4 replies to this topic

[Susan]

First of all, this is one great website, both informative and entertaining.

I bought an Amana bottom freezer refrigerator several months ago, model #ABB192DEW.  A few weeks after purchase I began noticing a noise it would make shortly after cycling on.  It lasts 15 seconds or so then stops, although I can periodically hear it while the refrigerator is running.  I think it’s coming from the top or back of the freezer compartment.  Best I can describe it would be a creaky clicky sound - like something is turning or moving and could benefit from a dose of household oil.  The Sears repairman said it was a normal operating noise that had something to do with the new refrigerant that’s being used in the refrigerators now, although he was unable to explain why I didn’t hear it during the first few weeks I had it.  One other thing I’ve noticed - if I happen to have the freezer open at the time the refrigerator cycles on, I may hear this mysterious sound for only for a few seconds, if at all.  Whatever it is, it’s driving me nuts, as it has gotten louder over time.  Other than that, everything seems to be working fine so far.  Any advice?    Thank you. 

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Howdy! The noise with your fridge is going to be one of two things, one benign, the other malignant.

The Benign: The compressor's high pressure line is vibrating against the frame or something else in that cramped compresor compartment. Ain't no thang.

The Malignant: Compressor valve clatter. This is a progressively deteriorating condition that ultimately results in compressor failure. Thank the pot-bellied Buddah that you have a 5 year warranty on that bad boy.

One is Holy, One is Guacamole. Which is Which? Good question. To answer it, you'll need to drop the rear service panel and locate the source of the noise visually. Unplug the fridge, drop the rear panel, plug the fridge back in. Piece of pie, comrade!

[denrayr]

some fridges have a problem of when they first turn on you will hear a sound like you describe what you are hearing is the freon boiling in the cap. tube as the pressure builds the freon will boil in the evaperator where it is supposed to. frigidaire had a bulletin on this a while ago, their fix was to add a small amount of dry nitrogen. what this does is add more volume to the freon forcing the refrigerant to boil in the evap from the start.

 what does this all mean. well without actually listening to it in person i dont know if this is your problem. but if this is all it is then you have nothing to worry about.

[ApplianceTech]

Is the refrigerator cooling properly? If not a cap-tube separation comes to mind. Of course this isn't an issue on refrigerators with a coaxial heat exchanger. Could possibly be the cap-tube clanging against the suction line. Hard to diagnose this one though without pulling the refrigerator away from the wall.

[Susan]

Seems to be cooling fine.  It's just very irritating to listen to each time the fridge comes on.  Guess I'll print off the suggestions I received and hire someone other than Sears to come take a look.