Stinol refrigerator malfunctions and their elimination

The principle of operation of the refrigerator

The operating principle of almost all such equipment is the same. The place of cold concentration is located inside the device. And the generated thermal energy is removed outside. To solve work problems, so-called freons are used, this is a popular type of refrigerant. Troubleshooting requires a minimum level of training in this regard.

Freon includes several main components in the form of chlorine with ethane, fluorine. The main difference between the material is the change from the liquid state to the gaseous state, when pressure fluctuations inside the walls begin.

The cooling procedure itself can be described as follows:

The operation of compressors helps draw the refrigerant inside. The design of the refrigerator is almost always the same.
Next, the composition moves through the tubes with the participation of a piston.
The refrigerant condenses during heat transfer.
The freon form becomes liquid.
Moisture turns into gas after being absorbed by the sorbent.
Transfer of refrigerant into the capillary tube.
The temperature of the gas and the pressure inside drop almost simultaneously.
The properties of freon change as it passes through the evaporator.
In the gas state, the refrigerant passes to the compressor of the Stinol no Frost refrigerator.

Models are being sold that have not one compressor, but two devices at once. Although this technique is considered more effective, maintenance does involve some problems. Possible malfunctions will be given below.

Is it possible to repair a Stinol refrigerator yourself?

Almost every Russian knows the Stinol brand of refrigerators, as well as Atlant and Biryusa. In the early 2000s, these cold storage units were extremely popular due to their excellent balance between quality, ease of use and price. Therefore, even after 20 years, these units still work and sometimes need repairs.

But before we move on to repairing the Stinol refrigerator, let's look at how refrigeration appliances work in general.

How does a refrigeration unit work?

The meaning of the operation of a refrigerator can be described as follows: it is the retention of cold air inside the device and the removal of the resulting thermal energy outside. Maintaining cold is provided by the so-called refrigerant or freon. This is a colorless substance that changes its shape from gas to liquid and back, depending on the pressure difference inside the refrigerator.

The cooling process itself looks like this:

With the help of a compressor, freon is supplied inside the radiator
Giving off heat, the freon condenses
It takes the form of a liquid
Water is absorbed by the sorbent, turning into gas
Freon enters the capillary tube
Pressure drops with gas temperature
Passing through the evaporator, freon becomes gaseous
Enters the compressor and the whole process starts all over again

Separately, it is worth having an understanding of the operation of the compressor and electrical system.

A compressor is a motor that moves freon through the pipes. Together with it, work is provided by:

start relay
temperature sensor
protective relay protecting against engine overheating
thermal protection

The process goes like this:

When current is applied, movement goes from the temperature sensor to the forced defrosting button, from there to the thermal protection, to the starting relay and to the motor winding.
The motor starts to work, frost is created. When a certain temperature is reached, the thermostat operates, opens the contacts and the current stops flowing, the engine does not work until the temperature drops again. And everything starts again.

To prevent overheating, the thermal protection relay is triggered and also opens the network; when the temperature drops, the contacts close again.

Types of refrigerators Stinol

Compressor: the most common models, the refrigerant moves under pressure. There may be 2 compressors, for the freezer and for the main one. This is effective, but more expensive to repair.
Adsorption: here ammonia is used as a coolant. This type of refrigerator is no longer produced due to the toxicity of the gas. But it may occur in older models.
Steam ejector or evaporative: the cooling process occurs due to injected water in the pipes. But this system is very expensive, as it consumes a large amount of energy and water.
Thermoelectric: They function by absorbing heat through two conductors and using current. The system is good and efficient, but quite expensive.

So, now that you have an idea of what main parts ensure the operation of the refrigerator, how the process itself occurs, you can move on to the preparatory stage, in other words, diagnose breakdowns.

Diagnostics of the Stinol refrigerator

It is necessary to examine the device for excess noise. The compressor may turn on/off periodically, but if it works continuously, this is a sign of a failure.
Check the temperature in the freezer. There should be no water or frost there.
Examine the main elements: they should be free of corrosion, deformation, mechanical damage, the protective shell must be intact.
Check for tightness and strength of fastenings.
Make sure that the power is supplied correctly: check the cord, electrical plug.

If all of the above manipulations did not help and the device does not work well, then it makes sense to proceed with repairs.

Compressor electrical system design

The motor is the main element inside the refrigerator. Without it, freon or refrigerant simply will not move through the pipes.

But this unit is not the only one; it is complemented by other parts:

Protective relay that prevents engine overheating.
A thermostat that sets the temperature at a certain level.
Start relay which should work fine after troubleshooting.

The engine has a rotor and a starter. Essentially, the latter is copper coils in some quantity, assembled together. The rotor is a conventional steel shaft, working in conjunction with a piston system. Possible malfunctions of this part of the equipment also have their own.

Electromagnetic induction is generated inside the coils when the motors are turned on. Due to this source, torque is generated. Centrifugal force contributes to the rotation of the rotor itself, and at the same time the piston moves.

