[clawlan]

Slightly under a year ago I purchased a home with nearly new appliances, including a Samsung french door refrigerator. I use gel type ice packs often and recently, they have been staying in watery liquid gel form rather than the far more viscous form they get when fully frozen. I also have another water type ice pack that hasn't fully frozen since being in there for several days. But frozen foods, like chicken breasts, seem to still be solid. I also noticed that the ice maker, which is inside the fridge section, isn't making as much ice as usual, and the cubes are coming out less smooth and not always properly formed.

All this has led me to believe that the freezer is not getting as cold, or whatever controls the temp is not working properly (since the ice maker is not in the freezer section).

I tried changing the temp from -2 to -8 (the lowest) and that is not helping. Before I call an appliance repair person, does anyone have any tips of what I could check? Where is a good place to buy a thermometer accurate to these cold temps?

 

[BayouRunner]

Look for ice buildup in the back of the freezer. If it's excessive it can block airflow and still allow items not to freeze thoroughly. If it is built up, thawing it out will take care of it. Depending on if it freezes up again pretty quick could be a defrost issue. Heater, bimetal, control board.

 

[clawlan]

Heater, bimetal, control board.

What do you mean by this?

I'll check for ice.

 

[BayouRunner]

Just different things to check if the unit freezes back up with excessive ice in a few days.

 

[clawlan]

No ice in the freezer, vents are clear.

 

[BayouRunner]

Well if condensor fan is working ok as well as evap fan I would suspect a sealed system issue. Keep in mind I'm not looking at your unit and I'm guessing with limited info.

 

[clawlan]

I pulled the unit away from the wall a bit more and reset the ice maker. Let's see if that makes any difference.

 

[clawlan]

OK, I pulled the back bottom cover off and the radiator (coil?) was caked in dust as well as the intake vents. Cleaned everything well, so we'll see if that was the main issue or not.

 

[clawlan]

Cleaning the dust did not fix the issue. I bought a refrigerator thermometer and the freezer is holding at about 32F. I bought a few bags of ice and put in there to try to keep everything frozen. If any part of the sealed system is the issue, then it should be covered under the 5 year warranty. Unfortunately I am going to have to wait until Tuesday to call Samsung.

 

[BayouRunner]

Hope you can get a receipt. They will not honor the warranty without it. We did warranty work for them for more than five years.

 

[clawlan]

Really? Even if the serial number proves it's under 5 y/o?

 

[BayouRunner]

Yes manufacturers for the most part will not honor a warranty without a proof of purchase. Sometimes they will make an exception, but for the most part you are on your own without the receipt. Just for your info if it is a sealed system repair and you call out a non Samsung repair company do not let them put a tap or valve on it. That will void any warranty you have. Also they will still want to send an authorized service center in order to get any warranty work done. So you may be paying twice. Most of those systems have two evaporator coils as well. First sign of a leak is the symptoms you are describing. IMO

 

[clawlan]

Yes manufacturers for the most part will not honor a warranty without a proof of purchase. Sometimes they will make an exception, but for the most part you are on your own without the receipt. Just for your info if it is a sealed system repair and you call out a non Samsung repair company do not let them put a tap or valve on it. That will void any warranty you have. Also they will still want to send an authorized service center in order to get any warranty work done. So you may be paying twice. Most of those systems have two evaporator coils as well. First sign of a leak is the symptoms you are describing. IMO

Well, if they wont honor the warranty, i would think id be better off with a local appliance repair that may be cheaper.

 

[BayouRunner]

Yes it could. You just need a good tech. One that is good at sealed system repairs. I would still make a call to samsung though. Sometimes they will offer you the parts for free and you pay the labor. Places to look for leak would be where the two lines split above. Evaporator in frig. Also driers are pressed on and not soldered. They are complicated to work on but a good service center is going to be your key. Good luck

 

[clawlan]

Just got off the phone with Samsung support. Given that the serial number is less than 5 years old, the unit is still covered under the sealed system warranty even though I don't have the original receipt. They are setting me up with service, though the company they use in the Atlanta area has horrific reviews, which makes me nervous. And I am still responsible for their $70 diagnostic fee regardless.

 

[BayouRunner]

I was afraid of that. But it is what it is. Good luck!