LG GR232-SBD Fridge Freezer condensation & ice

[BB78]

Can someone please tell me what is wrong with my fridge freezer, it’s an LG GR232-SBD and has 2 problems:
1) Heavy condensation along the top third of the back wall in the fridge.
2) Ice build up on the bottom left of the back wall & in the drain channel in the fridge.

Everything I’ve read suggests the condensation is most likely being caused by the door seal but it looks absolutely fine, it’s not dry, cracked, torn or out of shape, I’ve cleaned it, I’ve tried lubricating it with Vaseline, the fridge is tilted backwards so the door closes properly, there are no visible gaps and I can’t feel any cold air escaping but when I try the paper test I can pull it out easily. Also the top of the fridge and the trim along the top of the fridge door and discoloured (don’t know if this is significant or they just need bleaching.)

The ice forming bottom left is 100{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} not due to a blocked drain, I’ve checked, I’ve put straws all the way down and I’ve poured hot water through it and watched it come out into the drip pan. The problem is the water never gets a chance to flow down the drain channel, for some reason the bottom left of the fridge is extra cold and any water running down freezes when it hits this point.

I’ve tried turning the dial up but that just freezes the condensation and turning the dial down means nothing gets cold enough. I don’t often have fresh fruit & veg in the fridge, I let stuff cool before putting it in the fridge, nothing is touching the back wall & it does it whether the fridge is empty or full. The fridge freezer is free standing, there are no coils underneath or at the back that are accessible for dust to collect on, the vents are clear, the only bit that’s accessible at the back is where the compressor & drip pan is and I’ve vacuumed the dust & cobwebs out. And I’ve defrosted the freezer.

The fridge freezer is old (it was left behind by the previous owners but says on it first produced 2001) it seems to work ok, the ice is an annoyance but I’m worried it means the fridge freezer is dying.
I could buy a new door seal but it’s £56 and a lot of money when I’m not sure if that’s the problem and a lot of money if whatever is making the bottom left of the fridge so cold is something terminal or uneconomical to repair.
I can’t find a parts manual or diagram online and the back panel doesn’t look like it comes off (easily) to see what is in the area that is extra cold, the only instruction manual I can find online is missing the last 4/5 pages and the LG website is useless.

[SAMURI]

Re: LG GR232-SBD Fridge Freezer condensation & ice

A few problems can cause this but because of its age it is better to spend the money on a new one.

The most likely faults it would be are

1 Low on refrigerant.

2 The compressor is not pumping correctly ( worn out needs replacing )

3 A blockage in the fridge evaporator

4 The insulation is failing

All would be beyond economical repair on a 2001 fridge freezer

Bob

[BB78]

Re: LG GR232-SBD Fridge Freezer condensation & ice

Bugger! Looks like I’ll have to put up with the ice till it dies then. Need to keep it going for as long as possible as I want under counter separates when I replace it but I don’t have room until I can redo the kitchen which won’t be for a while. 🙁

Thanks for the reply Bob (Samuri)

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