Do-It-Yourself, Repairs and Fixes

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Black liquid leaking from underneath refrigerator (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by SharkEatingBreakfast@sopuli.xyz to c/diy@lemmy.ml

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Refrigerator is a Frigidaire LTFR1832TF0.

Leak came from the front-right side.

I did not notice any temperature fluctuations, but I also don't notice much of anything. It still seemed cold when I unplugged it, though!

Checked the drain pan & it seems dry? Not overflowing or anything.

No water on inside of refrigerator.

Anyone have any idea what might be going on? I'd really appreciate it, as no one can take a look for another 3 days.

I don't want my food to spoil, as I don't have a lot of money. I just want to know if it'd be safe to plug it back in!

Thank you.

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[–] Rocketpoweredgorilla@lemmy.ca 17 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

If it's not coming from the drip pan, chances are it's compressor oil. You probably will not want to run it until you can fix the leak and replace the oil that's leaked out. running it without oil will kill it.

Your two choices would be to call a repair person, or to look up how (and if) you can seal the leak and change the oil yourself.

[–] SharkEatingBreakfast@sopuli.xyz 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I called a repair person, but I need to wait for 3 days until they can get me in.

Could the oil get to the front of the fridge if the compressor is located in the back? I checked around the compressor itself but didn't see any leakage.

[–] Rocketpoweredgorilla@lemmy.ca 9 points 6 months ago

If it's leaking onto the metal framework it can pool in there and come out wherever it finds a hole or low spot to come out. It's really hard to say for sure without getting under there and seeing what's going on.

[–] Phedonus@lemmy.world 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Good chance it could be oil. I seem to remember a few years back having something similar on a mini fridge in the garage.

[–] PolyLlamaRous@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Sorry, oil for what? Especially in that quantity? I'm not questioning you, but asking.

[–] ChihuahuaOfDoom@lemmy.world 12 points 6 months ago (1 children)

The compressor motor sits in an oil bath and is supposed to be sealed. If it's leaking the fridge is likely toast.

[–] PolyLlamaRous@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

Thanks, and yeah, makes sense.

Would this be hard to fix? Is it worth fixing? Assuming the motor is not yet burned out, you would have to add more oil and re-seal the motor housing? Sounds simple, but I assume that there is a high likelihood that the motor is already burnt out? And maybe another reason it's leaking in the first place and not simply a seal?

[–] maculata@aussie.zone 3 points 6 months ago

That’s the evil leaking out from previously stored okra.