Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

[Ruedi]

I have a Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01

I purchased this second hand Bosch Fridge Freezer over the weekend on e-bay auction.
I collected it and put it in the van on its side.

When I got it home, I stood it up and waited 4 hours before switching it on to let the gasses settle as I was advised to on the last Fridge Freezer I bought that works fine.

I switched the Fridge Freezer on. The Freezer is working fine but the Fridge is running at 16 deg C and the kitchen temperature is roughly 19 deg C.
It has been running for 24 hours now.

I have noticed that the temperature in the freezer section is off the scale (colder than -30 deg C) on a thermometer I have and that the motor/pump has been continually running and not switched off since I switched the appliance on.

Reading this forum, it would imply that the motor/pump must be working OK as the freezer would not be getting cold I would assume.

Can someone tell me what the problem is please?

Is it because I put this Fridge/Freezer on its side to transport in the van?
Could it be the thermostat in the fridge, but would that make the freezer only work and not the fridge?

I do not want to complain to the sellers unless I was sure they had pulled a fast one, as they seemed genuine when they sold it to me because they pointed out a small scratch that I would expect on a 5 year old Fridge Freezer (that is what they told me the age is) bought for £68.

[subs]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

It seems as though it may be short of gas. This is why the fridge is not getting cold enough and the compressor is continuasly running as the thermostat in the fridge is waiting for the fridge to get down to tempreture before it cuts out the compressor. It means there must be a leak in the system somewhere. Could have happened in transit but more likely it was already there. You would need an engineer to find and repair the leak (not always possible) and re-gass. After what you already paid for it, it may not be worth the cost.

Subs

[Ruedi]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

Thank you for that advice.

I have made enquiries and perhaps someone can tell me if this could be the situation.
“I was told that it is unlikely that there would be a loss of gas because if there was, then there would be signs of oil as the oil would be pumped out. One is best to leave the fridge switched off for two days and let the oil settle back down.”

I am not sure if this is correct because I would have thought that the molecules of gas would be smaller than oil and therefore it would be possible for only gas to leak. The other thing is that the oil may not be able to be pumped out.

I would appreciate any comments on this.
i.e. could it be the oil creating the problem I have?

[subs]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

There would only be evidence of oil around the leak if it was on a visible part of the pipe work for example where the pipes join the compressor. More often than not i come across fridges with a loss of gas with no visual evidence at all because the leak is on the pipe work that runs through the frame of the fridge within the foam insulation. Sometimes the leak is so small it can take months for the gas to leak out enough to have an effect on the function of the fridge. Thats why from what you describe i would say that the leak was there when you bought it. There is a slim chance you have a partial blockage in the fridge evaporator so you can try turning it off for a day or two but if its still the same then its time to call an engineer or your e-bay seller.

Subs

[Ruedi]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

Subs,

Thank you for your advice that makes sense.
I shall leave the Fridge/Freezer for a couple of days and then switch it on.
However, when I look at the back of the fridge and the element of the fridge and freezer, I cannot see how all the oil could get back to the pump as the other ends of some of the pipework is after a loop (i.e. up and over and down).

[Ruedi]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

I left the fridge freezer for two days and then switched it on.
Exactly the same happened again.
Freezer chilled fully (psat -30 deg C), fridge stayed approximately at room temperature.
I did tell her that the fridge is not cooling.
This is her reply:
“I am not sure what to say really. Other than it was working
fine before it was transported to our house about a week
before you collected it. It was strapped into the van and
secured on the journey so not sure how it could have lost
gas. But let me know if you dont have any luck with it.
Regards Emma”

I can see on one of the pipes going into the resevoir/pump on the join very sight traces of green/white compared to other pipes but this looks as if it has been like that for years (not recent). Is this solder/flux or could it be signs of where the leak is?

Can a frideg/freezer only loose gas if it has a leek?

How much does it cost to re-gas a run of the mill Bosch Fridge Freezer. It is not integrated and plenty of space to work on?

Advice and comment would be appreciated.

[helo_75]

that ssounds more like a blockage to be honest

and yes its because you laid it down
not impossible to cure, just difficult

the dryer will need changing and a good vac down… work on AT LEAST £100 for the work

[Ruedi]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

I have bought two of these identical fridges in the last two months and laid them both down for transport.
How come one works and they other doesn’t?

What do you mean by a “good cavc down” please?

How does one do this operation and where is this thing that needs drying out?

Thank you for your information so far.

[helo_75]

i spelt it wrong.. the d ryer is the bulbous part of the pipework at the back… a sealed system needs to be vaccuumed to remove moisture… specialist stuff, im afraid

[Ruedi]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

Please;

How do I get rid of the blockage in a sealed system?
Do I just tilt the fridge at different angles until the air lock disappears?
Do I do this with the fridge/freezer running or not?

What is this bulbous thing and where is it? Is this the compressor/pump?

How does one vacuum clean this out as I see nothing to be able to vacuum out as it is sealed?

[superfix]

Re: Bosch Fridge Freezer KGV31421GB/01 Fridge not chilling

As Helo said, you need a refrigeration system engineer, with specialist kit to do this job.

Not a DIY job.

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