General Electric Frost Guard Refrigerator

[oliger]

After an ages long search for the perfect refrigerator, I finally found one. A mid-late 60's GE Frost Guard. I have a couple of questions though. There had to have been gallons of water built up in the cabinet that leaked out when moving it. What in the world makes that happen?
Second There is a burn in the plastic in the back of the freezer, and the fan looks melty. The fan no longer runs also. What should I do about this?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Pictures my friend, we need to see pictures. Plus what is the model number? As for the water, it might be from ice build-up on the evaporator coils, although it would not produce "gallons". The evaporator fan is toast as well, perhaps from the ice build up on the evaporator coils forced it to stall, thus overheat then burnout. You'll need a new fan, but first you have to address the reason for the ice build up. Regardless, you've come to the right place.

 

[oliger]

The fan is dead. It looks to me like the defrost got stuck on at one time. The source of water is the drain at the bottom of the freezer. Its covered in insulation, and it feels like a wet sponge. Ive had freezers this small without a fan, and the refrigerator has coils of its own, so what is the fan for? How well will it work if i cant find a replacement?

 

[combo52]

Wet Insulation

You have to pull the whole ref apart which involves taking both doors off laying the whole thing on its back pulling everything out including both dinners and replace all wet and damaged insulation.

 

I have done it in the past, it is a big messy job, in addition you have to seal everything perfectly and fix any drain problems etc, you will have to have a lot of skills and determination to pull this off on a ref this old. The ref will never work correctly with wet insulation under the freezer compartment, even if you could dry it out it is all compressed from being wet for so long it would not be effective.

 

Some of the other refs being talked about like Louis in NY were more advanced models that already have foam insulation and do not develop this problem.

 

John L.

 

[oliger]

Thank you, I already fixed the drain issue. There was a plug right below this that was never removed. I believe that there probably was a plug in the hole at the bottom of the freezer at one time. And yes, the insulation is soaked. I imagine the water probably has something to do with the burns too. Does anybody know where I can source a replacement fan?

 

[sfh074]

Something like this .....

should be adaptable without too much trouble.

C Frame Utility Motor Kit/ 120 V 3000 rpm

C Frame Utility Motor Kit/ 120 V 3000 rpm. Usually ships in 1 day. Buy it and Save at Globalindustrial.com

www.globalindustrial.com

 

[Ultramatic]

Handsome refrigerator!

 

 

It looks like a 1963 or 1964 model. The freezer door swings out? I always thought that in these models they rolled out. It's a big project, but not impossible. Please keep us informed on your progress.

 

[oliger]

Yes, the freezer door swings out, the wire basket inside swings out too. I also have one of the original metal ice trays. It is a smaller 30 inch wide model. I will still be looking for another because it is smaller than I am looking for, but it will work fine until then. I think I will try to dry out the insulation best as I can and definitely replace the drain plug before replacing insulation. somebody pulled out the plug, but left the one right below that, so water was just collecting in there for who knows how many years.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

I have a very similar model. I think if you're going to go through all that trouble with the insulation, you might as well replace it with new insulation. It will also run much more efficiently as John implied. Amazing that the plug was never removed, soaked insulation would certain soak up a lot of water. Can you post some pictures of the interior and the manufacturers I.D. tag? The tag is usually behind one of the crisper drawers.

 

[oliger]

I was not joking when i said gallons. It was like dumping out a swimming pool.

 

[cfz2882]

fan

I might have that exact fan in my salvaged freezer fans box-I could dig if you are interested in authentic replacement parts Otherwize a substitute should be easy to come up with.

 

[oliger]

Absolutely I am interested. I feel confident that a used old fan will last longer than a new one. What's your price?

 

[cfz2882]

i'll look this weekend when temperatures are bearable in the spares shed Do you know if the fan motor is still good?

 

[oliger]

My fan motor is definitely not good. It has a large crack in the metal casing.

 

[oliger]

cfz2882

Thank you, but I found someone with a replacement. It sounds like you wouldn't want to be searching in the heat anyhow. Your help was appreciated.

 

[cfz2882]

cool

I'll still check if I have that fan when I'm in the shed sat.morning-will be checking for a WP fan also.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Hi Jon. I thought you might like to know, if I am reading your serial number correctly, your refrigerator was manufactured on July, 1964.

 

[oliger]

ultramatic

Thank you, I was wondering the age. Have you seen any others with the non-roll out freezer?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Only Hotpoint, a 1960 model. I had no idea General Electric was making two different types of bottom mounted freezer doors.