Fridge not cooling.

Calibos

Its actually a glass doored commercial milk fridge but a fridge is a fridge.

Electrics are fine because the fans are spinning. Temp dial is set correctly. I think I hear the compressor making a noise when I power off and on. Yet the fridge is not cooling and the radiator grille on the back does not get warm. The Fridge is about 15 years old.

Anything else I could try/test to help diagnose? Does it need refridgerent regassing or somesuch? Or is it likely uneconomical to repair?

Any advice would be appreciated.

NickNickleby

Had a similar problem with one of those American type f/freezers. It was caused by a build up of frost/ice behind the plastic at the back of the fridge - which ironically is sold as 'frost-free'.
The fix was a total defrosting, took over 24 hours and there was water everywhere. Fortunately I had a fridge in the shed to store stuff during the meanwhilst (Monty Python reference there, who will spot it??)

Anyway, that was a year ago and no problem since. I blame my wife for her tendency to leave the door open for long periods while she rearranges the contents.

Nick

Calibos

Bit more googling indicates it could be as simple as a €20 set of relays needing replacing. Anyone know where to start looking online for Fridge compressor relays?

byte

Quinnspares or Exparetise come to mind, but they might only stock spares for domestic appliances. No harm ringing them though.

Otherwise, you'd probably need to try companies that supply commercial appliances.

The Red Ace

once the compressor is running that eliminates the starting relay, 100% sure it has a gas leak, rarely fixable.

Calibos

The Red Ace wrote: »

once the compressor is running that eliminates the starting relay, 100% sure it has a gas leak, rarely fixable.

To confirm for sure whether Im hearing the compressor Ill have to unplug the coke fridge beside it because the fans and compressor on that are quite loud. If I cant hear anything or feel vibration indicating the compressor is coming on, removal and shaking of the relays should indicate if they are failed/rattling. Would that be the correct way to diagnose failed relays or failed compressor?

The Red Ace

see if the compressor is warm, if it is it is most likely running. if you can determine that it isnt running but is cutting in/out its most likely it has a burned out winding. unless its quite old and has a wire wound relay that is sticking it should be clicking in/out trying to start. if the relay is solid state and not burned I have never seen them fail.you. see if you can tell if the compressor is running or not, it is pointless buying parts unless you can diagnose what is needed , let us know your findings.