By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Scrub Brush
- Soap
- Dollar Bill
- Cord Caulk
- Replacement Gasket
- Screwdriver, or nut driver and socket
Inspecting and cleaning a door gasket
Step1
Inspect the gasket for dirt or debris that could prevent it from sealing. If you find any, remove the large debris, then wash the gasket, using a scrub brush and warm, soapy water.
Step2
Check the gasket for cracks or tears that can let cold air escape. If you find any, replace the gasket. If the gasket appears to be solid, go on to step 3.
Step3
Check the seal: Open the door, insert a dollar bill partway and shut the door on the bill. Try to pull out the bill. You should feel some resistance. Repeat the test at several points around each door. If the bill slips out easily, replace the gasket.
Replacing a door gasket
Step1
Remove the old gasket. It is held to the refrigerator by screws and a retainer strip that runs around all four sides of the door. Lift the lip of the gasket so you can see the screws. Loosen but do not remove the screws, using a screwdriver or a nut driver and socket. Pull the gasket from the retainer strip.
Step2
Buy a replacement gasket--and a package of cord caulk--at an appliance store.
Step3
Prepare the new gasket for installation: Soak it in warm water to soften it. Then place a 2-inch (5-cm) strip of cord caulk at each corner of the door where the gasket will sit. This will keep the gasket from curling at the corners when it's installed.
Step4
Install the new gasket: Slip the bead on the back of the gasket under the retainer strip. Tighten the retainer screws. Do the top and the bottom, then the sides. Make sure the gasket is straight and flat when you're done.
Step5
Close the door and check that the new gasket is touching on all four sides. If it isn't, the door has twisted while the gasket screws were loose, and you'll need to adjust it.
Step6
To adjust the door, loosen the retainer screws slightly, then grab the door at opposite corners and push or pull to remove the twist. Tighten the screws, then shut the door and recheck alignment. If the door still appears warped, repeat the process.
Comments
timle said
on 1/9/2008 My 3 year old refrigerator make loud noise when it go to the cycle and just stop working..no cooling at all. I turned it off for a day and it will work for a few weeks and the loud noise come back when the auto switch on/off.
Any one has any idea where to look for the problem? thanks
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 After years of operation, dust can accumulate on the heat exchanger which will inhibit the dissipation of heat and reduce efficiency. Depending on the type of refrigerator, this will either be a large tubing grate on the back of the refrigerator or tucked up underneath. Simply vacuum the accumulated dust.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Make sure the light goes out when you close the door. Check at night when the kitchen is dark. Just pull back a bit of the gasket. It should be dark in there. Thirty years in the repair business and I found this a few times. You'll be surprised how much heat a bulb can add. Milk usually spoils first.