indicate a critical breakdown, but you should not ignore the signals of the unit, as they may indicate various stages of wear of components.
In this article we will analyze in detail the physical nature of the occurrence of sounds in refrigeration chambers produced at the Krasnoyarsk plant. We will consider both natural processes and technical faults that require the intervention of a specialist. Understanding the source of the sound will help you make the right decision: continue operation or prepare a budget for repair of the Biryusa refrigerator.
Natural physical processes of expansion of materials
The most common and absolutely safe cause of crackling is thermal expansion and compression of materials. The inner walls of the chamber, shelves and evaporator are made of plastic and metal, which change their geometric dimensions with a sharp change in temperature. When compressor starts or stops, the temperature difference causes tension in the structure of the materials, which is released in the form of a characteristic sound.
This effect is especially often observed in new models or after defrosting. The plastic has not yet gone through the full adaptation cycle, so crackling of plastic it can be quite loud. Typically, such sounds resemble crackling or light clicking sounds that occur at regular intervals. If the sound is heard rarely and is not accompanied by other symptoms, this is normal operation of the unit.
The intensity of the sounds depends on the quality of the plastic and the design of the internal lining. Budget models, which include most versions Biryusa, use materials that are sensitive to temperature changes. Over time, when the plastic “gets in” and adapts to operating conditions, the frequency of such clicks should decrease.
Malfunctions of the defrost system and ice on the evaporator
A more serious cause of the crackling noise may be the formation of excess ice on the evaporator. If the system No Frost or drip defrost system is not working correctly, ice will accumulate and during defrosting large pieces of ice may break off and fall to the bottom of the chamber or onto the heater elements. This process is accompanied by a loud cracking and knocking sound.
In addition, ice can block the fan in models with the system No Frost. The fan blades, trying to turn, touch the ice crust, producing a rhythmic crackling or grinding sound. This is no longer just noise, but a signal that the air circulation is impaired, which leads to an increase in the temperature in the chamber.
⚠️ Attention: If the crackling sound is accompanied by an increase in temperature in the refrigerator compartment or the appearance of puddles under the refrigerator, it is necessary to urgently check the defrost system. Operation with defrost not working will lead to freezing of the compressor and its failure.
A frequent cause of ice formation is a malfunction of the defrost heating element or timer. In such cases, the ice does not have time to melt during the time allotted by the cycle, increasing its volume. To diagnose, it is necessary to conduct a visual inspection of the evaporator, having previously defrosted the unit for at least 24 hours.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
If the sound source is localized in the lower part of the unit, at the back, where the motor is located, the problem may lie in the operation compressor. A cracking sound when starting or stopping the engine often indicates a faulty start relay. This small element is responsible for supplying current to the motor windings, and when it wears out, the contacts can spark and produce a characteristic crackling sound.
In some cases, the compressor itself begins to make metallic knocks or crackling noises due to wear of the internal piston groups or valves. This indicates that the motor's life is coming to an end. If Biryusa refrigerator hums, crackles and does not freeze well, most likely the compressor needs to be replaced.
It is also worth checking the fastening of the compressor itself to the frame. If the shock-absorbing springs or rubber gaskets are worn out or come off, the vibration of the running motor will be transmitted to the metal body, causing rattling and resonant crackling.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
Deformation of the housing and violation of the geometry
Sometimes the crackling noise does not come from inside the camera and not from the motor, but from the housing itself. If the refrigerator was transported in violation of the rules or installed on an uneven floor, the metal box may experience constant stress. During thermal expansion, the metal “walks”, making sounds similar to shots or loud crackling.
Particular attention should be paid to the doors. A warped door may hit the frame when closing or even when closed if the seal is too tight. In models Biryusa with magnetic locks or complex seal geometry, this often occurs. Adjusting the hinges often solves the problem.
It is important to check whether the sides of the refrigerator are touching furniture or walls. Even minimal contact can increase compressor vibration, turning it into loud noise. There should be a gap of at least 5-7 cm between the back wall of the unit and the kitchen wall for free air circulation.
