Modern refrigeration units of the brand Stinol, especially models with the No Frost system, are equipped with a complex air circulation system, the key element of which is the fan. When the air in the chamber stops cooling or, conversely, excessive noise appears, experienced craftsmen first check this particular unit. Understanding where it is fan in the Stinol refrigeratoris critical for carrying out quick and high-quality diagnostics without calling service.
The location of the blower depends on the specific modification of your device: is it a single-chamber model or a double-chamber one, as well as on the year of manufacture of the equipment. In most cases, access to it is hidden behind decorative panels, and a visual inspection will require partial disassembly of the interior of the freezer compartment. Below we will analyze in detail the search algorithm and typical locations for installing the motor in various series.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on disassembling and searching for internal components, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network to avoid electric shock.
The principle of operation of the No Frost system and the role of the fan
To accurately determine the location details, it is necessary to understand the logic of the entire system. In refrigerators Stinol with the “No Frost” technology, the cold is generated in the evaporator, which is most often hidden behind the back wall of the freezer. The task fan is to force air through the evaporator radiator and distribute the cooled flows across all shelves of the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
If this mechanism stops, circulation stops. As a result, the evaporator becomes overgrown with a “fur coat”, and the products in the main chamber begin to deteriorate due to the increase in temperature. The blower motor is usually mounted directly on the evaporator casing or in a special air duct.
Some models use a double-blowing system, where there may be two fans: one main one, driving air through the chambers, and the second, blowing the condenser itself or the compressor from the outside (although the latter is less common in the household Stinol lines). Our goal is to find the internal circulation module.
Why may the fan not start immediately?
In some models, the fan start is programmed with a delay after the compressor is turned on or depends on the position of the door. If the door is open, the blower often stops to save energy and prevent freezing.
Where to look for a fan in the freezer
In the vast majority of two-chamber models Stinol (for example, series 103, 116, 118), access to the fan is located in the freezer compartment. You will need to empty the chamber of food and remove all shelves and drawers. The main reference point is the back wall.
It is behind the rear plastic panel that hides the evaporator and the evaporator mounted on it fan motor. The panel can be attached with screws, which are sometimes hidden under decorative plugs, or held on with plastic latches. Be careful when removing plastic, as it becomes brittle at low temperatures.
In models with a bottom freezer, the procedure is similar: remove the drawers, see the back wall with ribs or a smooth panel. Depending on the design, the fan can be located:
- 🌀 In the upper part of the evaporator, taking in cold air from above.
- 🌀 In the lower part, blowing air from bottom to top through special channels.
- 🌀 On the side of the radiator, if the evaporator design is vertical.
Often, wires are connected to the fan housing, which can also be hidden under a layer of insulation or foam. To accurately determine the installation location, it is better to remove the back panel completely.
Location features in single-chamber models
In single-chamber refrigerators Stinol with the No Frost system (where the entire volume is freezing or separated by a thin partition), the search logic changes. Here the fan is often located in the upper part of the unit, since cold air is heavier than warm air and must fall down.
You can get to it by removing the top cover inside the chamber or dismantling the lampshade if it is combined with the air duct. In older models without No Frost, fans are rarely used; natural convection works there, so the search may not be successful - simply because the part is not there.
If you hear a humming sound, but the cold does not come out, check if the air duct opening is blocked by food. Sometimes impeller is located in a hard-to-reach place behind a layer of polyurethane foam, and its replacement requires calling a specialist.
⚠️ Attention: The design of air ducts in different modifications of Stinol may differ. Do not use excessive force when removing panels so as not to damage the fragile plastic.
Algorithm for searching and accessing parts
For a systematic approach to searching, it is recommended to adhere to a clear action plan. Chaotic disassembly can lead to damage to freon tubes or plastic elements.
☑️ Procedure for searching
Start with a visual inspection. Look for holes in the back wall or characteristic gaps through which air is blowing. This is where the flow leads. Begin disassembly by securing the panel. If there are no screws, look for latches around the perimeter.
After removing the panel, you will see a metal radiator (evaporator). The fan Stinol usually is a black plastic case with a turbine and motor mounted inside. It can be attached to the evaporator on a bracket or built into a plastic air duct box.
For ease of diagnosis, you can carefully bend the power wires (after marking them with a marker) and try to turn the impeller by hand. It should rotate freely, without jamming.
Diagnostics of fan malfunctions
Having understood where the unit is located, it is necessary to assess its condition. Often the problem lies not in a burnt-out motor winding, but in a mechanical obstacle. Frozen ice can block the blades, causing the motor to hum but not rotate.
Check bearings the shaft. If, when scrolling by hand, you feel a backlash or hear a metallic creak, it means that the mechanism has exhausted its service life and requires replacement. It is also worth checking the integrity of the suitable wires - sometimes they freeze or are cut by ice.
Main symptoms of a malfunction:
- 🔇 Complete absence of noise from a running fan when the compressor is on.
- 🔊 The appearance of an extraneous whistle, crackling or knocking in the freezer.
- 🌡️ Defrosting food in the refrigerator compartment while the motor is running.
If the fan does not start even when the unit is defrosted, you will need to check it with a multimeter for a break chains.
Table of typical installation locations in Stinol models
To simplify navigation through the insides of your refrigerator, we will organize the data in a table. This will help you get your bearings before disassembly begins.
| Model / Series | Location | Access type | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stinol 103 / 104 | Frost, behind the back wall | Removing 4-6 screws | The fan is often filled with ice |
| Stinol 116 / 118 | The upper part of the evaporator | Removing the plastic panel | Mounting on rubber vibration dampers |
| Stinol 242 | Air duct (side) | Removing the side wall | Access is difficult, complete defrosting is required |
| Stinol 101 (No Frost) | Behind the top chamber cover | Removing the lampshade/cover | Rare model, complex design |
Please note that during operation the manufacturing plant may have made changes to the design. Therefore the exact configuration is always determined only after opening a specific piece of equipment.
Replacement and prevention
If diagnostics showed that the fan is faulty, it must be replaced. Original spare parts for Stinol are becoming more difficult to find, but there are universal analogues with similar geometric dimensions and electrical parameters (usually 220V or 12V, see marking).
When installing a new unit, be sure to treat the fastening areas with silicone grease to reduce vibration. Also check the condition of the door seals - if they allow warm air to pass through, the fan will work with overload, trying to compensate for the heat inflow, which will quickly disable it.
Regular defrosting of the refrigerator (at least once a year) significantly extends the life of the No Frost system and prevents ice from freezing on the blades.
Is it possible to temporarily remove the fan and use it? refrigerator?
Technically, the refrigerator will work without a fan, but the cooling efficiency will drop by 60-70%. The refrigerator compartment may stop freezing completely, and there will be large temperature changes in the freezer. In addition, the compressor will work without stopping, which will lead to its rapid wear.
Why does the fan turn on only when the door is closed?
This is the normal operation of the limit switch (door position sensor). When the door is open, the fan stops so as not to blow cold into the room and prevent freezing from moisture in the air. If it does not turn on when the door is closed, the limit switch itself or the wiring to it may be faulty.
How to distinguish fan noise from compressor noise?
Fan noise is usually higher-pitched, whistling or buzzing, and it comes from inside the chamber. Compressor noise is a low-frequency hum, vibration coming from the rear or bottom of the unit. If you open the door slightly and the sound changes or disappears, it’s definitely a fan.