Any refrigerator repair experts here? Insulation question...

[MuseChaser]

So, my wife (and I do so love her) jam packed the freezer of our top-freezer Kenmore fridge/freezer again, blocking the vents, and caused an ice jam which took out the motor that circulates air in the freezer. I've replaced the motor and tested it.. everything works.. but in the process I had to remove a bunch of the foil-faced insulation glued to the back of the back liner panel of the freezer which covered the bracket that holds the fan motor. The insulation (some kind of 1/4" foil faced plastic foam cell stuff?) had become water logged and frozen, swelling it in places.

What exactly is this stuff called? Is it available with an adhesive-backed foam side? What remains is glued very firmly to the plastic panel... it's tough to get off. How critical is it; is a specific insulation product necessary, or just some insulate it somehow? Would closed-cell foam be better so it doesn't get as water/ice-logged in the future?

HELP! Would love to get this buttoned up today... Thanksgiving's coming...

Appreciate any advice. Pics attached for clarity...

Back of freezer without panel installed....

Front face of back panel in question...

Back of panel, showing remains of insulation on lower half of panel...

Close up of the insulation I had to remove to get at the fan bracket.

 

[bholder]

good luck!

 

[MuseChaser]

Thanks.... (and a cheap desperate bump)..

 

[T_Bone_TL]

I suspect the foil face matters, as it's facing the defrost heater element and

1. Not catching on fire.
2. Trying to keep your food frozen while the coils get the ice melted off them.

Not sure about specific name or source, other than "see what you can find from an appliance parts store" (Or perhaps "does McMaster-Carr have something like this?" since they often have all sorts of weird but useful stuff.)

McMaster-Carr perhaps? Might need some double-stick tape?

 

[MuseChaser]

Thank you. I DID call an appliance parts store, and they said that I'd probably have to order the entire back panel. That's a hard "NO" from me, even if it were to be available for a 10-year-old fridge (or more.. don't recall when we bought it). They also suggested I "search on line" for more info about the insulation. I've been doing that for two days. Sigh. The internet can be very valuable, but it's SOoooo clogged with a gazillion "partsrepair" sites all set up the same, "fixya" sites, "RepairSpecialistWhoNotSpeakEnglish" sites, that trying to find any actual specific info is almost impossible these days. I'll keep trying. At this point, I'll probably end up just grabbing some closed-cell foam insulation, glue it on with spray adhesive or contact cement, then use metal tape for heating systems over it... unless someone has more direct info or advice. I also posted on an appliance repair forum. I'll give it another hour or two, then embark on a tour of all the hardware stores, small and large, in our area. Fun way to spend a Saturday. Maybe a Bloody Mary first... if I can remember which cooler has the tomato juice in it..

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Alright. Please save the drinks for after you drive, eh? Looks like Foil face pipe wrap foam tape will set you back about $7 at the Homely Despot or other hardware store, for 2"x15 feet.

That should oughtta do ya.

 

[Winslow]

They also suggested I "search on line" for more info about the insulation.

Another possible resource that has proven immensely valuable for us is this place:

Appliance Parts Pros.com Discount Appliance Parts – Since 1999

Good parts, quick service, zero nonsense. They've had parts that let us repair a 40+-year-old oven, among other things. You can search by brand and model # to get as specific as possible, or in the case of something basic like fridge/freezer insulation, pretty close to what you're after.

Good luck.

 

[FRoss6788]

Or...

You can try an HVAC wholesale house locally, they'd likely stock something like that.

You're going to want to try and keep the insulation to sheet form with as few seams as possible.

If it's not adhesive backed you can purchase Nashua spray adhesive thats designed for this type of application, No.77 if I'm not mistaken.

 

[MuseChaser]

Thanks for the help. I found a roll of 12" x 1/8" foil-backed adhesive foam, and had some foil tape on hand. 12" width was wide enough not to require a seam. Put on two layers, ran the foil tape around the edges, and she's back together and running. So far so good. I appreciate the helpful bass-player help.. thank you.

 

[FRoss6788]

Just keep your eyes peeled for condensation leaks.

 

[bholder]

this place amazes me.

 

[The Golden Boy]

So, my wife (and I do so love her) jam packed the freezer of our top-freezer Kenmore fridge/freezer again

What's it with broads all stuffing the freezer full of stuff they fully have no intention of ever touching again?