Why does my refriderator need monthly defrosting?

It is about 8 years old, the door gaskets seem good, but the back of the freezer ices up and blocks off the air flow to the refriderator section. I hesitate to call for service, paying someone $115 to tell me I need a new fridge is getting old. So... do I need a new fridge, or is this possibly repairable?

Is there water collecting in the pan? Could be that the drain is plugged but then you usually have water dripping inside. I clean out the drain about once a year.

Maybe the heater element on the auto-defrost is not working. Cheap fix.

Thanks, the drain hole is definately clear, must be that other thingy you mentioned.

You need a new fridge.
That will be $114.00 : )

If not the element, then the timer. Still a cheap fix.

Last time I had a fridge do that it needed door gaskets and put it outside for three days in August because there was solid ice all through and around the insulation. (drain kept freezing up)

Top freezer or side by side? What brand? I will say bad defrost bi-metal. I sell a ton of them.

I have a 3 year old side by side. I'm in the same boat with the iced up issue. I figure it is either the element or the thermo-switch. It doesn't ice as bad when I turn the furnace mounted humidifier down.
I also dread the call. I just spend 180 for a call to replace a 12 dollar part on my 300 dollar vented microwave.

Aww shucks.

Peace

Just pull everything out of the freezer. Should be some screws to take the inner rear panel off. Once you see the bi-metal 95% of them will be popped up out of the metal casing when bad. Easy job. Should be able to purchase locally at your appliance parts dealers. Give me your model # and I will give you the part #.

Where do you find the Bimetal on an Amana bottom freezer model BX22? I'm in the same boat & it's really getting old!

Top freezer, Kenmore. If it matters, I will check the model # etc. Thank you for your input.

It is clipped to the evaporator coil. Clear your freezer out, take off panel to get to the coil.

blujacket,

Thanks. I can see that thermoswitch. I'll give that a try. Boy was it frozen up this time.

Model number is asd262rhrb. Amana. I'd appreciate the number for the defrost timer and element just in case.

TIA

clean the coils

Timer 67001036 $42.22

Heater 67004188 $21.10

Bi-mtl. 67004757 $28.15

These are oem part #'s

Blujacket,

Thanks.

SmokinJ, are you meaning the condenser underneath? Is that a tip over procedure? Next refrigerator will not have an under chassis condenser

Your help is appreciated.