Contents
If the motor-compressor breaks down, a master is called to replace the part. In this case, many are confused by the question of cost – the compressor itself is not cheap, and you also need to pay for repairs, the price of which can be several thousand rubles. If you manage to replace the motor yourself, it is enough to find out how much a new compressor costs and not overpay for repairs. Armed with detailed instructions and the necessary tools, you can temporarily become a repairman for your own refrigerator.
We will describe below how the motor-compressor and oil in it are replaced.
Compressor replacement: what to consider, causes and symptoms, work procedure
To replace the motor, you need to thoroughly know the principle of operation of the refrigerator, be able to correctly diagnose the breakdown, paying attention to the signs. Before work, familiarize yourself with the device of the equipment, the main causes of engine failure and their symptoms.
How does a refrigerator work
It can be roughly divided into three main parts:
- evaporator;
- capacitor;
- compressor (consists of motor and relay).
If one of them does not function, and the remaining nodes are working, the refrigerator’s performance is still lost.
The system is characterized by closed parameters. Freon is pumped from the evaporator by the compressor, after which it passes under high pressure into the condenser, where it is cooled, turns from a gas into a liquid and goes back to the evaporator. This is a continuous cycle of operation of refrigeration equipment.
Unlike other parts, the motor is always on. It starts after a signal from a temperature sensor, which reports an increase in temperature in the chambers. The relay starts the motor to start cooling the compartments. When the set temperature is reached, the relay is activated and the motor stalls.
How to check the health of the electric motor
The first sign by which a breakdown can be determined is a temperature jump in the main chamber. It can be so warm in there that all the food will go bad. There are other signs of failure of the main part of the refrigerator:
- ice has grown on the walls (especially true for models with the No Frost function);
- the motor hums, but does not produce cold, there is no refrigerant leak;
- clicks, rattling and other extraneous sounds are heard: noise, rattle, vibration.
- the motor runs continuously without stopping;
- food in the chambers freezes too much.
Resistance and voltage test
Sometimes a cable or a broken wiring is to blame for a breakdown, so before starting repair work, you need to measure the resistance in order to protect yourself from injury.
To check the resistance, find a place where there is no paint. If there are no such places, wipe off the coating with a solvent. Take the tester and attach its probes to the body and contact. If nothing is displayed, then the device is working, and if there are numbers on the multimeter screen, it is very dangerous to repair the compressor at home. If you decide to work with such a compressor, be extremely careful.
To check the current, make sure the start relay is working. Take a multimeter with tongs – it is more convenient to check with such a device. If the motor power is, for example, 140 W, the measuring device should show a current of 1,3 A. The ratio of these indicators is the same if the motor power is different.
Why Compressor Breaks
Breakdowns can be classified into two groups:
- Everything at first glance works fine – the compressor is buzzing, the light is on. In this case, a refrigerant leak may be relevant, and you can check it yourself – touch the condenser. If it’s hot, then there really is a leak.
- The temperature regulator is broken, so if the chamber is warm, there is no signal about it.
If the equipment does not work at all, in every fifth case the motor is to blame. If this is not the case, it is worth checking the relay and temperature sensor. When they fail, they need to be replaced. If there are no failures in the operation of parts, the motor is to blame, and it needs to be replaced.
It is difficult to replace this part without the help of a master, but it is possible. Read on for how to do this.
Compressor replacement: step by step instructions
Before you get started, prepare the tools:
- accumulator for freon gas;
- valves (needed for puncture and selection);
- burner.
Important! It is worth giving preference to an oxygen-propane burner.
To replace the compressor in the refrigerator “Ariston”, “Indesit”, “Atlant”, “Stinol” or any other, proceed as follows:
- Slide the compressor forward and lift it up.
- Break the fill tube.
- Run the appliance for a 5-minute period, during which time the refrigerant will fully pass into the condenser.
- Connect the puncture valve and connect the cylinder hose to it.
- Unscrew the valve for half a minute – this will be enough to bleed all the freon.
- Instead of a filling tube, solder using a torch or a soldering iron, a new one – copper.
- Cut the capillary dilator a couple of centimeters, break the tube.
- Unsolder the filter drier from the condenser.
- Remove all pipes from the compressor. Usually there are only two of them – to create pressure and to remove excess freon.
- Installing a new motor is carried out in the same way as dismantling – in the reverse order.
- After installation work, check the operation of the relay.
- Start the refrigerator: if it starts to freeze, then everything is done correctly.
Watch the video to get it right:
How to change compressor oil
If after replacing the compressor or relay it turned out that there is not enough oil in the system, then you need to replace or add it. Before draining, changing or refilling oil, you should consult with an experienced craftsman.
When else do you need an oil fill? We decided to consider this issue within the framework of this publication, because there are times when oil is not filled in a new engine, then you have to do it yourself.
Important! If the compressor does not turn off after replacement, the charging technology has been violated. Strictly follow the instructions when working with technical fluids.
Useful Tips
- The container with new oil must not be opened until it is used.
- Buy liquid in containers of such a volume that it is enough for one gas station, otherwise you will have to interrupt the process and buy more.
- Do not transfer oil from one bottle to another and do not mix oils even of the same brand.
- When removing used oil, work using PPE – goggles, rubber or neoprene gloves. This is due to the fact that the oil may contain acidic impurities.
- To understand how much oil is needed for an old compressor, be guided by the amount of fluid drained.
What you need:
- Vacuum pump;
- filling hose with shut-off valve and screw type connection;
- pressure gauge.
Replacement process
- Vacuum the system.
- Close the service valves on the motor.
- Connect the vacuum pump to one of the valves.
- Lower the compressor pressure to the minimum (about 0,1 bar). Stop the pump.
- Unscrew the oil plug on the compressor and screw on the charging hose with shut-off valve.
- Open the suction valve and let the freon into the compressor to slightly increase the pressure. Close the valve.
- Open the shut-off valve on the charge hose to bleed air.
- Open the oil can and dip the tip of the hose into the container until it reaches the bottom.
- Close shut-off valve. Start the vacuum pump again.
- After the pressure in the motor drops below atmospheric, carefully unscrew the shut-off valve. Now you can fill the compressor with oil.
- To determine its level, monitor the filling through the viewing window on the motor.
- Close shut-off valve.
- Stop the pump and apply a slight positive pressure by adjusting the opening of the suction valve.
- Remove the charging hose. Screw on the oil plug.
The video below will help you better understand the refueling process:
This filling method ensures that there is no moisture or air in the system. There is a possibility of a minor refrigerant leak, which can be repaired with the right tools.
Important! When refueling, make sure that the oil container does not empty to the bottom, otherwise air will enter the system. If a precedent has occurred, then the oil fill plug is closed, and the system is evacuated.
If the oil needs to be topped up, it’s easier to do so. Use for this purpose oil syringe. Do not be afraid that air will enter the system when the oil plug is opened, this is excluded.
If you have an oil pump, then use it – it doses oil filling without reference to the pressure in the engine.
How long does the refrigerator last after compressor replacement? It all depends on the care and accuracy of your work. If your Liebherr, Samsung or any refrigerator is broken, you know how to replace the compressor and refill the oil. If this job seems difficult to you, play it safe and call a mechanic.