The refrigerator is a complex and expensive household appliance, consisting of several tens of nodes and parts. The most important of them is the compressor (in the technical literature it is customary to call it a motor-compressor). In modern two-, three-chamber refrigerators there can be several compressors (for each chamber).
It is not uncommon for a refrigerator to fail due to a compressor breakdown. As a rule, its breakdown is serious. Replacing a refrigerator compressor is not a cheap procedure. Therefore, before proceeding with the repair, it is worthwhile to conduct a competent diagnosis and establish the correct cause of the breakdown. For example, replacing a Stinol refrigerator compressor will cost from 6900 to 11500 rubles. The process itself is complex and requires special knowledge and equipment.
What is a compressor?
Many craftsmen call it the heart of the refrigerator. The operability of the entire cooling system depends on the proper operation of this element. The motor pumps coolant vapors in a closed refrigerator system, which consists of a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser.
The compressor itself is a technically complex unit. It consists of:
- relay;
- electric motor;
- piston (as pistons of internal combustion engines).
Deterioration of the motor-compressor operation requires its immediate repair, and in case of failure, a replacement may be necessary.
How does a refrigerator work?
To determine a possible breakdown or malfunction of the compressor, you need to understand the basics of the refrigerator.
The refrigerant evaporates and in a gaseous state enters the condenser, in which, giving up heat, it gradually turns into a liquid. In the evaporator of the freezer, it again becomes gaseous due to heat. If the condenser and the evaporator are operating continuously, the compressor is switched on only from temperature sensors in the refrigerator chamber. The temperature rises, temperature sensors signal this to the start relay, and it starts the motor-compressor. When the temperature in the chamber decreases, the motor turns off.
Compressor Symptoms
Most of the refrigerator malfunctions, in which the compressor is disrupted, can be visually determined:
- the temperature in the cells is higher than normal;
- the motor-compressor does not stop;
- the compressor overheats;
- the compressor works, but does not heat up;
- the start relay starts the compressor, but it does not start working (characteristic clicks are heard without starting the motor);
- at work there were noises that had not been noticed before, vibration, rattling;
- the condenser (with the compressor running) does not heat up, but remains at room temperature.
Causes of compressor damage and failure
The refrigerator cooling system, as mentioned above, is a complex closed loop. Most modern manufacturers guarantee its correct operation for long periods. In addition, almost all such systems are equipped with protection systems against the most common violations of operating rules arising from the fault of the consumer.
Most often, a compressor breakdown occurs due to:
- high or low voltage in the electrical network;
- peak voltage nets;
- violations of the operating modes of the refrigerator (for example, they forget to turn off the temporary “quick freeze” mode);
- additional heating of the parts of the refrigerator (for example, if the refrigerator is near a radiator);
- consumer attempts to independently change and repair parts of the refrigerator.
- damage (case, condenser) when transporting or moving the refrigerator.
What to do if the refrigerator is not working?
The most correct is to call a specialist who will conduct an inspection and diagnosis of a refrigerator malfunction. If the user decided to start by assessing the cause of the malfunction on his own, it is worth taking the path from simple to complex.
Not always malfunctions or failure are associated with the motor-compressor.
Important to remember! During normal operation of the refrigerator, the compressor itself may slightly heat up, but should work silently (operation can be found only by the uniform humming of the refrigerator or compressor, only if you put your hand to them). The condenser tubes are slightly heated (while heating should be uniform).
First, check the temperature sensors in the cameras. The failure of such a sensor makes the normal functioning of the refrigerator impossible. Checking can only be done with special tools.
Then it is worth checking the starting relay of the motor-compressor, for which special devices are also needed.
Checking the power cord and refrigerator wiring often causes a malfunction due to external mechanical damage.
When is a refrigerator compressor replacement needed?
If the diagnostics of other components of the device did not give results, and the motor does not work and does not make any sounds, most likely, it needs repair. In most cases, you have to change it completely. Burned motors cannot be repaired.
How much does the repair cost?
How much it costs to replace a compressor in a refrigerator will depend on several factors:
- the price of the motor itself or its analogue;
- the difficulty of extracting a failed device and installing a new one.
If you diagnose a malfunction during time, you can save a lot. For example, replacing the compressor of the Atlant refrigerator costs from 7400 to 11500 rubles. It turns out that restoration work can cost almost half the cost of a new device.
According to experienced craftsmen, costly refrigerator repair and compressor replacement can be avoided in most cases by contacting professionals at the first sign of a breakdown. Often a forerunner of a big malfunction is small causes (freon leakage, thermostat malfunction, rubber seal wear), which are much cheaper to fix completely.
Direct repair
Today, some hastily take on complex work (such as replacing a compressor) in which they have no experience other than do-it-yourself online manuals.
Replacing a refrigerator compressor is a complex process, which requires an accurate determination of the cause of the malfunction, the experience and qualifications of a specialist, and specialized tools (gas burner, refrigerant storage, puncture valves and other equipment).
Even more absurd look amateurs who undertake to repair a failed motor. The absurdity lies in the fact that manufacturers intentionally produce a compressor in a non-separable form. This is evidenced by the sealing of the entire case (despite the fact that the device is very complex and consists of several tens of parts). In the event of failure of some parts of the motor, they are not repaired, but the refrigerator compressor is completely replaced with a new one.
Only a specialist with experience with the help of a special tool should do this.
Conclusion
Since such repairs are expensive (for example, replacing the Indesit refrigerator compressor will cost owners from 7400 to 9900 rubles), it is worth observing the operating rules. The most common cause of failure is the instability of the power supply. Therefore, it is recommended to connect the refrigerator not directly, but through a voltage regulator.