Outer back and side of fridge is very hot

Turn it off. If you keep running it, it will die completely fairly soon. Please feel free to jump to the end if you don't want a fridge science lecture - it might help you figure out the problem though. When a fridge/freezer runs, the condenser (all the tubes at the back) will get warm-hot. That is where the heat goes from inside the fridge. First thing to check; is there excessive heat to remove from the fridge/freezer? Check the door seals are ok - cold air falling out of a bad door seal can make a fridge both cool and warm a room at the same time - which obviously leads to problems Check that the lights inside actually go off when you close the door by pressing the switch that the door usually presses when it shuts, and checking that the door will press the switch as far as it needs to go. Second thing; Check that there is adequate ventilation at the back - remember the ideal situation technically for a fridge is to have the bit at the back outside the house in the shade like an air-con unit. pull the fridge a bit more away from the wall and try blowing a fan onto it. Clean gently with a soft brush any dust etc that is on all the tubes at the back - it can cause an insulating coat to form. If the dust is sticky and hard to shift, then gently use a soft paintbrush and warm soapy water. Third thing; When the amount of refrigerant gas in a fridge system is getting low (they all leak a tiny bit all the time - even without any fault) two main things happen: The fridge gas has a lubricant mixed in with it that keeps the inside parts of the system oiled. when the gas is low, so is the oil and you get the same effect as running a car with no oil - runs hot, then dies. The low gas has an effect inside and outside the fridge - inside, near where the gas first enters the evaporator (the plate in the fridge that gets cold) it will get extra cold. the compressed refrigerant evaporates too quickly - easy way to explain is that there is nothing in front of it in the queue so it runs through too quick. the same thing happens in reverse when the gas goes into the condenser at the back, the gas condenses too quickly making the back very hot. I think, from what you say, that low gas is the problem. Although it is not too complicated, it is illegal for you to do it yourself in most places for environmental and safety reasons - get any fridge repair guy and he can do it and check for leaks at the same time. Hope this helps, and is in time to save your fridge :)

A certain amount of heating on the outside is normal (fridges and freezers are effectively an insulated box connected to a heat pump - and the heat has to be pumped to somewhere). If the external heat is getting excessive, you need to consider three possibilities (in order of increasing hassle and expense) 1. Make sure the heat has somewhere to go - ensure there is room for air to circulate around the outside of the fridge and that it isn't sited in front of a radiator (or in a sauna!) 2. Check the doors are properly shut and the seals are OK (because the plant will have to work much harder if the cold air inside is continually getting replaced with warm (note also that the plant in domestic fridges/freezers is sized on the assumption that the door will stay shut most of the time - causing problems when you use them in a commercial environment where the door is continually being opened). Depending on ambient humidity, one clue that you're getting outside air past the door seal might be excessive frosting inside. 3. If neither of the above, the plant may be losing efficiency (perhaps due to a slow leak of refrigerant). You need to monitor the situation carefully as when it comes, the decline into failure to maintain proper cold levels inside tends to come quite suddenly. Investigation and repair needs the right equipment and is usually a job for a pro - get a quote and compare with the cost of a new unit before commiting to anything. A.

If it is running well there is nothing wrong with the fridge. It is supposed to get hot at the back as that is the radiator. If it wernt hot, then you worry. Heat on the sides is normal as those are your mullon heaters used to stop moisture.