Even the most modern and expensive models of refrigerators can hardly be called absolutely silent. But if clicks, a knock when turning on / off, or other uncharacteristic sounds join the measured buzz of the unit, this device gives a signal that it is time to arrange an inspection with a possible replacement of worn parts.
You will learn all about why the refrigerator is knocking and how to get rid of noise, from our article. We described in detail the causes of extraneous sounds and methods of dealing with them. Refrigeration equipment will not bother, given our advice.
Easily removable causes of noise
If a knock is heard in a technique that has been working faithfully for more than one year, the most likely reason the master calls the compressor breakdown.
But if we are talking about a new refrigerator, the problem may lie simply in grinding in new parts or improper operation of the unit. Therefore, before calling a repair technician, make sure that you cannot get rid of the noise yourself.
No. 1 - improper installation or operation
The simplest and most common reason that a working refrigerator makes a knock and other uncharacteristic sounds is not a fairly even base.
Even if it seems visually that the device is installed correctly, the check will not hurt, because due to the uneven floor, one of the legs of the unit can only come into contact with the surface, or even just hang in the air. This makes the whole housing vibrate when the engine is running.
To check the evenness, you can use the horizontal building level, putting it on the "roof" of the unit. A simple plumb line of a strong thread and a small weight, such as a nut, will help replace the tool.
Almost all modern refrigerators are equipped with height-adjustable legs on the thread, with which you can correctly set the level
Another source of sound may be a compressor in contact with other metal parts when skewed. Also, pipes bent during transportation of the device may emit a knock. In this case, you need to carefully bend the elements or put rubber pads to eliminate contact.
If the refrigerator has been working for a long time and suddenly began to make various noises, first of all check the temperature inside its chambers. Does the device freeze properly, and nothing of force majeure, except for unusual knocks and rattles, was found?
Perhaps the reason for the increased noise lies in overloaded shelves or in the arrangement of the products themselves - pots, cans and other hard containers can touch and knock on each other when starting or turning off the motor.
Try to completely free the unit from the stocks placed inside it, including items on the roof of the case. If the noise has disappeared - the issue is resolved.
The reason for incomprehensible sounds during the operation of the refrigerator may be unevenly installed or insufficiently tightly fixed shelves inside the unit - they also need to be checked for horizontal / vertical
But if during inspection other malfunctions are found, for example, broken lights, snow or obvious “shortage” of temperature indicators, most likely, it will be necessary to inspect and replace failed parts.
No. 2 - loose compressor mount
If the refrigerator has just “moved” to your place of permanent residence, make sure that the transportation bolts or other fasteners that secure the compressor are removed before switching on.
However, such protection is not provided for all models, so it is not out of place to look into the instructions and study recommendations about the first start of the refrigerator.
With the transport bolts, the compressor is firmly fixed to the casing so as not to shake the pipe or refrigerator case
If the situation is the opposite - the refrigerator has been working for a long time in a constant place and suddenly began to knock, perhaps the mounting fasteners that hold the compressor have loosened, or the rubber gaskets have worn out.
Such a problem is not uncommon for older models where springs are used, and if the compressor is skewed, when turned on / off, its casing will knock on the case, rocking the refrigerator. Repair measures here are simple - the springs should be tightened or replaced, the bolts tightened, the gaskets updated.
To make sure that the noise source lies precisely in the loose mounts, just put your hand on a running motor, and if the knock stops, try tightening the mounting screws
To align the position of the suspension, you need:
- Unscrew the fixing screws and dismantle the condenser - this is if it interferes with the inspection of the compressor.
- Check the annular gap between the rubber sleeve of the frame and the support of the casing - it should be uniform.
- If a discrepancy is found, unscrew the screws securing the springs to the frame half a turn and adjust the degree of tension to achieve the same clearance around the entire perimeter of the part.
- After that, you can turn on the device, check its position by slightly swaying and, if everything is in order, reinstall the capacitor.
A knock may appear due to an object stuck behind the condenser tubes located on the rear wall of the unit, because for many owners the roof of the device is used as a convenient shelf for storing all kinds of small things.
Therefore, carefully inspect the elements, and if a foreign element is detected - remove, but at the same time, and check whether the tubes are in contact with the refrigerator body.
Failure of individual parts
In addition to improper installation and other easily fixed problems, knocking or clicking in the refrigerator can signal a malfunction in its component parts.
And although the deteriorated compressor is recognized as the leader in breakdowns, other details of the refrigerator can also be a source of incomprehensible sounds. Consider the most common fault options.
Breakdown # 1 - Fan Malfunction
If a layer of frost freezes in the fan area, the spinning blades will touch the ice, and the refrigerator will make various clicks and rattle. When snow or pieces of ice get from a frozen evaporator, there is also a knock.
In case of insufficient air circulation, the fan wheel will rotate continuously to minimize the temperature level in the refrigerator compartment
There may be several reasons for the increased production of snow.
Improper temperature setting. To speed up the freezing of products or to cook dishes with gelatin, mistresses often switch the cooling control to the maximum, and then forget to transfer to the medium mark.
Inadequate ventilation. If the room is too hot, for example, in the summer season or with active cooking, when both the stove and the oven work. Either the appliance is too close to a wall or a radiator, the compressor will run continuously, forcing cold.
Leaky door. At the refrigerator, especially the old one, the seal is drying up over time or containers with products do not allow to completely isolate it from the external environment.
In any case, if warm air continuously enters the device from the room, ice will quickly appear on the heater, and the motor will run to wear, trying to achieve the required temperature values.
