Zanussi ZBB27540SA-freezer good but not fridge

[Hugh Cressingham]

Hi

I understand this issue could be evaporator fan related. (No cold air circulating in fridge). Have switched off for 24 hours but no cigar. Does this sound like fan motor knackered? If so, is it fairly accessible on this model? This is integrated, can’t see any obvious removable panels or screws in either fridge or freezer.

Many thanks.

 

[JohnD]

The duct between freezer and fridge often gets blocked with accumulated ice. You can't see it because it is behind the back wall. To melt it all out, you have to empty both parts, and leave the doors open for af least 24 hours. When the ice is melting, you will see it dripping or pooling inside the cabinets, or into the evaporation dish round the back, on top of the motor.

Because the ice is inside the duct, it is protected and takes a long time to melt.

Leave the doors open until the dripping stops.

If you turn it back on before all the ice has melted out, you have wasted your time.

 

[Hugh Cressingham]

The duct between freezer and fridge often gets blocked with accumulated ice. You can't see it because it is behind the back wall. To melt it all out, you have to empty both parts, and leave the doors open for af least 24 hours. When the ice is melting, you will see it dripping or pooling inside the cabinets, or into the evaporation dish round the back, on top of the motor.

Because the ice is inside the duct, it is protected and takes a long time to melt.

Leave the doors open until the dripping stops.

If you turn it back on before all the ice has melted out, you have wasted your time.

Thanks. Haven’t been monitoring 24/7 but haven’t seen or heard a scintilla of dripping/pooling. How would I see dripping into the “evaporation dish around the back? Looks like I’ll have repeat the last 24 hours.

 

[JohnD]

You'd have to pull it away from the wall. In some cases the motor and the dish are visible, and you can clean it out, in some cases it is concealed behind panelling.

When the machine defrosts itself, or collects condensation from the gutter in the fridge cabinet, the water drains through a small tube into this dish, and the heat from the motor dries it out. It tends to hold a sludge of old kitchen dust, and sometimes food fragments from the fridge, so I like to clean it.

If you have been defrosting it with the doors open, some of the ice should have melted, and the water run out somewhere, unless the ducts are still blocked solid with ice, which can happen. When completely blocked, warm air cannot circulate, nor water run out, so defrosting is very slow.

 

[Hugh Cressingham]

You'd have to pull it away from the wall. In some cases the motor and the dish are visible, and you can clean it out, in some cases it is concealed behind panelling.

When the machine defrosts itself, or collects condensation from the gutter in the fridge cabinet, the water drains through a small tube into this dish, and the heat from the motor dries it out. It tends to hold a sludge of old kitchen dust, and sometimes food fragments from the fridge, so I like to clean it.

Thanks again. The problem is access. I guess I need to disconnect unit from cupboard etc.

 

[JohnD]

With luck, once you get it fully clean the self-defrost will prevent it blocking again. If it blocks again within a year, it is probably beyond economic repair.

Excess frosting can be caused by accidentally leaving the door open, or by worn or damaged door seals allowing humid air to enter.

 

[Hugh Cressingham]

Thanks. Just a pain the butt removing all those screws etc.