Just moved into my condo and it came with a Kenmore fridge. Not sure of the age but I'd say within ten years.
The first issue is that when the compressor turns off it rattles pretty bad for a second or two.
The second issue is that about every other day I have a few ounces of water on one of the shelves in the fridge part. There is a plastic piece on the "ceiling" of the fridge part that looks like it has cracked, possibly from ice expansion.
Any clues on these two issues?
Is the unit worth repairing or should I start saving now for a replacement?
Also, what are some basic guidelines for the costs associated with appliance repairs? That is, service fee for showing up, parts, labor, etc?
Thanks in advance to the people that know what they're doing when they give an answer.
Anonymous2012-01-24T08:39:19Z
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On your first issue it sounds like the rubber washers on your compressor mounts are wore out. Those should be easily replaced. On the second issue your drain hose on the back of your freezer compartment is clogged and water is dripping into the lower compartment when the frig goes into defrost. This is not such an easy repair. The covers in the freezer compartment will have to be removed. The bottom and back. Clean out the ice and unclog the line which is going to be frozen. I use a heat gun and a small dia. wire and push it through the drain line. This is sometimes difficult because of a bend in the first part of the line. I have also found a clog in the bottom of the drain line which means taking the lower back off. That you will have to do anyway to replace the rubber mounts on the compressor. Good Luck.
First thing I would have to say is that unless the fridge is a complex, high dollar model, it is almost never worth it to get a fridge serviced (unless under warranty). You're gonna pay a company at least 50-100 dollars an hour for service plus parts and tax. Plus, most residential refrigerators aren't exactly serviceable, at least as far as the refrigeration system goes.
The water your finding could be from the evap coil freezing up and that is the ice melt. This could be happening for a few different reasons, but whatever the cause may be, the effect is the compressor has a rough time. The sound you're hearing could be the pistons banging against the shell as the compressor spins down, indicating that the compressor is on it's way to failing.
Like I said, however, it's really not worth it to call a repair company on a normal, household fridge.
When the compressor makes noise it means it is going bad. And the refrigerator is 10 years old. A new one is needed. Refrigerators do not last for years like they did years ago.