Bosch Fridge Freezer - Making a terrible noise!

[rmed]

Hi there, hope someone out there will be able to help...

We have a Bosch frost-free fridge freezer (KGU32124GB) which is approx 5 years old. It seems to be working fine, keeping things cold as it should, apart from the fact it has started to make a horrendous noise!

The noise isn't constant - it seems to happen once or twice an hour, and will last a minute or two. It's pretty loud, and we've eventually worked out (by disconnecting other more accessible parts to rule them out) that it is coming from the back of the appliance, low down, in the middle of the back of the freezer compartment. Have taken a quick vid so you can hear it, which you can view at the following link:

http://vimeo.com/29528172

We reckon we may be in need of a new motor. If someone knows about these things, and could confirm what they think is causing the problem and if it's worth tackling it before calling in the experts, that would be MUCH appreciated. Or is it new fridge freezer time for us?

Thanks for reading all - much appreciated.

R

 

[big-all]

first thing is always defrost for 24hrs incase off ice build up
you should defrost 2 times a year if you have any problems

 

[rmed]

Thanks for that - there's no obvious ice build up in the freezer compartment itself, so do you think it could be ice-build up around the motor? Is this serious?

 

[big-all]

there is a void behind the compartments to transfer the icy air without contact
if the ice build up in the void is large the cold air cannot circulate freely and cause excessive running off the compressor causing more ice build up
turn you fridge to minimum but dont unplug so the heater elements in the void can work and give it 24 hours dont be tempted after 8 as the void could still be full off ice

 

[rmed]

Ok - this model lets me turn the freezer off and keep the fridge running (and vice-versa) - so if I tried that over 24 hours, do you think that be enough to allow any build-up to defrost? (Am thinking about minimising food-spoil - daft when the racket this thing is making is keeping us from sleep!)

Really appreciate your help, thanks

 

[big-all]

you need to remove the food if its your only freezer then you put the food on a quilt /carpet cover with further quilts and blankets with the fridge stuff on top or in a cool box but do not unwrap untill ready to reinsert into the freezer
you can place warm water in basins and big dishes in the fridge and freezer and change every hour or so to speed it up by perhaps 8 hrs but you need to keep changing the hot water frequently

 

[rmed]

Hello again,

Well, the fridge freezer has spent 24 hours switched off - turned it back on again this morning, and unfortunately the noise is still there. Didn't notice any water coming out over the weekend, so it looks like ice build up wasn't the problem after all.

Any ideas where we go from here?

 

[big-all]

i am afraid i am out off ideas as a humble chippy lol
zipper 'sleepy head or one off the other good people may have a better idea ??

 

[rmed]

Fingers crossed they'll spot this thread!

Thanks for your help so far anyway - was def worth a try (even just to rule ice out of the equation)