Help My Fridge to Keep Its Cool
November 3, 2019 11:20 AM Subscribe
My refrigerator began to run loudly a few days ago. Should I try to fix this, and if so, how?
When the 2012 refrigerator in the rented basement apartment of my house malfunctioned a few years back, the first symptom was that it began running very noisily -- I would hear it myself through the closed apartment door when I went down to the basement laundry room. Sometime after that (can't recall whether it was a few months or a few weeks later), my tenants reported that the fridge wasn't keeping their food cold enough to prevent spoilage for more than a few days. I called a repair person in and he replaced the fridge's fan for $300+.
Now the 2002 refrigerator in my own kitchen has begun running loudly, though it is still functionally fine otherwise. Should I be proactive and do repairs ASAP in order to prevent a total breakdown/food spoilage, or is there some reason I should wait until the problem becomes more clearly defined? And if I should go ahead with the repairs... can I do the repairs myself for under $300? What parts would need replacing? My research tells me it might be the evaporator fan motor I need to replace... is that correct?
My refrigerator is a Maytag Peforma, and the serial number seems to be PTB1551GRW. I already know of a business in Toronto that sells every kind of appliance part and has super helpful repair videos on their website, so no need to advise on where to get replacement parts.
When the 2012 refrigerator in the rented basement apartment of my house malfunctioned a few years back, the first symptom was that it began running very noisily -- I would hear it myself through the closed apartment door when I went down to the basement laundry room. Sometime after that (can't recall whether it was a few months or a few weeks later), my tenants reported that the fridge wasn't keeping their food cold enough to prevent spoilage for more than a few days. I called a repair person in and he replaced the fridge's fan for $300+.
Now the 2002 refrigerator in my own kitchen has begun running loudly, though it is still functionally fine otherwise. Should I be proactive and do repairs ASAP in order to prevent a total breakdown/food spoilage, or is there some reason I should wait until the problem becomes more clearly defined? And if I should go ahead with the repairs... can I do the repairs myself for under $300? What parts would need replacing? My research tells me it might be the evaporator fan motor I need to replace... is that correct?
My refrigerator is a Maytag Peforma, and the serial number seems to be PTB1551GRW. I already know of a business in Toronto that sells every kind of appliance part and has super helpful repair videos on their website, so no need to advise on where to get replacement parts.
17 years is exactly the average age for a refrigerator. I wouldn't put much money in it.
posted by tmdonahue at 12:06 PM on November 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by tmdonahue at 12:06 PM on November 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
You can also make dure the drain isn't frozen or clogged (it can sometimes cause ice to build up and impede the fan.)
Find the upper drain tube and run extremely hot water through it. It only costs your time and effort to unload enough to clearly access the drain. May not help but quick to see. Also make sure stuff isn't too jammed to the back.
posted by mightshould at 12:38 PM on November 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
Find the upper drain tube and run extremely hot water through it. It only costs your time and effort to unload enough to clearly access the drain. May not help but quick to see. Also make sure stuff isn't too jammed to the back.
posted by mightshould at 12:38 PM on November 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
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But if "running loudly" means it's making normal fridge noises but more frequently / longer than normal, then that suggest the refrigeration isn't working effectively, and provided the fan is turning OK then the issue is elsewhere.
posted by automatronic at 11:47 AM on November 3, 2019