Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluing?

[admin]

Hi,

I’ve got a Philips fridge/freezer. When defrosting it, I noticed that the seal at the bottom is slightly damaged – a thin layer of plastic from on top of the seal has peeled off a little. When I tested the seal by closing a sheet of paper in the door, it held the paper firmly all round except right at the bottom; at the bottom it holds it in place but not quite so firmly. Basically, I’m wondering if it’s worth replacing the seal, or if this is something I can glue back in place (it seems to just a a thin bit of plastic from on top of the seal, rather than the seal itself, that’s coming loose)? And, if seals are likely to be available for this model, how much do they cost and can they be fitted at home? The model no. is ARB 432/PH

Performance of the fridge/freezer hasn’t been bad…after all I’ve only just noticed the problem. There’s been a lot of ice to defrost, but it’s been about 8 months since last defrost and – as there’s an ‘ice box’ compartment on top of the freezer rather than a separate freezer – I gather this can be a problem with such fridge/freezers anyway.

What do people suggest?

Jon

[Martin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Anonymous wrote:The model no. is ARB 432/PH

Knowing Philips (Whirlpool nowadays) the cost of a new seal won’t be the cheaper option 🙁

Sadly, the model number you have given doesn’t show on my system? Are you sure you have given us the correct number? Was it purchased in the UK?

Martin

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Thanks for the info.

The only numbers I could find on the label inside are the model – ARB 432/PH – and another number – N15010 TR 85481816. Don’t know if that’s any help. It also says ‘made in Italy’.

I bought it off the previous owner of my house, so don’t know where it was bought.

Something else I noticed makes me more reluctant to spend much on a new seal – there’s a small crack in the bottom of the inside of the freezer. Given that it seems to work OK, is there any reason not to just glue the seal shut and keep on using it as is? Or any better suggestions?

Will probably need replacing eventually, but reluctant to splash out on a new one right now – unless anyone know of a nice under-worktop fridge-freezer selling for around £50 😉

Cheers,

Jon

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Time to give up I’m afraid, the number “TR 85481816” is the serial number and indicates it was manufactured in the 48th week of 1985 😯

At 20 years old, you won’t get a new seal, also it won’t be on the disk Martin refers to.

Dave.

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Fair enough…thanks for the info. Cheek from the seller, selling me a 20-year old fridge 👿 At 20 years old, I guess it might well have been like that for a while – any reason not to keep using it for the moment? Or are the generic seals you can get (called ‘universal seals’ I think) any good?

btw, as it probably will want replacing b4 another 20 years have passed, if anyone knows of a good cheap model of fridge freezer to fit under a kitchen worktop then that would be handy for future reference…

Cheers,

Jon

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

You can get “universal” seals that you cut to size and glue the corners etc but are rarely successful to be honest.

I would let it limp along until it gives up the ghost completely 😉

Dave.

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Yeah, my natural laziness is favouring the ‘limp along’ policy 😉 If I glue the loose bit of the seal back in place, that’s not going to make matters any worse?

Cheers,

Jon

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Nope, gluing it will be fine, use kitchen suitable silicone though as it is non-toxic, just in case (as it’s near food) 😀

Dave.

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Cheers,

Where do I buy kitchen suitable silicone from – will b&q or Wilkinsons be likely to have it, or is it more specialised?

Thanks,

Jon

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Any DIY store will have it Jon 😉

Dave.

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Thanks for that; will go and get it sorted out.

Jon

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Hi,

Sorry if I’m being dense, but I couldn’t find any kitchen suitable silone glue (tried 2 DIY stores and got a blank look from both of them). I was therefore thinking – is this the same silicone sealant I’ve put behind my sink, to put a seal where it meets the wall, or is there a special type of silicone glue? And if so know where I could get it mailorder?

The closest I cam to a food-safe glue is copydex safe adhesive – apparently this is non-toxic, but I’m not sure how effective it’d be…it’s made by pritt-stick after all…

Cheers,

Jon

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Anonymous wrote:is this the same silicone sealant I’ve put behind my sink

Yep, the same stuff, if it’s suitable for working surfaces where food is prepared, it has to be pretty safe 😀

Dave.

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Cool – I think I’ve even got some left-over from when I did my bathroom… Presumably to use it like a glue I just put a very thin layer on my fridge?

Cheers,

Jon

[admin]

Re: Philips fridge/freezer – worth replacing seal? or gluin

Sorry, one final daft question – honest. The sealant I’ve got over from when I did my bathroom is called a ‘polymer sealant’ – is this the same as/as good as a silicone sealant. Presumably is also OK for having near food, as it can be used on kitchen worktops too…

Jon

[Author]

Posts