US Fridge freezer

[nespressofan]

Hello! Our ancient US ff is tripping the electrics. I've switched fridge off and lekky is working fine so I know it's the culprit. Question is this - is it worth getting an electrician in or Whirlpool (hells bells - the cost!!!!), or throwing it out and starting again. Thank you.

if it is the fridge, you don't need an electrician. You might need an appliance engineer. More likely you need a skip.

If you are strong enough, pull it away from the wall. You will find a water dish on top of the motor. It will be full of water, fluff, filth and fungus. Is there any sign that it could have been dripping water onto any electrical part? Same with the ice dispenser/water chiller/plumbing if it has them. Examine the flex and visible wires (with the electricity unplugged or turned off at the consumer unit). Has any rodent been gnawing through the insulation?

Quite likely the motor is worn out and clogged with conductive carbon dust. In fridges and freezers the motor and compressor are sealed into a metal pressure case and it is impractical to try to repair them. They usually leak afterwards so repairers get the blame, so refuse to try.

What is written on the thing that trips? Is it an MCB marked "B32" or similar, or a wider RCD marked "80A 30mA" or similar with a test button?

Thanks John. Oh wow! So much info for a newly separated now single mum!!!! OK it is the ice maker that was all clogged up. Have got rid of all the accumulated ice (huge block) and it's still tripping. It is tripping the main switch: 80A 30mA RCD. Thanks for responding so quickly!!!

earth leakage fault; so probably water drips or the motor.

So in your opinion - chuck it out?

have a look for water drips or chewed insulation. If not that, you can if you want pay an engineer to come and look at it, he'll probably say, in the skip, but you can try. Open the door and let it dry out for a couple of days before plugging it back in.

I wouldn't spend much money trying to fix an old American FF that is already faulty. You can buy a nice big Euro FF for £400. I have two. They use much less electricity than the old appliances.

p.s.

if it is plumbed into the water pipes, disconnect or turn off that, and live without the icemaker. Just in case that was the cause. Earth leakage faults are most often water related.

I can't pull fridge out to look as it is built in to what I call the mausaleum. A huge oak piece of furniture encasing the fridge so can't be done. One last question - where did you get your Euro FF please? Thanks v much for your help. Much appreciated.

John Lewis.
I meant Euro-style cf. American-style

I have a Bosch and a Siemens, they are quite similar (and made by the same company). If you are not tall, you won't be able to reach the top shelf of a 2000mm one.

Frost free freezers are convenient, but usually more expensive, and go wrong more often. Ordinary freezers have very little that can go wrong.

All my other appliances are Bosch or Siemens so I'll go with that. Thank you so much for your help and so late at night. Thanks again!