Frigidaire Fridge Questions - Model FPI-16TM

[58limited]

I picked this up today to use as a beer fridge - it will hold 4 (or more) of my 5 gal. soda kegs. I plan to run taps through the door.

 

The reason the previous owner got rid of it is because of a water problem: water drips from the freezer into the fridge compartment. I do not know much about auto defrost fridges. It appears that the drain tube that goes from the freezer compartment into the lower refrigerator compartment is clear of blockages - water drains down to the tray mounted in back on the top of the compressor. I think the water is coming from two 1" square holes in a block mounted to the top of the fridge compartment (not sure of terminology). The water that drains from the freezer comes into this block and is directed out the back through a drain tube, but it overflows and drips out of the two holes. How do I fix this problem? It seems to me that there is too much water flowing through the system, maybe there is another problem. The door gaskets  are in good shape and appear to seal perfectly.

 

Also, are there any cooling coils on the sides of these fridges? I need to drill a hole to run a CO2 line to pressurize the kegs.

 

Does anyone know the year this model was made?

 

Thanks and Happy Holidays everyone.

 

[rp2813]

Can you post pictures?  I'm inclined to suggest the block you mentioned could contain a considerable amount of built up re-frozen defrost water.  If the fridge had been unplugged for a while, as in long enough for any ice to melt, and you poured water down the freezer drain but still have the leakage problem, then it's something else.  You're sure the drain from the block down to the pan isn't clogged?

 

Although it's not the same system as on your Frigidaire, the trough on the rear interior wall of my '57 GE Combination catches the condensate from the serpentine coils, but the water routinely refreezes and I have to periodically remove the ice chunks from the trough.  This happens even though the cabinet temperature holds fairly steady at 38 to 39 degrees.

 

[58limited]

Here is a picture of the block mounted to the top of the fridge compartment - is it an overflow drain? The drain tube can be seen just behind it. As I said, the drain tube does not seem to be blocked, but I wonder if it was iced up and caused the overflow issues the previous owner was having problems with. She got her new fridge on Wednesday, this one has been unplugged since then. I moved the fridge yesterday and will plug it in today after letting it set overnight. I'll see if the problem still exists. If not, this will be a great beer fridge.

 

[58limited]

OK, I see now that those 1" holes are for the air that is blown by the fan in the freezer compartment. I only own pre-1955 fridges so really know nothing about modern fridges. Patrick (pdub) sent me a PDF of the Use and Care Manual. Based on the info in that, I swapped the door hinges and handles so that it will open to the left now.

 

I also noticed after the fridge ran that water was dripping from a small 1/16" hole just behind the light switch. I think this is the problem the previous owner was experiencing - she told me that water got onto the door shelves and into the vegetable drawers. Based on how the water drips, it can affect both areas. While I had the doors off for the hinge swap, I took the floor of the freezer partially apart ( a few screws in front and underneath) to look - the foam insulation, the top of which is used as a drip pan for condensation from the freezer and channels it towards the drain in back. The metal pan under it serves as the top of the fridge compartment but also collects  run-off and channels it into the drain - I think. I couldn't get it all out to inspect due to the wiring for the fridge compartment controls.  Other than plugging the little hole (factory made) I don't think there is anything I can do about it. If I plug it, the water will probably run to the back of the fridge and out the drain - hopefully. If not, it will overflow into the fridge compartment.

 

[pdub]

Those 2 square holes are where the cold air from the freezer blows down to cool the refrigerator compartment. The water from the defrost cycle should bypass those completely unless the tube is blocked or frozen over. I once heard where a frozen pea blocked a drain tube and once it was cleared all was well.

I think that since the unit has been sitting for a while that if anything was frozen it has since melted and your problem will be solved.

Best of luck and report back if problems continue.

 

[goatfarmer]

IIRC, the sides are coil free, should have no problem drilling the sides.

 

[philr]

Did the foam seem damp?

That's the reason why the Frigidaire tech who previously owned my small 1965 FPIC-12TJ fridge wanted to get rid of it. He used it as a beer fridge so it didn't matter much but there was water dripping on the shelves in the refrigerator. He told me that the foam was bad but he wasn't interested in repairing it!

So, I got it and I decided to remove the old foam and try to fabricate new insulation and it seems to have worked as I haven't seen any water dripping since! I kept the old foam for a few weeks just to see if the water would evaporate from it and it didn't! It was still very damp and heavy when I threw it away!
Strangely, this model doesn't have a drain tube that starts at the top of the refrigerator. When it defrosts, the water just drips on the rear wall until it reaches the drain below the Hydrators. (but it doesn't drip on the shelves anymore!).

So far, I haven't used it for anything else than keeping cool drinks but I think it's a nice small fridge. It's a Frost-Proof model, it has a freezer light and a butter conditioner too! I just wish I could find for it the missing shelf that goes over the ice trays in the freezer and the lamp cover in the refrigerator section.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

A FRIDGE THAT OLD w/ A FREEZER LIGHT!!!!!!

Wow, I really like what I see! I hope even if you use this box to keep beer 'n' ice in, that it will always serve you well eternally!

And post some more pics, too--especially that inaugural beer fest!!!!

