Thread: Fridge knowledge requested.

Don't know where to put this. Looked at the aircon section, but it's not a posting section.
I have a 5 year old Samsung fridge. It crapped out a few days ago. It's out of warranty except for the compressor which has a ten year warranty.
Technicians just came around and said that the compressor is fvcked and they'll replace it under warranty, but that the filter dryer is also fvcked and the'll need to replace that at a cost of 1800 (including 350 labour, if I understood correctly, or plus 350 labour if I didn't). I'll also be charged for re-gassing.

It strikes me as odd that 2 things went wrong simultaneously. My question: If the compressor is to be replaced, 1. would that automatically require a re-gassing (because if so, I don't think I should be charged for it). 2. Same thing about the filter dryer. Is that something that is usually replaced when the compressor is replaced? 3. Is it odd that the filter dryer crapped out at the same time as the compressor? Could one failure lead to the other?

My grandmothers Frigidaire is still running after 50 years on the go. My F&P chest freezer has not stopped for the last 25 years. This world brand Samsung craps out after 5 years. Guess what brand fridge I won't ever buy again?

Appreciate any advice, cheers.

Changing the filter dryer is normal practice if you have had a compressor failure. The filter dryer picks up particles should the compressor let go internally. Consequently you should not fit a new compressor and have a dirty filter dryer in the closed system
Normally the gas is chargeable as it is classified a consumable
Hope this explains a few things

welcome to the new world order, super planned obsolescence. Same thing for me with a Samsung fridge after just 3 years. Never again for TV's 3 years also with a Samsung. They simply dont build them like they used to.

Apparently the filter dryer is usually replaced when the compressor is replaced.

refer compressor blow out contaminates the refrigerant - SOP (as identified in the above posts) to replace the refrigerant and the filter dryers.

As far as warranty repair - well, kind of a legal question. We would expect the replacement and repair costs should be covered inclusively, but, it would cost you more to legally challenge the warranty and, more than likely, the fine (never read) print excludes the labor, etc.

The compressor warranty covers the compressor, not the service call to replace it.

Cheers guys. That's all very helpful.
My take away: Don't sweat the charge for the gas or labour, but perhaps question the charge on replacement of the filter, on the grounds that it probably failed as a consequence of the compressor failing?

Originally Posted by Maanaam

My grandmothers Frigidair is still running after 50 years on the go.

Is that the eco-friendly model? You usually save a lot on your electricity bill by replacing any heat or cold generating apparatus which is older than 10 years.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

1. would that automatically require a re-gassing (because if so, I don't think I should be charged for it). 2. Same thing about the filter dryer. Is that something that is usually replaced when the compressor is replaced? 3. Is it odd that the filter dryer crapped out at the same time as the compressor?

Had a compressor replaced on my old fridge about a month back. Total cost 2,400. 3 month warranty.

Originally Posted by aging one

welcome to the new world order, super planned obsolescence. Same thing for me with a Samsung fridge after just 3 years. Never again for TV's 3 years also with a Samsung. They simply dont build them like they used to.

Have gradually replaced all my defunct white goods (fridge, washing machine, oven, shower units, toasters, etc) with the Electrolux brand. I bought a coffee machine from them 15 years ago that is still going strong, so is everything else so far..

Originally Posted by lom

Is that the eco-friendly model? You usually save a lot on your electricity bill by replacing any heat or cold generating apparatus which is older than 10 years.

Yeah, no it definitely is not the eco-friendly model. But obviously the pipework and compressor are of quality.
Indeed, this fridge has a very good eco-rating...but clearly not good workmanship or quality parts.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Had a compressor replaced on my old fridge about a month back. Total cost 2,400. 3 month warranty.

Hmm. I would imagine the compressor is the expensive bit. I'm being charged 1800 for the filter dryer alone.
Ddid your compressor change also include replacing the filter dryer? From the sounds of it, it should have.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

question the charge on replacement of the filter, on the grounds that it probably failed as a consequence of the compressor failing?

Logical and makes perfect sense. Present it to them - you'll probably receive a perplexed look, or blank stare. Of course, you never know. They may agree.

And of course, all the parts have to come from BKK. Thailand's 3rd biggest city and a major brand of appliance carries no parts.

Don't sweat the small stuff and keep the repairmen happy.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Don't know where to put this. Looked at the aircon section, but it's not a posting section.
I have a 5 year old Samsung fridge. It crapped out a few days ago. It's out of warranty except for the compressor which has a ten year warranty.
Technicians just came around and said that the compressor is fvcked and they'll replace it under warranty, but that the filter dryer is also fvcked and the'll need to replace that at a cost of 1800 (including 350 labour, if I understood correctly, or plus 350 labour if I didn't). I'll also be charged for re-gassing.

It strikes me as odd that 2 things went wrong simultaneously. My question: If the compressor is to be replaced, 1. would that automatically require a re-gassing (because if so, I don't think I should be charged for it). 2. Same thing about the filter dryer. Is that something that is usually replaced when the compressor is replaced? 3. Is it odd that the filter dryer crapped out at the same time as the compressor? Could one failure lead to the other?

