[skydriver]

Guys, I know there is wealth of information here other than diecast, and hoping some of you might be able to give me some suggestions/advice. Our current refrigerator is 10 years old and has had a small leak for about 2 weeks. The service man came out today and said our defrost thermostat needs to be replaced. I have to believe him because I do know that we are constantly getting a sheet of ice forming on the bottom shelf of the freezer.

The cost to replace the thermostat is going to be $342.00. Or for about $1300.00 I can just buy a new stainless steel refrigerator to match the dishwasher I had to replace a year ago. The only other problem is the icemaker sometimes does not make crushed ice, which to be honest is something I like, but not enough to spend $ to fix. ( I also like when the wife takes the crushed ice and puts it in her mouth and then.....sorry got carried away there).

I honestly don't now how long a refrigerator should last, but the one in my mom's home is probably 20 years old.

I figure I can always keep the current refrigerator in my garage as a 3rd one, as the leak would not do damage to the garage floor, or possibly sell it for about $200.00 to someone who knows how to fix it or will pay to fix it.

What would you recommend. Fix or replace

Thanks

[Captain Eddie]

I really don't know what to tell you, but I would not expect to get any more than 20 years from a fridge, probably less.

I know our local Sears Outlet has some pretty good prices on appliances.

Also, from what I understand, a new fridge would probably use less electricity than the older one.

[Epapazian]

My last one is still going strong after 15 years. My policy is always to get a new one rather than trying to fix the old geezer. Once the basic parts start to go, there' s no telling when the next shoe will drop. Good luck.

[timbo]

I agree that you never know what will go wrong next and when. $300 is still allot to throw at a 10 year old item. How much would it be to get the bit and fit it your self? I be a lot cheaper than getting the repairman to do it, and it shouldn't be that expensive to get the bit. If you know whats wrong you should be able to track the spare down on the web.

I would seriously look at replacing - probably a good time of year (ie Black Friday) to go visiting your local Sears and see what they have on offer.

Different appliance example here but consumer reports reckoned that washing machines that old are not worth fixing. I would assume that the same rule of thumb should be used for fridges. Also new ones will be somewhat more energy efficient than the old.

[Nockers]

You may want to check the defrost timer or the defrost heater in the freezer compartment one of them may have gone bad. A timer is easy to replace.On mine it is at the back bottom of the refridge all it does is turn on the defrost heater that melts the ice that drains into a pan at the bottom of your fridge.and then it just evaps. My old admiral has a drain plug in the refride section and somtimes it gets clogged it is hidden under the bottom drawers of my fridge.Check with an appliance parts place, maybe they can give you a few hints as to what your problem may be.
Also take a trip to your local book store grab a book on appliance repair sit down read a little on the old ice box put the book back, then make up your mind

[jim]

Jims Motto , never mix new with old, it never works, ask Lorraine!

[chiefs70]

Well, all I can say is if you buy a new one do NOT buy a Frigidaire. Shoddy workmanship and built in such a manner as to require multiple good parts be replaced along with the bad in order to fix an issue. My appliance repairman said they are blessing to his trade but he recommends we never buy another - he recommended Whirlpool and GE (he doesn't sell them he just fixes 'em ).

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by jim

Jims Motto , never mix new with old, it never works, ask Lorraine!

Golly, Jim, I didn't know Lorraine was OLD!

[Captain Eddie]

Skydiver, I know Consumer Reports show a pretty good repair record for Kenmore refrigerators also

[JustPlaneNuttz]

We were in a similar situation last year. How I dealt with it was: New fridge (yup -- Sears) and sold the old one to a guy who had more time than I to hunt out parts to repair it himself. I got $175 for mine. If you have the time and want to take the repair on as a challenge, still get the new one. I needed to keep my Revellos frozen!!!

Good luck!