Refrigerator Gas Leakage — Symptoms, Causes and Repair Guide for Dhaka

Gas leakage is the most misunderstood refrigerator problem I encounter in Dhaka. Customers call saying “I need a gas refill” when what they actually need is a leak repair followed by a gas recharge. Skipping the repair step and just adding gas is like pouring water into a bucket with a hole — it will hold for a few days, then you are right back where you started.

In 9 years of running Ripon Refrigeration Works Ltd., I have repaired gas leaks in every brand and model available in Bangladesh. This guide covers everything you need to know — the symptoms, the causes, the repair process, and what it actually costs.

Types of Refrigerant Gas Used in Bangladesh

Before talking about leaks, you need to know what is actually inside your fridge. There are two types of refrigerant gas used in the Bangladeshi market:

8 Clear Symptoms of Refrigerator Gas Leakage

Gas leaks do not happen suddenly (usually). They develop slowly over weeks or months. Here are the signs to watch for, in order of how early they appear:

1Fridge takes longer to cool — You put groceries in and notice the fridge is not reaching its normal temperature as quickly as it used to. This is the earliest sign and the one most people ignore.

2Compressor runs longer than before — With less gas in the system, the compressor has to work harder and run longer cycles to maintain temperature. If your compressor seems to never stop running, low gas could be the reason.

3Freezer cools but fridge section does not — In frost-free models, reduced gas pressure affects the fridge section first because it is further from the compressor in the refrigerant circuit.

4Ice buildup on the evaporator coil (frost-free models) — Low gas causes the evaporator temperature to drop unevenly, leading to excessive frost in some areas. This is different from normal defrost system issues.

5Oil stains under or behind the fridge — Refrigerant oil circulates with the gas. When gas leaks out, oil escapes too and leaves dark, greasy stains on the floor or the back panel. This is a definitive sign.

6Hissing sound from inside or back — If the leak is significant, you might hear a faint hissing sound, especially when the compressor is running and pressurizing the system.

7Compressor is hot but fridge is warm — The compressor runs and gets hot (because it is working against low gas pressure) but the fridge does not cool because there is not enough refrigerant to absorb heat.

8Complete cooling failure — The final stage. Enough gas has escaped that the refrigeration cycle cannot function at all. The fridge is at room temperature.

Why Gas Leaks Happen — Common Causes

Evaporator Coil Corrosion (Most Common)

The evaporator coil sits inside the freezer compartment, usually hidden behind a panel. In Bangladesh, the combination of high humidity and frequent power cuts creates condensation that can lead to corrosion over years, especially on steel or aluminum coils. This is the number one cause of gas leaks we see at Ripon Refrigeration Works Ltd.

Copper Joint Fatigue

The refrigerant pipes have multiple soldered joints. Years of compressor vibration cause micro-fractures at these joints. This is a slow process — the leak might take months to become noticeable.

Physical Damage During Transport or Cleaning

Someone accidentally punctures the evaporator coil while scraping ice with a sharp tool (very common with direct-cool models), or the fridge gets bumped hard during moving, damaging a pipe joint.

Steel Body Rust Penetration

In some fridge models, the evaporator coil is embedded in the freezer wall (foam-in-place type). If the outer steel body rusts through, moisture reaches the coil and causes corrosion from the outside in.

Factory Defects

Rare, but we do see fridges that develop leaks within the warranty period due to poor soldering at the factory. If your fridge is under warranty, contact the manufacturer first — but if they are unresponsive, we can still help with professional fridge gas leak repair in Dhaka.

How Technicians Detect Gas Leaks

Finding the exact leak point is the most critical step. Here is what we do:

• Visual inspection — Check for oil stains on pipes, joints, and the floor
• Soap bubble test — Apply a soap solution to all joints and watch for bubbles forming (indicates gas escaping)
• Electronic leak detector — A handheld device that senses refrigerant gas concentration in the air. We move it along all pipes and joints to pinpoint the leak.
• Nitrogen pressure test — For slow leaks that are hard to find, we pressurize the system with nitrogen and monitor the pressure gauge. A drop in pressure confirms a leak exists, and combined with soap bubbles, helps locate it.

The Complete Repair Process

Proper gas leak repair is not a 10-minute job. Here is what a thorough repair looks like:

1Recover remaining gas — Any refrigerant still in the system is recovered using a recovery machine. It should never be released into the atmosphere.

2Locate and mark the leak point — Using the detection methods above.

3Repair the leak — For copper joint leaks, we cut out the bad joint and re-solder. For corroded evaporator coils, we either patch the specific area or replace the coil section depending on the damage extent.

4Replace the filter drier — This is critical and often skipped by low-cost technicians. The filter drier absorbs moisture and contaminants. When the system has been open (due to a leak), the drier is saturated and MUST be replaced before recharging gas. Skipping this step causes future compressor damage.

5Pull vacuum — The system is connected to a vacuum pump for 30-45 minutes. This removes all air and moisture from inside the pipes. Moisture inside the system mixes with refrigerant to form acid, which destroys the compressor from the inside.

6Charge correct gas amount — Refrigerant is charged by weight, not by pressure gauge alone. Each fridge model requires a specific amount (stamped on the rating label). Overcharging or undercharging both reduce cooling efficiency and compressor life.

7Test run and verify — The fridge is run for 30+ minutes while monitoring temperature drop, compressor amperage, and frost pattern on the evaporator. Everything must be within specifications before we leave.

Gas Leak Repair Cost in Dhaka (2025)

These costs include labor, materials, and gas. We provide a fixed quote before starting — no hidden charges. For complete details on all our appliance repair and maintenance services, visit our services page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ripon Ahmed

Founder of Ripon Refrigeration Works Ltd. Expert in refrigerator gas leak detection and repair with over 9 years of hands-on experience across Dhaka.

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