My grandmothers Frigidaire is still running after 50 years on the go. My F&P chest freezer has not stopped for the last 25 years. This world brand Samsung craps out after 5 years. Guess what brand fridge I won't ever buy again?

Appreciate any advice, cheers.

Firstly, I have a samsung fridge and they are crap. Very poorly designed from shelving to the refrigeration system. Now to your problem. When a compressor fails it is either due to the compressor seized or the motor burning out. It is unwise to reuse the gas as it is contaminated. The refrigerant dryer is always replaced as good practice as this traps any moisture which is in the system and should always be changed if the system is opened. The procedure is in this order:
1: Replace compressor
2: fit new refrigerant dryer
3: evacuate system with 2 stage vacuum pump until the system will hold a vacuum of under 100 microns for 10 minutes with the pump off.
4: charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant as per name plate with digital scales.
5: leak test all freshly brazed joints on compressor and dryer
6: Run and test the system and check.
Approximate parts cost: domestic refrigerant drier under 250 baht.
Refrigerant Approximately 250 baht
As both of these are required when changing a compressor they should be part of the waranty.
At 1800 baht, the drier is still about 1600 baht overpriced. Those driers have a wholesale price of between 50 baht and 200 baht and that's generous.
I would contact Samsung and ask what is chargeable in the compressor replacement.
Any parts (refrigerant gas and drier) that must be replaced with compressor should be waranty but in Thailand its in the lap of the gods.

Originally Posted by aging one

welcome to the new world order, super planned obsolescence. Same thing for me with a Samsung fridge after just 3 years. Never again for TV's 3 years also with a Samsung. They simply dont build them like they used to.

I have had many samsung products and am familiar with others. I would not buy anything outside of a phone from them. I had almost a whole house of samsung whitegoods at one time. Outside of the fridge which I have to periodically strip to remove built up ice from the fan due to a poor design, all other Samsung products are at the tip. Ask any refrigeration technician what they think of Samsung air conditioning and the first adjective they come up with will be shite or F#%ked.

Originally Posted by Hugh Cow

Firstly, I have a samsung fridge and they are crap. Very poorly designed from shelving to the refrigeration system. Now to your problem. When a compressor fails it is either due to the compressor seized or the motor burning out. It is unwise to reuse the gas as it is contaminated. The refrigerant dryer is always replaced as good practice as this traps any moisture which is in the system and should always be changed if the system is opened. The procedure is in this order:
1: Replace compressor
2: fit new refrigerant dryer
3: evacuate system with 2 stage vacuum pump until the system will hold a vacuum of under 100 microns for 10 minutes with the pump off.
4: charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant as per name plate with digital scales.
5: leak test all freshly brazed joints on compressor and dryer
6: Run and test the system and check.
Approximate parts cost: domestic refrigerant drier under 250 baht.
Refrigerant Approximately 250 baht
As both of these are required when changing a compressor they should be part of the waranty.
At 1800 baht, the drier is still about 1600 baht overpriced. Those driers have a wholesale price of between 50 baht and 200 baht and that's generous.
I would contact Samsung and ask what is chargeable in the compressor replacement.
Any parts (refrigerant gas and drier) that must be replaced with compressor should be waranty but in Thailand its in the lap of the gods.

Very intersting! Especially the prices. Yesterday I contacted Samsung NZ just to ask what's normal. Am awaiting an email.

^. OK. I suspect the local service centre manager is doing something like: do the repair under warranty and get reimbursed from Samsung for it, but charge the gullible exhorbitant rates for the parts "not under warranty".
I'm considering cancelling the Samsung service and getting a private refrigeration service guy to do it. As a matter of principle. It's not a huge sum, but it's a rort (possibly).

Samsung hoovers and laptops are good, nothing else

Interesting comments re Samsung products. I have 15 year old fridge and nary a single problem. 2 Samsung Smart TVs nary a problem. 3 Samsung ACs nary a prob with only cost normal servicing.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Guess what brand fridge I won't ever buy again?

Smeg, you cheap fucker

^^ Our Samsung AC has had a few problems. In 5 years it's had to be re-gassed 3 times and the entire condenser unit replaced. Also the horizontal motion fins stopped working about a day after warranty expired, and the remote button for the fan speed doesn't work so it's stuck on full blast.
Either you're lucky or I'm unlucky...or both.

I just did a search for the filter dryers after Hugh's mention of the price. Depending on the model fridge, they range from circa Hugh's price to over 1600, so perhaps I'm not getting ripped. My model number doesn't seem to be anywhere.

It's a fridge. Chuck it out (give it to a local that could do with it, and knows how to work it)

And buy a new one.

A legally employed government school teacher can get 0 down 0% paid monthly for the length of their employment contract. Easy peasy. How long is your current employment contract?

FOL. You're tedious.