Fridge/Freezer Help Needed

[mwrpoole]

Please help!

In trying to knock some ice out of the freezer I've managed to crack the inside and caused a gas leak. Didn't notice at first but then a couple of hours later the smell built up and closer inspection shows what I've done.

Been ringing around most of the day but can only get 'we'll send an engineer to see what the damage is' with a call out charge, which is fine but they can't tell me whether they can fix it or not.

What I want to know is:

1. can it be repaired or is it terminal;
2. is it dangerous or can it still be used until repaired/replaced. I've switched it off for now.

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[firemandan]

chill out mate

 

[edna krabappel]

Punctured a hole on the inside of my fridge.. a lot of gas was released.. couple questions? - Yahoo! Answers

 

[skipper734]

Don't listen to Dan, and whatever you do don't invite him round if you have a Wife or Girlfriend on the premises.
If it catches fire your'l have to take the risk.

 

[Muhammed - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

your appliance will have a limited supply of 'gas' or as we call it in the trade refrigerant. once its all vented out of the appliance...its gone.
if the 'gas' in it is R134a, and i am doing a re-gas, it is collected into a vessel.
if the 'gas' is R600 it will still be collected, but a lot of fridge engineers will let this vent into the atmosphere.

running the appliance with no refrigerant in is totally harmless, but a total waste of time as all you are doing is getting the compressor to pump air round. in short..it will do nothing but make a tinny noise.
it is IMPOSSIBLE to tell over the phone if it is repairable, which is why the repair people you spoke to may have been a bit vague, but i suspect if it is, the price will be restrictive.
sounds like you need (at best) a new evaporater.
a lot depends on where you have punctured the pipework.
if you were chipping ice off, i suspect you have a conventional fridge freezer as opposed to a frost free one.
repairing this would be a waste of time IMO.

for future reference, dont chip....use a steam cleaner.
hope this helps

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Do you have accidental damage on your home contents insurance ?

 

[mwrpoole]

your appliance will have a limited supply of 'gas' or as we call it in the trade refrigerant. once its all vented out of the appliance...its gone.
if the 'gas' in it is R134a, and i am doing a re-gas, it is collected into a vessel.
if the 'gas' is R600 it will still be collected, but a lot of fridge engineers will let this vent into the atmosphere.

running the appliance with no refrigerant in is totally harmless, but a total waste of time as all you are doing is getting the compressor to pump air round. in short..it will do nothing but make a tinny noise.
it is IMPOSSIBLE to tell over the phone if it is repairable, which is why the repair people you spoke to may have been a bit vague, but i suspect if it is, the price will be restrictive.
sounds like you need (at best) a new evaporater.
a lot depends on where you have punctured the pipework.
if you were chipping ice off, i suspect you have a conventional fridge freezer as opposed to a frost free one.
repairing this would be a waste of time IMO.

for future reference, dont chip....use a steam cleaner.
hope this helps

Many thanks for advice. The manual tells me its R600a and it is a conventional fridge/freezer. The area around the puncture has now turned a deep orange/brown colour - is that normal?

 

[mwrpoole]

Do you have accidental damage on your home contents insurance ?

I do and already contacted them but they want estimate/quote to repair or confirmation its beyond repair before proceeding........

 

[Muhammed - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

Many thanks for advice. The manual tells me its R600a and it is a conventional fridge/freezer. The area around the puncture has now turned a deep orange/brown colour - is that normal?

all the gas will be gone now.

its just a cupboard
it is perfectly harmless....and totally useless

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Buy a new one - potentially cheaper