Removing Fridge to Gain Access for Repairs (e.g., replacing components, testing for refrigerant leaks, etc.)
Issue: The black metal box housing the compressor and condenser does not give much room to work.
Also, the refrigerant lines run on the inside of the black metal box and outside corner of plastic fridge, and cannot be easily tested for leaks.
Solution: One solution is to remove the fridge, and then separate the plastic box from the black metal box. If you keep the two boxes close together, you may not have to remove the flat evaporator (held in place with plastic two piece push pin rivets)
The black metal box is open on the top and the front side (removable screwed front panel), so you'll have easier access to all the components. The screws holding the black metal box to the plastic fridge box nearest the closet are inaccessible without removing the fridge.
Confusing Instructions: The Repair Manual CD is a bit confusing on how to remove the fridge. It seems to suggest removing the cabinet and fridge together. In other instructions, it seems to suggest removing the plastic white box piece from the black metal box base by disconnecting the flat evaporator and temperature sensor from the plastic fridge portion. There is also a photograph of the rear of the cabinet and fridge together, with bolts holding the cabinet and fridge together on the closet wall side.
Alternative Removal Steps (Not tried yet):
Please correct any alternative facts.
1. Remove the cabinet.
There are lots of threads on how to do this in this subforum. The Repair Manual CD is helpful but also confusing.
There are screws in the middle partition of the cabinet which screw into the fridge (an angle piece).
2. Fridge Alone.
With the cabinet gone, you should see the fridge in three layers.
The first layer is the white plastic fridge box.
The second layer is the black metal box. The black metal box has flanges on its top and screws into the white plastic box. Half the screws are inaccessible (nearest the closet). Also, the refrigerant lines and temperature sensor wire go to both boxes.
The third layer is the plain metal base which is glued with thick white rubbery stuff to the floor. There are two (2) bolts which go through the top.of this base and into the bottom of the black metal box.
Note: You'll.remove the white laminate piece held by four screws onto the bottom of the black metal.box front panel. The white laminate piece covers the third layer.
3. Unbolt Two (2) Bolts and Fridge is Free.
If correct, the fridge is free after removing the two bolts. You will leave the third layer base in place, and have no reason to cut the white rubbery stuff.
Pick up fridge and move to workshop.
4. Separate the white plastic box from black metal box by unscrewing the screws in the black metal box flanges.
Take care with the refrigerant lines. The corner of the white plastic box has a piece of retaining plastic held in place with plastic two piece push pin rivets.
Issue: The black metal box housing the compressor and condenser does not give much room to work.
Also, the refrigerant lines run on the inside of the black metal box and outside corner of plastic fridge, and cannot be easily tested for leaks.
Solution: One solution is to remove the fridge, and then separate the plastic box from the black metal box. If you keep the two boxes close together, you may not have to remove the flat evaporator (held in place with plastic two piece push pin rivets)
The black metal box is open on the top and the front side (removable screwed front panel), so you'll have easier access to all the components. The screws holding the black metal box to the plastic fridge box nearest the closet are inaccessible without removing the fridge.
Confusing Instructions: The Repair Manual CD is a bit confusing on how to remove the fridge. It seems to suggest removing the cabinet and fridge together. In other instructions, it seems to suggest removing the plastic white box piece from the black metal box base by disconnecting the flat evaporator and temperature sensor from the plastic fridge portion. There is also a photograph of the rear of the cabinet and fridge together, with bolts holding the cabinet and fridge together on the closet wall side.
Alternative Removal Steps (Not tried yet):
Please correct any alternative facts.
1. Remove the cabinet.
There are lots of threads on how to do this in this subforum. The Repair Manual CD is helpful but also confusing.
There are screws in the middle partition of the cabinet which screw into the fridge (an angle piece).
2. Fridge Alone.
With the cabinet gone, you should see the fridge in three layers.
The first layer is the white plastic fridge box.
The second layer is the black metal box. The black metal box has flanges on its top and screws into the white plastic box. Half the screws are inaccessible (nearest the closet). Also, the refrigerant lines and temperature sensor wire go to both boxes.
The third layer is the plain metal base which is glued with thick white rubbery stuff to the floor. There are two (2) bolts which go through the top.of this base and into the bottom of the black metal box.
Note: You'll.remove the white laminate piece held by four screws onto the bottom of the black metal.box front panel. The white laminate piece covers the third layer.
3. Unbolt Two (2) Bolts and Fridge is Free.
If correct, the fridge is free after removing the two bolts. You will leave the third layer base in place, and have no reason to cut the white rubbery stuff.
Pick up fridge and move to workshop.
4. Separate the white plastic box from black metal box by unscrewing the screws in the black metal box flanges.
Take care with the refrigerant lines. The corner of the white plastic box has a piece of retaining plastic held in place with plastic two piece push pin rivets.
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