Liebherr CUNesf 3913 fridge not as cold as should be.

[Gerard]

Hi,
Re service number 9990024-05.
We have had this fridge freezer for almost 10 years trouble free. I noticed that fridge has begun to not get as cold as it normally does and the freezer is seemingly colder. I have dropped the fridge setting to 1 degree but it only gets to 5 degrees after several hours and not opening the door.
i have removed the inside cover, there was little ice, let it defrost, the drain hole is patent.
There is ice formation in the fridge but seemingly not as much as usual and the fridge doesn’t seem to make the same “whirping” and cracking/creaking noises as it usually does. The fan appears to be working in the freezer.
Looking for some opinions on what it could be, possible cost and whether at this age I should just buy a new one please?

[Gerard]

Update, decided to put it back to 3 degrees and the temperature has now dropped to 3.7 degrees. Whilst this is good I would like to know what the problem could be please? I noticed the initial problem Thursday.

[kwatt]

Best guess, given it went back down in temp after being high, it’s one of the sensors that’s playing up and if I’m correct the temp will go a it wonky again at some stage.

K.

[Gerard]

Hi,
thanks, going to monitor this with a temp logger next to the fridge sensor and review what’s going on. Will also give Liebherr a call after contacting the most local authorised repair agent. Not sure if there’s a list of common fault/repairs for this model.

[Gerard]

Further question please…
I have recently purchased a Bluetooth thermometer to keep an eye on this as there is a bit of a swing with the temperature.
It appears that if the fridge is set to 3 degrees, the fridge cycles on for 4 hours, off for 4 hours.
If set to 5 degrees, it’s a 2 hour on/off cycle, it does appear to break this cycle.
I haven’t attempted to put excess foods in to raise the temperature but my wife has on occasion filled the bottom shelf with tins of room temperature beer tins and the temperature obviously rose but I didn’t notice whether the fridge start to cool it down.
Is this duty cycle normal or indicative of some sort of fault?
I note our Neff cycles frequently and appears to retain a constant temperature.
The Liebherr, mostly stores drinks in the fridge and when set at 5, had an average of 6, with the sensor somewhat close to the back (2 small tins away) approx 8 inches above the low shelf.
My concerns are that if the fridge is topped up at the end of a 4 hour cycle, it won’t start to cool down for another 4 hours.
Hope this makes sense…
Thanks.

[Gerard]

Can’t find the edit button..
If set to 5 degrees, it’s a 2 hour on/off cycle, it doesn’t appear to break this cycle

[kwatt]

It’s not on a timed cycle at all. It’s all down to the thermistor telling it when to switch on or off.

K.

[Gerard]

Thanks kwatt, I ask because following monitoring via the app, it appears that the recorded data is following the noted duty cycles. I have just loaded some more room temp tins and will keep an eye on it to see how it raises the temperature and how it recovers.

[Tony R]

Air sensor in fridge sited middle of cabinet on the left, along with the air sensor in the freezer turns compressor off, the fridge air sensor also switches the solenoid valve to position B ( freezer cooling only )
Fridge evaporator sensor ends the defrosting of the fridge, turns compressor back on and switches valve to position A ( fridge and freezer cooling )
Freezer air sensor turns compressor on or off
Freezer evaporator sensor ends the auto defrost and turns the fan on.
So dependant on any rise in temperature in the freezer, noted by the air sensor the compressor will be on, like wise the same for the fridge.
The fridge can be set for an average temperature, close to that setting, the freezer temperature is not adjustable.

[Gerard]

Hi Tony, thanks for the reply. As mentioned I will keep an eye on the data over the next few weeks and evaluate the recovery phases re times.

[Gerard]

I take it there’s no position for just the fridge?

[Tony R]

Yes Gerard, Freezer temperature is dependant on fridge setting, there is no setting for freezer, but a temperature of -18c or lower is achieved regardless of where fridge is set.

[Gerard]

Another issue has just arisen. I’ve been monitoring both this Liebherr and our integrated Neff fridge freezer with Bluetooth thermometers and on the occasions I look, everything seems to be in order until today.
The Liebherr freezer has been cycling between – 22 to – 26 with the odd rise to – 17 now and again, not related to putting food in it or leaving the door open.
Looking at the logs, it would appear to have failed to attain – 22 around 7 this morning and proceed to rise to – 16 and has been cycling around this temperature since. The fridge has warmed to 10 degrees.
The compresor feels hot, there doesn’t seem to be any water in the pot above it and one pipe is cold on the compressor the black grill at the back doesn’t feel particularly warm.
I have turned the unit off for 10 minutes, transferred in some frozen freezer blocks and put it back on superfrost in hope that it will magically be fixed but suspect that it won’t be…
I think it’s about 12 years old and suspect that a visit may beyond the value of the fridge.. Any advice welcome.

[Gerard]

Just an update should somebody search for this model of fridge in the future.
I decided to buy another fridge freezer instead of exploring a fix due to the unknown variables. The new one cycles more frequently and attains a tighter range for both zones.
Thanks for the replies.

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