engel fridge compressor

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:07

ThreadID: 83599 Views:19522 Replies:10 FollowUps:6

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hotfishez

Gday all, my engel has just or sometime over the last 6 months crapped itself. Unfortunatley it is 6 months out of warranty. The compressor has failed and I need to find a new one or a generic camparable that will fit. Have been quoted $900 to repair by a local agent, not worth it unles I can find one at a better price.

This compressor runs for 10 seconds or so and then trips out. After another 10-15 seconds it will run again and so on.

Does anybody know antwhere in wa who is a bit better in price or other options?

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Reply By: Ruffy-Dan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:17

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:17

What model engel is it?

I have a 39litre about 15 years old that i purchased a new cooling unit, being the compressor and condensor and all associated hardware as a complete unit with gas ready to go and fitted it into the fridge myself.

ARB were then dealing in engel parts, not sure if they still do since they ripped off engel fridges and rebranded them.
I found parts cheaper through ARB (first for eveything) than from an engel agent.

Hope that helps a little,

Dan

AnswerID: 441502

Reply By: Wilko - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:26

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:26

Hi Hotfishez

There is a place called Engelworld that Ive heard do a good job with repairs but I'm not sure how pricey they are.

Cheers Wilko

AnswerID: 441505

Reply By: spudseamus - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:28

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:28

Ive got a danfoss 35 i think in a Reefer that has a pin hole in the evaporator but the compressor has been checked and is in top order --frigie filled with gas and put a valve near the compressor if you are handy you could repair yours with my compressor! spud@dualxp.net for a lot less than $900 email me

AnswerID: 441506

Reply By: River Swaggie - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:43

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:43

Mate get yourself an Evakool,Aussie made etc...You can get seconds units with solar for less than your repair..Hav a look here Evakool

I own one and hav met others that own them on my journey and only great reviews.

AnswerID: 441507

Reply By: Searay - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 19:54

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 19:54

Hi Hotfishez, I have had the same thing happen to my engel after not using it for a while and was told to leave it on its side for the night(turned off) then the next day run it for a half hour up the right way , then the other side (turned off) put it up right the next day and run it. Finally put it on its lid(turned off) for the night put it upright the next day and run it. This has worked for me and a few others also. It stirs up the gas. Hope it works for you.

AnswerID: 441515

Follow Up By: oz doc - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 21:37

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 21:37

Hi Searay, you know I have heard of this sort of advice before and variations of it. Apparently it stems back to earlier model fridges where the ?coolent could settle after a period of time and cause blockagest(apologies if I have got this wrong). Anyway I was informed that this doesnt happen with the new fridges and it is a no no to turn them upside down.
Having said all that, when our engel appeared to develop a compressor problem(running and not getting cold), we were advised by someone on this site to turn it upside down, which we did (before we heard all the negatives about doing so) After doing this it started working fine and hasn't missed a beat for the 12 months since. I guess it could be co-incidence. I wonder if anyone on this site knows a more precise /technical explanation for how or why this sometimes works. doc.

FollowupID: 713610

Follow Up By: - mazcan - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:15

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:15

hi
that treatment or method was called the inversion treatment

and was a common thing to do with any old fridge and i still practise it and have also used the method on my engels with good results and have done this to countless fridges -new and- old for 40yrs

yes it does stir up the gas that has somewhat settled all i have ever done is turn the fridge off and wait for it to defrost

then turn the engel up on its end with the refridgerant unit upwards for 20 minutes

then put it upside down on its lid for another 20 mins

then back the right way up and wait another 20 mins

then restart it and you will find it will freeze it's butt off
if this doesn't improve or fix it then you need a fridgie

this method of inversion has never failed for me on modern or old fridges despite what the fridgies say to the contrary
personelly i think they would rather you bring it to them all due respect to them

FollowupID: 713634

Follow Up By: - mazcan - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:22

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:22

hi oz doc
and no imho it's not a coincidence
cheers

FollowupID: 713635

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 21:25

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 21:25

I had the same problem with my Engel in January (second time same prob same fridge in 5 years).

I had it repaired in Bathurst by an Engel approved repairer it cost me $600 I think.

Duncs

AnswerID: 441529

Reply By: Rangiephil - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 22:29

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 22:29

I have an 11year old Engel in which I have just replaced the fan for AFAIR $70 for the part from Engel land.
I had a thermostat die a coupleof years ago, and was informed by the Engel repair agent that the compressor/condensor/evaporator assembly is sold by Engel as a complete gassed assembly for about $500. if you look at the fridge( if it is like mine) you will see the gas lines loop over the top of the cabinet.

This is in contrast to most other fridges where you have to chop into the cabinet to replace the compressor.

So I was assured by the service guy that all you do is unplug the electrics, undo the screws and swap new for old.

should be well in the realm of the DIY man.

I think the $900 was a lend.
Regards Philip A

AnswerID: 441537

Follow Up By: Ruffy-Dan - Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:02

Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011 at 23:02

Yes, I Did mine myself Phil,exactly as you mentioned

Dan

FollowupID: 713627

Reply By: - mazcan - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:19

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 01:19

hi
are you sure you have a proper power supply to it and the wiring is not over heating or relay throwing out
have you checked the voltage at the fridge plug coming from the battery sounds sus to me
cheers

AnswerID: 441546

Follow Up By: hotfishez - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 09:09

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 09:09

12v or 240 makes no difference

FollowupID: 713643

Reply By: time waster - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 08:10

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 08:10

Don't forget your home and contents insurance our friends engel died and it was repaired under fusion with there home insurance.

Christian

AnswerID: 441552

Follow Up By: Member - Gavan F (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 17:20

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 17:20

Yep I enquired about this last year after mine drowned .They informed me that the electronics was not covered but the compressor was. (I had to replace the electronics).

So hit up your home and contents insurance.

Gavan Findlater

FollowupID: 713698

Reply By: Member - Gavan F (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 17:24

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011 at 17:24

Hotfishez

I borrowed a mates ARB fridge for a 6 week trip through The centre ,and up to the Tip of the Cape .While mine was getting repaired .

Very very good fridge .For their price I will be buying one when mine finally dies (again).

Gavan

AnswerID: 441594