Evaporator Failure. Such a breakdown is often found in NoFrost refrigerator models. And when the evaporator is covered with ice, air stops circulating, forcing fans to work continuously.
The first step is to completely defrost the appliance (at least 10 hours), check the set temperature, the tightness of the door, and ventilation gaps. In addition, it does not hurt to renew the grease in the fan bearings - it dries out over time.
It is also worth checking the condition of the impeller electric motor winding - during prolonged uninterrupted operation, it may burn out and require replacement. And only after that reconnect the unit to the mains.
Modern refrigerators have a display on the control panel, which displays information about the temperature in various compartments of the device, and when a breakdown occurs, a hint with an error code is displayed
If the noise disappears, but appears again after a few days, the problem is most likely in the icy evaporator. And to inspect the part, you need to remove the inner panel in the back wall of the refrigerator, which protects its structural elements.
The nuances of disassembly should be indicated in the instructions. But also the cause of the problem could be refrigerant leakage or clogging of the capillary tube. In the first case, the place of damage to the pipeline through which the working medium circulates should be determined, sealed and filled with freon.
In the second, you need to clean the channel intended for condensate to drain into the receiver organized for it. Cleaning is carried out mechanically using the device available in the majority of drip refrigerators, or by washing using household chemicals.
Snow coat, ice on the back of the refrigerator or its parts is a signal that should not be ignored, because it can lead to serious damage
If this does not help, it is better to turn off the device and call the wizard for diagnostics. If the refrigerator continues to work, the compressor or fan may fail, and repairs will cost several times more.
Failure # 2 - motor-compressor malfunction
The heart of the refrigerator is hidden on the back of the appliance. The compressor's task is to pressurize so that the vaporous refrigerant enters the condenser, cooling the chambers.
Then, heating the freon turns into a liquid, enters the evaporator and returns to the starting point again. If any malfunction violates this cycle, the refrigerator will not freeze.
The most common motor compressors are oil, they visually represent a small metal tank, painted black
If the compressor breaks down, clicks and knocks will be heard - this starting relay unsuccessfully tries to start the motor. In this case, it is better to turn off the refrigerator before repairing or replacing a worn part.
True, most masters do not undertake to disassemble and repair a dead compressor, but they will immediately recommend changing it to a similar model. After all, even if you manage to reanimate the motor, it can break again at any time.
If everything is not so obvious, and the device works, but with interruptions, clicks and knocking, failure of the motor bearings or wear of the cylinder seal can occur. But since the engine with the compressor is enclosed in a sealed enclosure, they do not disassemble it, but simply replace the device with a new one.
It is quite difficult to carry out such repairs on your own, because in addition to the appropriate skills, professional tools will also be needed: an oxygen-propane burner, a refrigerant storage and a piercing valve
Replace as follows:
- The refrigerator is disconnected from the mains, freed from food and thawed.
- The compressor must be extended, lifted and broken into the filling tube. Then the engine starts for a few minutes so that the refrigerant is completely transferred to the condenser.
- Now, with the help of a piercing valve, the hose of the sampling cylinder is connected and gas is collected. The substance is explosive, therefore work is recommended to be carried out with an open window.
- The filling tube is replaced by a copper one and soldered with a torch, and if not, with a soldering iron.
- Then you need to make an incision in a couple of centimeters on the capillary expander, break off the tube with nippers and solder the filter from the condenser.
- After that, the compressor is completely disconnected from other pipes and the housing itself. Typically, there are two tubes - for removing excess gas and forcing pressure.
It remains to replace the new heart of the refrigerator, repeat the steps in the reverse order and carry out a test run.
Knock Prevention Tips
In order for the device to work without unnecessary acoustic accompaniment, do not ignore the rules of its operation and installation recommendations.
Take the time to check the levelness of the floor in the place under the refrigerator. In advanced cases, it is easier to use a strong substrate than to try to align the position with legs.
For the refrigerator door to close independently by the principle of an automatic closer, raise the front legs to a height of 1-1.5 cm
Practical advice:
- Determine the right place for the refrigerator - with a minimum distance of 50 cm from the battery, oven and stove. It is also undesirable for direct sunlight to fall on the unit from the window - there is no need for additional heating of the case.
- Between the wall and the rear wall of the device, a gap of at least 10 cm is required.
- Do not use the appliance lid as a storehouse for various items and do not try to install a microwave on such a convenient shelf - such “neighbors” significantly reduce the life of the unit.
- Adjust the internal shelves and drawers according to the level to a height convenient for you and correctly distribute the products and containers inside the chambers.
- Do not turn on the modes with fast freezing and the lowest possible cooling temperature for a long time, especially in the hot season.
And the last obvious, but so rarely performed advice - defrost your refrigerator on time, without waiting for plentiful snow growths and ice.
If the measures to eliminate the knock did not lead to the desired result, the cause of the malfunction is a serious breakdown. How to repair the refrigerator is described in detail in the next article. We recommend useful information to both independent home craftsmen and customers of the services of craftsmen from service centers to control the work.
To understand in more detail the sound representation that a refrigerator can arrange and eliminate possible breakdowns, we suggest studying our selection of video materials.
What sounds can a refrigerator make?
What to do if an uncharacteristic noise is heard from the device:
Dismantling and repair of refrigeration units with NoFrost system:
How to replace a failed compressor with your own hands:
If you are poorly guided in the device of the refrigerator, and simple methods for eliminating possible problems did not help to cope with extraneous sounds, it is better to call the repair technician. This will cost less than independent experiments.
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