The modern Stinol refrigerator is distinguished by the location of the engines inside the compressor. Then the probability of spontaneous leakage remains a minimal problem. The initial design of the system leads to frequent vibrations. A special suspension on metal springs is created just to prevent such situations.

New models differ in that the springs are fixed inside the housing. In old ones, this component is located inside. The first option was always considered more practical, since it allowed vibration to be dampened from the inside. But then repairs are more difficult to organize if the suspension breaks. The two-chamber type of technology is no exception.

The motor runs until a certain temperature level is established inside the chambers. After this, the thermostat is connected to operation. The motor stops receiving current with the contacts open. The compressor stops working. When the temperature rises, the contacts close again. The work cycle continues.

Important! Most often, problems occur in models that belong to the middle and lower price categories. It is more practical not to repair the device, but to buy a new one; replacement is much cheaper.

Refrigeration unit diagnostics

A thorough inspection of the unit helps to identify problem components:

Be sure to check the main details. Have they developed corrosion or other deformations? Are protective coatings damaged? Other mechanical damage is also highly likely to occur when the Stinol refrigerator does not freeze.
The tightness and fastening strength of the structural parts also deserve a separate analysis, especially if the Stinol refrigerator does not freeze.
Of all the properties, there are three main ones - power consumption, temperature in the freezer and near the back wall of the cabinet. You need to understand whether the start relay of the Stinol refrigerator needs to be replaced.

Refrigerator device

The Stinol brand produces equipment only from reliable materials. The design of the refrigerator is represented by a metal rectangular cabinet with a built-in chamber. The material of the freezer compartment is polystyrene. The refrigerator is covered with polyurethane foam, which provides complete thermal insulation. The unit will always give you a signal about contamination and humidity, since its design contains a throttling device.

The Stinol refrigerator can be one- or two-compressor with a vertical axis of rotation. The mechanism is located at the bottom of the cabinet and is a metal coil in metal plates.

The equipment also has two types of evaporator:

statistical instrument located on shelves;
No Frost system.

Refrigerators with the No Frost system have become quite widespread and loved by users. Dry freezing can preserve more nutrients in products and also prevent the formation of ice on the chamber wall.

Frequent problems with the Stinol refrigerator

Reliability is a distinctive feature of all refrigerators from this manufacturer included in the model range. But even in this case, no one provides complete protection against breakdowns during daily use. Dealing with a problem becomes easier if you know the causes and effects from the very beginning. There is a separate instruction manual for the Stinol refrigerator compressor.

Cabinet breakdowns

A thin layer of frost will appear on the static evaporator if the cabinet has been inoperative for some time. Because of this, liquid accumulates in large quantities inside the container.

Because of this, the tightness of the No Frost system is compromised, which is caused by:

Gaps that appeared between the rubber seal and the cabinet doors.
The appearance of deformations.
Broken seal or loose seal.

A 1-1.5 kW hair dryer for drying and styling hair will completely cope with the problem if the defect is not very serious. It is enough to apply a hot jet to the place where the seal is adjacent to other parts of the structure. Then the material is stretched so that its shape is adjusted. When the manipulation is completed, the door is closed. If there are breaks in the protective layer, the latter is changed so that the freezer continues to work.

Malfunctions of electrical circuit and automation elements

Electrical circuit components and automatic parts also often cause breakdowns. Here is a list of only the most common ones:

The drainage system became clogged with small particles, after which the Stinol refrigerators stopped working.
The evaporator tray heater was broken.
Defects appeared in the freezer and timer.
Malfunction related to the thermal fuse or defrost heater.
The insulation resistance in the electrical system has decreased.
The fan or compressor or other main parts of the system have broken down.
The start or thermal relay is faulty, causing the freezer to stop working.

Identification of a defective element and repair are the main actions that are associated with solving the problem in this case. If the issue cannot be resolved simply, the part is simply replaced with a new one.

Problems with refrigerant

In the freezer, the temperature level will be less than -18 degrees if the volume of refrigerant when filling the device was too high. The refrigerator compartment will remain too cold.

The return pipe is covered with condensation or a layer of frost. It is better to adjust the dose of freon after a two-hour break-in; this helps to cope with problems, for example, if the upper chamber does not freeze.

The refrigerator will remain warm if the dose of liquid, on the contrary, is underestimated. Temperatures drop more than 25 degrees below zero. In such a situation, frost often appears on the back walls. It is necessary to adjust the dose until the readings become normal so that the Stinol refrigerators start up immediately.

