Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please help!

[ndes79]

Hi there, I’m new to this forum as I only just discovered it today.

I have a Whirlpool American Fridge/Freezer:-

Model: 3XART730GW00
Code: 856473001000

The fridge is not cooling properly and the freezer is not freezing but is quite cool inside. In addition to this, the plastic panel between the fridge and the freezer is becoming very hot at times and then cools right down again.

Can anyone help me with this? I have British Gas Homecare cover for this appliance but they have told me (without even dismantling the machine) that it is not possible to repair. I think they are trying to get out of fixing it!!

Hope someone can help me soon.

Thanks in advance.

Nicki.

[johnmac11]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

Pull off the black grille at floor level below the f/f doors and check and see if the condensor ( radiator ) is full of fluff. If so vacuum all the fluff out and see if that helps.

John

[ndes79]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

johnmac11 wrote:Pull off the black grille at floor level below the f/f doors and check and see if the condensor ( radiator ) is full of fluff. If so vacuum all the fluff out and see if that helps.

John

Hi John. Thanks for your reply.

At the front of the f/f or at the back? There is a white grille at the front and I’m assuming you mean that one?

Thanks again.

Nicki

[johnmac11]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

Yes that is the one, on most models the grille is black but I have saw a a couple of white versions.

John

[ndes79]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

johnmac11 wrote:Yes that is the one, on most models the grille is black but I have saw a a couple of white versions.

John

Thanks John.

Will try that and post results here.

Thanks again for your help – I just hope it works as I remember having the damn thing delivered and we had to remove a door frame in order for it to be brought in to the kitchen. If we need to replace it now that means removing the door frame again and we have just had the whole house refurbished!

The good thing is that the newer American Fridge Freezers are wide, taller, but less deep so they can fit through doors easily.

[ndes79]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

Right I pulled off the grille at the bottom and hoovered the little bits of fluff that were in the condenser.

Left the freezer and fridge both on full power for about 2 hours only to find that it hasn’t made the slightest bit of difference!

Looks like it is on its last legs and I have therefore been trawling the internet for a new one.

I have found this:-

http://www.ogormans.co.uk/admiral.htm

Sounds like a bargain at £679 – Admiral are a good make aren’t they?

Anyone have any comments? Would love to hear from you.

Thanks.

Nicki.

[ndes79]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

johnmac11 wrote:For the fluff to cause the problem the condensor would need to be choked solid so that discounts a fluff problem.

I think you should get somene out to take a look before you go splashing out on a new one, most if not all faults on this appliance would be worth fixing. Click on the link below for “Find an engineer” to get a local independant to look at it for you.

The F/F you have is built like a tank and is probably better than a lot of the new so called US fridge freezers on the market that are made in Europe and the far east. Buying a side by side for £679 is asking for trouble IMO.

John

Apparently Admirqal dont make FFs any more so I have looked at Maytag.

I’ve heard they are one of the best and have found one at £848. Sounds good eh?

[johnmac11]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

For the fluff to cause the problem the condensor would need to be choked solid so that discounts a fluff problem.

I think you should get somene out to take a look before you go splashing out on a new one, most if not all faults on this appliance would be worth fixing. Click on the link below for “Find an engineer” to get a local independant to look at it for you.

The F/F you have is built like a tank and is probably better than a lot of the new so called US fridge freezers on the market that are made in Europe and the far east. Buying a side by side for £679 is asking for trouble IMO.

John

[boggoff]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

i think the condencer cooling fan is not working this causes the centre divide between fridge and freezer doors to become hot its quite common on this model for the fan motor towear out

[ndes79]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

boggoff wrote:i think the condencer cooling fan is not working this causes the centre divide between fridge and freezer doors to become hot its quite common on this model for the fan motor towear out

Is this repairable?

[wizard]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

Sometimes frost free machines like yours get choked with ice in the freezer compartment impeding cold airflow (you won’t be able to see it because it will be behind the inside rear panel in the freezer) Excessive heat around the doors is an indication that the compressor is running flat out trying to reach temperature, as pipework from the compressor is run around the doors to stop condensation. The first part of the machine to suffer is the fridge, as cold air is blown from the freezer to cool the fridge. The solution is very simple. Switch off the machine completely for 48 hours. Any less time will not allow for all ice build up to melt. You may want to put a towel in the freezer to soak up any water. Switch machine back on and give it approx 12 hours to settle to a normal running temperature. Remember that nothing happens fast with refrigeration, so you must be patient ! This should cure the problem, however if it then re-occurs within a month or so it would suggest that a defost heater is faulty so call an engineer. I get lots of phone calls for frost free faults exactly like this and normally only get called back by the customer to say thanks machine now fine. Good Luck.

[mandiz]

I had the same problem with the same model. I was advised to remove also the bottom rear panel to locate the condenser cooling fan. When located the compressor was too hot to touch & the fan wasn’t spinning, so I swirled it & it has kept on going & the compressor & the centre front panel between the doors has cooled. This has seemed to cure my freezing problems & for the 1st time in months my icepack at the bottom of the freezer has frozen solid.

[gobezza]

Re: Whirlpool American F/F not cooling properly – please hel

What exactly did the British Gas engineer say was the problem, did he mention a gas leak at all?

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