Table: Diagnostics by sound type
To more accurately determine the cause of the noise, it is recommended to compare the nature of the sound with possible malfunctions. Below is a table to help classify the problem.
| Sound type | Probable cause | Criticality | Required actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare crackling | Thermal expansion of plastic | Low | Observation, no repair required |
| Loud cracking and falling ice | Evaporator freezing | Medium | Defrosting, checking the heating element |
| Metal knocking/crackling sound from behind | Wear of compressor or relay | High | Call a technician, replace the unit |
| Rattling and humming | Fan malfunction | Medium | Cleaning or replacing the fan |
Vibration of pipelines and fasteners
Inside the refrigerator structure, especially in the lower part, there are many copper tubes with refrigerant. Over time, the constant vibration of a running compressor may weaken the tube fastenings. As a result, the tubes begin to touch each other or the walls of the housing, producing a loud metallic crackling or rattling sound.
Fixing this problem often does not require replacing parts. Carefully enough, being careful, move the tubes away from each other or secure them with clamps. However, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to entrust this operation to a specialist, since damage to the tube will lead to leakage freon.
Plastic elements of the internal lining may also be subject to vibration if they do not fit tightly enough to the main body. In such places, additional fixation or laying of sealing materials may be required.
⚠️ Attention: Independent intervention in the pipeline system is dangerous. Damage to the line will lead to an instant loss of refrigerant and will require expensive refilling and soldering.
Specific operation of different types of compressors
Refrigerators Biryusa are equipped with compressors from various manufacturers (Atlant, Danfos, Liberty, etc.), and each has their acoustic characteristics. For example, inverter models are quieter, but may produce a high-frequency whistle or crackle when power changes, which is normal for their operating technology.
Linear compressors, on the other hand, may click louder when turning on and off than their counterparts. It is important to understand that normal noise level for a household refrigerator is about 40 dB. If a crackling sound is clearly audible from the next room, this is a cause for concern.
Sometimes a crackling sound occurs due to unstable voltage in the network. If there are surges in your electrical network, the starting relay may operate in emergency mode, often turning the motor on and off, which is accompanied by clicking sounds. In this case, it is recommended to install a voltage stabilizer.
What is refrigerant and can it crack?
The refrigerant itself (freon) is silent. The sounds of gurgling or liquid flowing inside the tubes are a normal process of gas circulation through the system, especially immediately after the compressor is turned off.
When you need to call a specialist
There are a number of symptoms in which independent repair is impossible or dangerous. If the cracking sound is accompanied by a complete lack of cold, constant operation of the compressor without stopping, or the appearance of a burning smell, operation must be stopped.
Professional diagnostics are required if you find oily stains under the refrigerator or on the compressor tubes. This indicates depressurization of the system. A technician is also needed if, after defrosting for 12-24 hours, the crackling sound and lack of cold persist.
Timely contacting the service center will avoid replacing expensive components, such as a compressor or the entire refrigeration cabinet. Repairs at an early stage are much cheaper.
Noise prevention and proper care
To minimize the risk of extraneous sounds, it is important to install the refrigerator correctly. Use a building level to check for levelness. The legs of the refrigerator should be pressed tightly to the floor, but the front ones are often made slightly higher than the back ones to automatically close the door.
Regular defrosting (for drip systems) and cleaning the drainage hole will prevent the formation of ice jams. The cleanliness of the condenser (grid at the back) also affects the operation of the compressor: a dusty radiator causes the motor to overload, increasing noise and the risk of breakdown.
Do not overload the shelves with products. Heavy objects can create additional pressure on walls and shelves, causing them to deform and subsequently crack during temperature fluctuations. Even distribution of the load will prolong the life of the unit.
Why does the Biryusa refrigerator only crack at night?
At night, the overall noise level in the apartment decreases, and the sounds of equipment operation become more noticeable. In addition, at night the voltage in the electrical network may stabilize or, conversely, jump, which affects the operation of the compressor. Also at night, the unit switches on more often if during the day the door was opened more often and the temperature inside was higher.
Is it possible to lubricate the rubbing parts yourself?
Only the outer door hinges can be lubricated with edible or silicone oil. Internal mechanisms, tubes and compressor are not subject to lubrication. If oil gets on the rubber door seal it will destroy it and lose its seal.
Is it dangerous to continue using a cracking refrigerator?
If the cracking is caused by the expansion of the plastic, it is not dangerous. If the sound is mechanical (knocking, grinding) and is accompanied by heating of the motor or loss of cold, further operation can lead to complete failure of the compressor, the repair of which is often not economically feasible.
Does the quantity of products affect the noise level?
Yes, it does. An empty refrigerator cycles more often because the air heats up quickly when the door is opened. A full chamber (especially with products with high heat capacity, such as water or meat) keeps the cold longer, the compressor turns on less often, but runs longer. Resonance from products on shelves can also increase vibration.