Hotpoint RLA36G.1 Fridge – Large Temp Fluctuations in The Space of a Few Weeks.

[Paft]

Hello,

Is there a simple foolproof way of knowing whether it’s the compressor, thermostat or thermistor? I’m a noob.

TL;DR: Temps randomly started getting really low 0°C and lower…now they’re creeping up too high. 9°C What gives?

About a month or so (I think) before the temp fluctuations the only issue was water in the bottom of the fridge. I believe that was a block in the drain. I pulled out some gunk (possibly cardboard) with a cotton swab. I assumed that has been resolved since it’s dry…

About 2 or so weeks ago my fridge quickly started forming ice/”snow” at the top section on the back. The fridge also seemed to get much colder despite not touching the dial from 3(n).

The typical temp was 3°C give or take depending on the shelf. Then it was dropping to 1 or 0 or even below. A thick blanket of ice formed at the top which I removed, only for it to return a few days later.

Overall flat temp is currently 20.2°C

I have two fridge thermometers to keep an eye on the temps. They started getting much lower than usual, so I had to change the dial to 1.5. It goes from 5-1. 5 being the coldest.

Now the issue has reversed as of 4 days ago. 1.5 isn’t cold enough nor is 3. I’m not even sure 5 is yet (it hasn’t been 24 hours on setting 5.) The ice is melting away.

I’ve briefly checked the back, it was borderline spotless.

So far the temps aren’t going lower than around 6°C. It’s currently at 9+°C (because I’ve opened the door a lot?)

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Ice that once covered the area is now melting

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I must also point out that I’ve never really needed to change the dial from 3 during autumn/winter in the past.

I wouldn’t really know..but the seal seems OK. The space around the fridge is less than is recommended in the manual. But the fridge has been relatively OK for a few years. I don’t have much choice…I’m in a flat with nowhere else to put it.

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It’s melting away now–but it was a little thicker and covered that whole section.

https://youtu.be/uE7hlQhfjEA

Manual: https://www.manualslib.com/products/…36-237044.html

[Paft]

Edit: I replaced the thermostat. That isn’t it. /edit.
Do you think it could be the Thermostat?

[Paft]

No input from anyone 🙁

Is my model the type that uses condenser coils internally as well as externally? Should I bother leaving it unplugged for 24hrs? Ice keeps building up at the top rear, yet it isn’t cold enough even on the coldest setting.

Edit: I think think it does: Diagrams here: https://parts.hotpoint.co.uk/rla36g1-769991621911/p

[Tony R]

Looking at the pictures you have posted, I would suggest the problem is with the refrigerant charge ( low on gas ) or the compressor is not pumping correctly, either of these problems mean the whole back area of the fridge ( evaporator ) is not evenly freezing over and the thermostat phial is sensing this, that will cause the compressor to run constantly and can cause very low temperatures. As the leak increases or the performance of the compressor decreases the temperature will rise, and the ice will disappear completely over a period of time. Internal gas leaks impossible to repair, compressor expensive to replace.

[Paft]

Thanks for the response.

That’s what I was dreading.

Yes, the compressor is always running. It still seems to form ice even after I’ve scraped it off, and the temp isn’t all that cool. Middle shelf 8 °C ish, top 10 °C ish cel at the moment.

I’ll look into a new countertop fridge. Any recommendations or ones to avoid?

[don]

Paft wrote:
[B]I’ll look into a new countertop fridge. Any recommendations or ones to avoid?

Highly recommend Liebherr as they are the best, probably Hotpoint and the Beko’s next.

Ones to avoid Bush, Essentials, Hoover and Haier in my opinion 😉

Don

[Tony R]

Agree naturally with Liebherr, expensive but build quality second to none, the ice will keep appearing in the top as its not freezing the whole back area for the thermostat to operate and carry out the off cycle defrost. If the system was able to freeze the whole back of the unit, it will make the fridge cool normally, and allow the thermostat to operate as normal.

[Author]

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