-- Dave

 

[58limited]

The foam was dry, so I don't think that is the problem. I'll see what it does over the next week now that it has been thoroughly defrosted - there might have been ice blocking the drainage.

 

Mine doesn't have a freezer light. The fridge light is not working so I've go to trouble shoot that too.

 

[philr]

Dave,

Freezer lights weren't unusual back then (I have one in my 1961, 63 and 64 Frigidaire fridges too). What's unusual is to have these features in an apartment-sized fridge like this. 1965 was the first year that Frigidaire offered these features (frost-proof freezer and a freezer light) on a fridge that was less than 64" tall and that had less than 13 cu.ft. capacity, but before that, all Imperial models that were frost-proof also had a freezer light. I guess that they removed features on FPI "Imperial" models after they introduced FPCI "Custom Imperial" fridges as their top-of-the-line models. Back in 1965, you could get a Frigidaire "Custom Imperial" range, dishwasher, washer or dryer but TOL refrigerators were still badged as "Imperial" models.

The 12 cu.ft. Imperial refrigerators still had less fancy trim outside as the taller models. Mine was made by GM Canada but I think it's very similar to US models, the only difference I see is that Robertson screws instead of Phillips screws were used on Canadian models.


David,
Does your refrigerator still has a rotary compressor or did they switch to another type after WCI bought Frigidaire? And out of the subject, as I see your avatar, I am wondering if your '58 Limited still has it's Flightpitch transmission? I have never driven a car with this transmission, but I'm very curious about it!

I found this year end clearance ad for 1965 Frigidaire appliances. The same model I have was being discounted to 350$... I wish I was there to get one! At 590$ I'd probably take a brand new FPI 16 BAJ too (of course, if the prices were in today's money!). And apparently, they had no 1965 Rollermatic washers remaining to be discounted! I'm wondering for how much my Super Mobile top loading dishwasher would have sold. The fancier DeLuxe top loading model was advertised and it sold for much less than the front loading Super DWSMJ (I think it's the one with the annoying timer that couldn't be advanced manually).

 

[rp2813]

If the actual drain tubing freezes over -- usually the drain opening in the bottom of the freezer is where this happens -- there's a fairly common, simple and effective remedy.  You'll need to access the evaporator coil on the rear freezer wall.  Identify the defrost heater element.  Take a length of copper wire (I think I used 10 gauge) and wrap one end around the lowest section of the heater element over the drain, and position the other end about an inch or two down into the center of the drain hole.  The copper will conduct heat into  the drain opening and keep it clear.  I had this issue with my '70 Whirlpool and the copper wire solved the problem.

 

[58limited]

PhilR,

 

My '58 Limited has been converted to the variable pitch dynaflow, but I have a complete flight pitch set up should I decide to ever put it back in. I've driven one Limited with a flight pitch, it performed well.

 

I've been running the fridge over the holiday and so far so good. BUT, its out in the garage where it is 45-53 degrees. It is very humid out there too. I'll know more when we get a warming spell, or when I move it into my house.

 

[simplicity345]

info FPI-16TM

on This refrigerator Model It Should Read Like This And Possible I May Be Able To Help You Out With Your Problem They Made This Two Times With Rivisions And Here Is How The Model Should Read FPI-16TM*2 Or FPI-16TM*3 And This Refrigerator Was Made In Two Years 1983 And 1984 And This Was The Time Of WCI Division Of Frigidaire And I May Have Some Parts For This To Fix Your Problem And Also I Have Parts For Older Frigidaire Appliances And Some Of The Tappan Line Ane Very Little On Maytag , Whirlpool , Easy, Phico Dexter , And Also Some Magic Chef.

 

[58limited]

Thanks for the reply, but so far it is working fine with no problems - I think it just needed to be unplugged for a few days to let the drain lines thaw.

 

[lokringbob]

Mold or Mildew

On a few of my old refrigerators, I also had this problem with the drain hose freezing.
I found in addition to the lines freezing, they'd have mold and mildew blocking them. I used my shop vac to form as tight a seal as possible on the hose end either by the evaporator pan or by the opening in the freezer. The vacuum suction alone pulled a lot of the crap out. Then, I poured a mild solution of bleach and hot water though the line. After getting the hose cleaned, I never had the problem again.
If you remove the floor of the freezer to get access, I bet you'd find a lot of crap under the floor pan. Food scraps tend to fall through the vet holes at the front of the freezer.

 

[58limited]

Yep, I found some black-eyed peas and other stuff under the floor pan.

 

[moderncleveland]

Is this problem generally fixed by cleaning the freezer compartment floor?

We have this problem on our beer fridge, which is a non vintage (late 2000s or so era) Frigidaire by Electrolux. It was dripping like CRAZY to the point where a plastic cup set in the right place in the fridge would get filled every week. I emptied it and unplugged it, and now that it's back together I see that a LITTLE bit of water is still dripping down, but not much. It was really hard to suck anything out of the freezer. I couldn't find a way to get into the floor of the compartment. I think I'll try it again with one of my extra long suction hoses and see if that makes a difference...

 

[moderncleveland]

Update: I carefully unscrewed the back wall of the freezer compartment, carefully checked the drain line ... it's pretty wide, and it seemed all clear. Still getting some water dripping.