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Customer feedback about my fridge compressor noise changed how I diagnose
Had a guy last month call me back about a fridge I fixed. Said the hum was still bugging him. I checked voltage, checked the start relay, all good. Then he pointed out the compressor mounting bolts. They were tight but the rubber grommets were old and hard. Never thought much about that before. Now I check all the vibration dampers on every compressor swap. Slap a new set of grommets in for like 4 bucks. Quieted his unit right down. Anyone else ever chase a noise problem that turned out to be something simple like that?
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barbara_jenkins6612d ago
Did you try those anti-vibration pads they sell for washing machines? I had a similar deal with a residential unit last spring where the customer was convinced the compressor was going bad because it made this low humming sound. I swapped the grommets and it helped a little but the real fix was putting a small piece of rubber mat under the whole compressor base. It absorbed the rest of the vibration that was transferring through the floor. That plus new grommets was like 6 bucks total and the guy said it was the quietest his fridge had been in years. Now I carry both in my truck.
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nina_taylor12d ago
Ngl I had almost the exact same thing happen with a Whirlpool side by side about two years ago. Guy kept saying the compressor sounded like it was rattling after I replaced the start relay. I tested everything twice even swapped the overload protector. Finally I just grabbed the suction line while it was running and felt the vibration transferring right into the cabinet. Turns out the little rubber isolator mounts on the compressor feet were flattened and hard as a rock. Slapped two new ones in and it was dead silent. Now I always keep a handful of those rubber grommets in my van because they're like 2 bucks and save a callback every time. Honestly it's one of those stupid simple fixes that makes you feel dumb for not catching it sooner.
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