Malfunctions and their elimination

The most common malfunctions of the Stinol refrigerator and methods for eliminating them:

Impossibility of switching on due to breakdown of electrical circuit and automation elements. If the power cords or electronic components are loose, the equipment may start but then shut down. Failure of the thermostat or air sensor (or faulty operation of the elements) leads to overcooling or overheating of the compartments. The defect may be floating and depend on the room temperature. To check electrical circuits, a test device is used; the automation is checked only under service conditions.
Constant operation of the compressor and increased temperature due to problems with the refrigerant or regulator. Long-term operation of the pump at reduced pressure negatively affects the service life of the equipment. In 2-circuit units, refrigerant leakage is one of the main reasons why the refrigerator or freezer does not work. Filling the circuit with gas requires the use of special equipment; during the injection process, the tightness of the lines is checked.
There is no light when the door is unlocked; the cause of the defect is oxidation of the switch contacts or burnout of the lamp. The owner can independently replace the light source and wash the switch.
Malfunctions of the No Frost unit due to a breakdown of the heating element. The resulting frost negatively affects the operation of the equipment; repairs are carried out under service conditions. Some owners pay attention to the crackling sound of a working refrigerator. Extraneous sound occurs due to contact between the fan impeller and the frost layer.
Flooding of the refrigerating chamber with water occurs in installations with a drip defrosting system. Drops of water flow down the back wall of the refrigerator; the design provides a drainage channel, which becomes clogged with dirt. After cleaning the tube with wire, the drainage is restored. It is recommended to check the position of the tray on the compressor that ensures the evaporation of moisture.

View » How to repair a refrigerator with your own hands: frequent breakdowns and how to fix them

Signs of problems with the refrigerator and possible malfunctions

One of the common problems is when the power to the refrigerator stops turning on. Here are just a few possible defects:

The timer in the defrost position is broken.
The thermostat and start relay stopped working.
The compressor winding is broken.
Malfunctions and problems with the plug and power cord of the refrigerator.

It often happens that food is frozen too hard. This happens if the quick freeze button is stuck or the thermal handle has been adjusted incorrectly.

If the freezing is weak, then there are also several possible problems and reasons:

Lost electrical circuit integrity.
Compressor performance is low.
Loose fit of the filler, loss of its elasticity.
Damage to the thermostat and control element. The electrical circuit of the refrigerator is checked separately.

Interesting. Freezer malfunctions have also become a fairly common problem. It also happens that this part of the installation refuses to work at all. System depressurization and freon leakage are the most common causes. A breakdown in the No Frost system leads to large amounts of heat accumulating inside the refrigerator freezer. In this case, the problem can be resolved only by contacting specialists from service centers. They are definitely familiar with all the malfunctions of the Stinol refrigerator and their elimination.

Signs of trouble

Typical malfunctions of the Stinol refrigerator have the following symptoms:

The device does not turn on. The symptom occurs when the integrity of the power cable is broken or the compressor winding is damaged. A breakdown of the start relay or thermostat may prevent the refrigerator from turning on. More rare problems include jamming of the defrost timer, blown fuse, and oxidation of electrical circuit contacts.
The compressor switches off quickly after starting. The problem occurs when the motor winding breaks or the metal plates of the protective relay are destroyed.
The temperature in the freezer rises. Occurs when the temperature sensor breaks down, the rubber seal wears out, or the compressor performance decreases. It is worth checking the permeability of the cooling system and the integrity of the electrical circuits.
Ice forms. The Super Freeze mode may be set.
One of the chambers freezes, the second does not. A malfunction occurs when freon leaks or the integrity of the thermal insulation layer is damaged.
The temperature in the freezer of a refrigerator with a drip system increases. In a device with 2 compressors, one of the motors may fail.
Water appears at the bottom of the chamber. The symptom is observed when the drain hole is clogged or the cooling mode is incorrectly selected.
The temperature in the No Frost refrigerator compartments increases. The fault should be looked for in the automatic defrost system.

Features of operation

It is worth considering what owners most often encounter in practice.

Stinol 102.

The installation includes two compressors with the unique NoFrost system. Two thermostats are added to the front trim. The model uses a fan heater, due to which the internal compositions move. Thermal relay malfunctions are the most popular problem among those who have this particular model. The control panel may also break, although the reasons will be different.

Usually, the wires are removed from the contacts to make sure that there is a breakdown and its correct origin. Then the parts are connected to each other using a jumper. If after such manipulation everything starts, it means that the problem was definitely in the relay. Repair of the Stinol 102 refrigerator should be entrusted to professionals.

Stinol 103, which has its own electrical circuit.

In this case, the temperature regulator often breaks down in order to repair the Stinol 103 refrigerator . All structural parts are designed for a maximum five-year service life. Defects lead to the temperature inside the chamber becoming too high. Oxidation of the contacts occurs, due to which the tightness of the connection of the parts to each other is broken over time. Contacts can burn, break, and lead to other types of breakdowns. It is not difficult to change the starting relay for equipment.

Stinol 110.

The malfunctions are in many ways similar to the problems characteristic of the 102 model. Old models also fall under the rule - Stinol 101, Stinol 107, Stinol 110 itself.

About checking the thermostat

The temperature regulator often fails, as can be understood from previous stories.

This is due to the working life of the equipment, which lasts for a maximum of 5-6 years. The refrigerator compressor does not start when this part is broken. Things are different when the upper chamber does not freeze in Stinol models.

There are two ways to determine the working status.