2006-10-01 04:58:32 · 17 answers · asked by Joe E 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The refrigerant liquid is not in its normal position. The compressor may not work properly if turned on. Unless there is a leak in the system, laying on the side should not cause damage for storage. You should put the fridge back in normal position and wait for several hours before plugging it back in though.
2006-10-01 05:03:00 · answer #1 · answered by Warren914 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't damage it per se, but you have to stand the refrigerator upright WITHOUT PLUGGING IT IN for like 24 hours or so before you can use it, IF the refrigerator has been laying on its side.
The reason for this is that the freon (the liquid gas that makes the fridge get cold) takes awhile to seep back down into the circulating tank if the refrigerator has been on its side. Freon is not like water, so it doesn't just run back down immediately when the fridge is upright again.
If you're installing a new fridge it's better to keep it upright the entire time-- then you can just plug it in and start using it immediately.
2006-10-01 05:04:44 · answer #2 · answered by Scarlett_156 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you need to transport a ref. by laying it down on its side or back---say in the bed of a truck--then you should know these pointers: Take out anything inside the ref. that might break >> this would include glass shelves inside,etc. and all the food .Lay a blanket in the truck bed so as not to damage the surface of the ref. and slide it in.If you are using a appliance dolly--you can lay the ref. down with the dolly still strapped to it and transport. When you get where you"re going--take the ref. and let it stand upright for a little while--say 15 mins. Then plug it in to operate in a normal manner. This gives time for the compressor oil to drain back down into the compressor from the copper freon lines.The "compression valve" inside the compressor can be damaged by this oil "sludding it"-- it is designed to handle vapors--not liquids. So--if you don"t dent/break anything in the move, and you let the box stand upright for a short while (to drain)---then you will be in good shape.
2006-10-01 05:51:47 · answer #3 · answered by Spock 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can be laid on its side for transport, moving, etc. But it should not be stored on its side for extended periods of time. The oil that is in the compressor will drain and migrate out of the compressor. You need to have it upright for as long as possible if it was on its side for a long time, or for 2-3 days if stored on its side for a short period, and it would be best to have it upright in a warmer ambient temperature. This will ensure that the oil is not thick from being in a colder temp, and also to ensure that the refrigerant will not liquid slug in the compressor.
2006-10-01 14:17:33 · answer #4 · answered by jollygreen60 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the oil that is supposed to be on the bottom of the compressor is now on the side of the compressor, so to speak, if the oil gets in the compression chamber it can lock the compressor up and burn it out, supposedly if you stand the fridge upright for a lenght of time, I forget how long the oil will return to the bottom. Me myself I wouldn't take the chance
2006-10-01 05:06:19 · answer #5 · answered by zak_z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a refrigerator lays on it's side the oil runs out of the compressor. When you stand it back up and turn it on, you not only run it without oil, but you slam the valves with liquid (they are not designed to pump liquid), and can knock out the valves. If you give the unit 24 hours to allow the oil to flow back to where it is supposed to be you can then run the unit as usual. You can lay it down, but wait before plugging it back in,... Signed HVACR tech. jross
2006-10-01 06:22:11 · answer #6 · answered by jrossacts1126 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If conceivable keep it upright. also, keep it close off a minimum of 24 hours once you flow it. which will keep it operating suited and could no longer kill it early. The freon interior desires time to equillbriate. in case you do not have one, get a 2 wheeler, makes each little thing a lot a lot less complicated!
2016-11-25 20:33:12 · answer #7 · answered by hariwon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spock is exactly right, try to lay the refrigerator on the side were the oil will not drain into the copper lines.
2006-10-01 09:53:21 · answer #8 · answered by gdwrnch40 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i repaired and delivered appliances for 5 yrs,and no it does not hurt to lay them on their sides,as long as u let it stand unplugged from 30mins-2hrs depending how far u had to take it,doint this allows the freon to build back up
2006-10-01 05:49:26 · answer #9 · answered by rowdy01822 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, but before you turn it back on, make sure the compressor is free floating on it rubber pads...sometimes the compressor can get hung up and make noise when the fridge is turned over. good luck
2006-10-01 05:00:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