Samsung American Style Fridge: Compressor motor bad

CountyHurler

Hi guys,

A friend of mine has a large Samsung fridge similar to this.



The compressor started making some odd sounds last week, and then the fridge stopped working. The relay was clicking on it, but we tested the relay and it was fine. We had a good inclination that the compressor was just not moving and the overload was just shutting it off (causing the relay to click on and off).

So he decided to get a real "fridge guy" out to have a look at it as neither of us know much about compressors..... Guy arrives out today, tells him that the compressor is gone and he doesnt install/refill compressors, then charges 80 euro....

What are the options on this? Does anybody fit compressors for these types of fridges or do we simply have to throw it out?

note: fridge six years old, out of warranty, kildare south area, thanks in advance...

The Red Ace

if the compressor is faulty it takes specialised equipment to replace it, my advise would be call the retailer where it was bought and get a number for Samsung service in your area and then ring them and ask how much to fit and recharge the new compressor and what warranty you will get, then decide or alternatively Google refrigeration companys in your area , same question.

CountyHurler

Thanks for your response... My friend did what you said and it looks like Samsung are prepared to give him a few quid...

Called another fridge repair guy today and he said the same... hasnt replaced a compressor in three years.. He still has the gear for doing it but by the time he prices it up and puts the quote to the owner, they just say "it's not worth it" and they go and buy another one... reckons it would cost about 300 euro (150 for the compressor)...

Man of Aran

Sad but true, most of the conventional domestic fridges or freezers are dispose-of and replace nowadays due mainly to labour costs in developed markets.
The compressor and refrigerant is hermetically sealed and 'critical charge' - that means replacement refrigerant gas needs to be weighed in accurately in Grams, not kilograms after compressor replacement, evacuation and moisture removal steps etc.
Quite intensive work.

However in these larger American style combined fridge- freezer- cold drinks & ice dispenser systems, said repair is well justified in most cases.

CountyHurler

Hi guys, thanks for your contributions... Turns out he couldnt get anything for the fridge and needed to just get another fridge for the christmas as he has wife and small child and cant afford to be messing around....

Went in to look at the fridges and he saw the same range of Samsung fridges, one generation ahead, and there's a sticker on the front door saying "10 year guarantee on the compressor"... :pac:

I hate they way companies do that though, discover that there's some flaw in their product then fix it and offer the fact that they've fixed the flaw as a new selling point...

Sounds more like a rearguard action to counteract the bad publicity caused by the part failing prematurely in the first place.

DoomZ

You should do a Google on the model number, I know two people who got a replacement fridge over a know issue with American style Samsung fridges... After their stories I wouldn't touch a Samsung fridge.