Is this very very minor imperfection to back of new fridge anything to worry about?

sourpuss2021

I just got a new Hotpoint fridge-freezer delivered today.  I've noticed that a couple of the metal strands on the back are bent, severed or missing. Is this something worth contacting the supplier about?   Could it affect the heat distribution in some way?

The fridge is plugged in (after being left to stand for three hours) and seems to have reached the correct temperature though I didn't measure in the exact spot.  

I'm guessing it's nothing to worry about and the coolness circulates through the fridge anyway.  Sorry if so for even making you read this .

This is the extent of it:
  

BUFF

I absolutely would let the supplier know. It potentially could give them/the manufacturer a get out from warranty repair should it need it for something down the line.

casper_gutman

I can't believe it will make any difference in practice. I'd mention it to the supplier though - in my experience some will likely offer a discount. I'd consider say 20% off a good result, as the damage will be invisible and won't affect performance in any measurable way.

sourpuss2021

Okay great I will let them know. That's a good point you make about not invalidating the warranty, thank you!  There is a sticker on the front saying to phone Hotpoint for a 10 year guarantee.

I got it from AO.   I had another appliance from them recently which arrived with half a dozen dents and scratches.  After emailing them photos and discussing on the phone they had me a replacement within a few days.   

But there are about 20 steps and stairs from the street up into my flat, so if the damage to this fridge-freezer won't impede its function then I'll keep it.  And save their drivers some back ache!

casper_gutman

Sounds sensible. I'd be more worried if the actual tubes carrying refrigerant (the wider black metal bits on the back there) were damaged, as a leak would obviously be a serious problem!

sourpuss2021

casper_gutman said:

Sounds sensible. I'd be more worried if the actual tubes carrying refrigerant (the wider black metal bits on the back there) were damaged, as a leak would obviously be a serious problem!

Oh now I remember when they got it upstairs there was a puddle of brown liquid on the wooden hallway floor and the landing outside my flat.   There was enough of it that I had to get a roll of kitchen paper to mop it up.

I told myself that it must have come from the old fridge that they took away for recycling.  Though it had been defrosted for over a week and hadn't leaked anything when stationary.

But might this mean it's actually the new fridge which produced the brown liquid?  Is there any way I can check myself if it's the tubes that have leaked?

I should have asked the drivers where the liquid had come from!  But I was just pleased they'd got the fridge up all the stairs. They removed the packaging in the street then carried it up. 

For what it's worth the fridge has reached the specified 2c and the rapid freezer section is at -11c.

sourpuss2021

Though the old fridge did likely have a broken compressor and had died a dramatic death a few weeks ago.  Thread here!:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6312192/almost-dead-miele-fridgefreezer-repair-or-replace

FreeBear

sourpuss2021 said: Oh now I remember when they got it upstairs there was a puddle of brown liquid on the wooden hallway floor and the landing outside my flat.   There was enough of it that I had to get a roll of kitchen paper to mop it up.

I told myself that it must have come from the old fridge that they took away for recycling.  Though it had been defrosted for over a week and hadn't leaked anything when stationary.

If it was a "frost free" fridge, there was probably a container mounted on to of the coolant pump, On the frost free cycle, this container would fill up with icky water and evaporate when the pump was running. Defrosting it, the container would have filled up and got spilt when the fridge was tipped on its side.

Highly unlikely the replacement would have had any water sloshing about unless it had been stored outside in the rain. You would have noticed rust spots if it had... Certainly not a coolant leak - Fridge/freezers use a gas, so wouldn't leave a puddle.

casper_gutman

What FreeBear said.

Also, the main refrigerant used these days R-410A boils at something like -50⁰C unless it's pressurised, so there wouldn't be a puddle to mop up! Plus, if there was a leak in the refrigerant system significant enough to leave a puddle on the floor, the fridge wouldn't work.

I'm sure it's fine!

sourpuss2021

Thank you both for your reassuring explanation!   It's the first time I've had a new fridge .

The deep freeze section of the freezer is certainly working!

Section62

sourpuss2021 said:

Is this something worth contacting the supplier about?   Could it affect the heat distribution in some way? 

I would say 'yes' it is worth contacting the supplier as that damage is a lot more than a "very very minor imperfection".

The 'wire' parts would have been welded to the refrigerant circulation pipe (the bendy tube) and should be in more or less straight lines.

To get into the state they are means that considerable force has been applied - either by dropping or something falling on it.  The force was sufficient not just to bend the wires, but also to break the welds.

The damage is not likely to have a very significant on the cooling function, but the problem is not knowing what damage has been done to the refrigerant circulation pipe.  That damage could be latent (e.g. microscopic cracks) which means the fridge freezer works fine now, but after repeated heating/cooling cycles the cracks could propagate and allow the refrigerant to leak.

Unless you report the damage now then if you later need to make a warranty claim you will need to argue that the damage was like that when the fridge freezer was delivered, and not something which has happened during your ownership.  The easiest way of placing that information 'on record' is to report it to the supplier (and Hotpoint) and ask for their advice on what should be done next.

Personally I'd only be happy with an undamaged replacement.

casper_gutman said:

Also, the main refrigerant used these days R-410A...

Are Hotpoint really still using R-410A in their domestic fridges and freezers?

I would have thought it was more likely Pentane or Butane - which being flammable is one reason why I wouldn't accept a fridge with that level of damage to the refrigerant circulation system.

The OP can easily check since as well as being in the instruction manual there should be a prominent label on the outside of the fridge freezer declaring what refrigerant is used in it.