Bosch Frost Free Fridge Freezer Problem

[Stargazer]

I wonder if there are any ex Bpsch engineers who can throw any light on the problem I have had with my frost free fridge freezer every year since I bought it. Ice builds up in the bottom of the freezer compartment. It is supposed to be entirely frost free and I have called out the engineers every year since I had it. I am afraid they will try and charge me for a new motor if the fan has packed up at last.

[SlackAlice]

Are you sure both Fridge and Freezer are classed as Frost Free? You often get a Frost Free Fridge and an ordinary Freezer.

[Stargazer]

Yes it is a Frost free fridge freezer. It has a heating element and a fan but the design was faulty and they had to replace the heating element. However it is still building up ice at the bottom.

[Clanad]

I'm not familiar with the Bosch brand, but nearly all frost free freezer/fridge combos here in the U.S. have a drain in the bottom of the freezer side that drains the melted ice and frost to a pan underneath the machine. This hole sometimes becomes plugged with "gunk"... a quick cleanout with a straightned wire coathangar usually does the job... (don't forget to clean the holding pan since it may smell if you don't. Consult your owner's manual).

[ChuckFickens]

Same for UK one's, Clanad... a good poke with a coat-hanger works wonders.

[Stargazer]

This fridge freezer does not have one of those holes to drain water. It is entirely frost free. That is to say it has a fan and a heating element which is supposed to melt the ice as it forms. The type of defrosting of the kind you refer to is called automatic defrost I believe and that was what I had previously. I had to do that poking a wire down the drain hole to clear it from time to time. I bought this model to avoid all that.

[Burt_Hollocks]

Hi, I just fixed my Bosch fridge freezer which had the same problem - ice building up at the bottom of the freezer. I found a forum which suggested that I should empty the freezer and defrost for 24 hours - so that the blockage would clear. I did this BUT at the same time I had the unit switched off and dragged it out from the wall. I cleaned the metal grill at the back with a hoover crevice tool to remove all of the dust. I removed lots of dust from the wall, floor and under the unit. Then I found the problem. There is a black condenser unit (round metal) at the base of the unit. On top of this is a white plastic tray into which water can drip. (I guess that the condenser generate heat which will evaporate the water). There is a plastic pipe which runs from the bottom of the freezer to this white tray. This pipe was blocked with dust, lime scale, and horrible gunk. I carefully twisted and removed the pipe. Used a long screwdriver the clear it out. Ran it under the bath tap. Note that there is a sleeve over the pipe to protect it from the heat of the fan unit - since the pipe runs under the fan. Then I got a small electrical screwdriver and cleared some more black gunk from the outlet at the bottom of the freezer. As I got further in I reached ice. So I left it to thaw and drained the water from the pipe occasionally. I also cleared dust and lime scale from the white plastic tray as this as where the dust got into the pipe. It's done the trick and the freezer is fine now. I'll also mention that my electricity readings went sky high while there was a problem so get it done soon. Hope this fixes your problem. If you need more info post here and I'll try to help.

[ryemead]

I had the same problem on a Siemens fridge/freezer and it is the fan that is located at the top behind the ice maker. You have to remove light, pull ice dispenser, remove ice maker un plug electrics as you go and then remove cover and replace fan. The job is a bit fiddly, when freezer is closed you can hear fan running or if you open the freezer and push the light switch in it should also run.
Best to download diagrams which are available on the makers site with exploded views and part numbers, fan cost £45.00.