Fridge in fridge freezer intermittently warms up

[ukwhitegoods_rob]

Hi, I have a AEG Santo S75408 KG8 fridge freezer. Product number: 925034420-00, Serial Number: 80340256.

I’m having trouble with only the fridge part warming up intermittently, the freezer continues to operate fine. The temperature reading on the fridge increases (it has a digital readout at the top of the fridge and you can feel that the fridge is warmer so the reading seems sensible).

I have done a full defrost which seems to solve the problem for a period ranging from a couple of months to a few days. The ice build up tends to either occur down the back of the freezer compartment behind the removable panelling (in the form of a solid layer of transparent ice), or more recently, at the top of the freezer compartment (in the form of white crystaline ice), around the heat sink fins behind the non-removable panelling. As well as doing a full defrost, as a quick fix on a number of occasions, I have used a hair dryer to defrost the ice around the heat sink fins, however this doesn’t tend to solve the problem for long.

Can anyone suggest what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Rob.

[SAMURI]

Re: Fridge in fridge freezer intermittently warms up

How long did you defrost it for?

You need to turn it off for 48 hours with the doors open to fully defrost.

Then check the tray on the compressor has water in it.

If no water in the tray then check the non return valve at the end of the drain pipe to the compressor tray is not sticking or blocked.

If when you turn it back on after a couple of weeks it does the same then you have a defrost heater problem, this is then a expensive repair and not a DIY job.

Bob

[ukwhitegoods_rob]

Re: Fridge in fridge freezer intermittently warms up

Hi Bob,

many thanks for your quick response. I left it long enough to be fully defrosted and the tray on the compressor did have water in it. I cleared the non-return valve anyway previous to defrosting it.

Can you be a bit more specific on what the defrost heater problem is? i.e. is it that the heater isn’t functioning or that it’s not being activated, or is it not clear? Also, how expensive a repair job are we talking? Without repairing it, I would need a new fridge freezer!

Thanks,
Rob.

[SAMURI]

Re: Fridge in fridge freezer intermittently warms up

It depends on the fault but if you get the manufacturer to repair you would be looking at about £250

A local engineer would be cheaper but would still be about £180 if vat registered.

The defrost heater and heater stat most likely need replacing as generally it is best to replace both at the same time.

Bob

[Author]

Posts