Ice on food items inside packages. No cooling problems noted. Type of packaging or food makes no difference. What would cause this ice build-up and how do I correct the problem.

An ice build up around the top of the door aperture isn't unusual due to some cold dense air from inside will spill out when the door is opened to be replaced with humid lighter outside air that will tend to remain at the top for a while.

Being frost free doesn't exclude it from this type of ice build up as only ice formed over the evaporator during a cooling cycle will be melted by the defrost heater.

Persistent localised ice build up could be a sign of failing insulation but this will be marked by a cold spot on the outside of the cabinet.

Unplug the drain tube by shooting hot water down it with a turkey baster. It is located underneath the evaporator.

Hi Dale Dibb, thank you for your inquiry!

I understand that the food inside of your Frigidaire freezer is getting frost on the inside of the packages. I would recommend turning the temperature up inside of your freezer. Additionally moisture inside of the package would cause frost to develop on the inside of the food packages.

Please assure that all possible moisture has been removed out of the food packages prior to placing the items inside of the freezer. If there is anything else that I can help you with, please feel free to reconnect! -Matt

Check that all vent areas are clear of any dust or food packaging. If you have ice build up it needs to be thawed out also because it will only continue freezing until it gets proper airflow.

You either have a faulty thermostat, a loose connection or most likely a build up of ice inside the freezer. I had the same problem. Almost replaced fridge. Took all the food out one day, took out the racks and disassembled bottom and rear and found a two foot log block of ice inside air return. Removed ice everything works perfectly.

The refrigerator is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour period. If one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails, the refrigerator continues to try to cool. Eventually, though, so much frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited. Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor, or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets.Here's an inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is with the self-defrosting system. Remove all of the perishable food from the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator to Off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. (Be sure to have several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually." When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the thermostat back to a normal setting. If the refrigerator then cools properly, it indicates a problem with one of three components in the self-defrosting system: The defrost timer The defrost thermostat (also called the bi-metal switch) The defrost heater. To determine if the defrost heater is burned out, watch this part testing video

Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly.
There are 12 midelos that fall under the model number you passed. I will cite EV171NYMQ05 as a reference model number via this link:
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5140769

The freezer fan should be on anytime the compressor is on. If there is an ice block built up on the evaporator coils it can lock the fan blade in place via the ice build up. Additionally... if the fan motor bearings are dry or coated with sludge this too can prevent the fan motor from operating. The fan motor is item 3 this link: http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5140769&diagram_id=28174432#d28174432

Detail views:
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/Appliance-Parts/whirlpool-motor-evap-item-number-ap4539455.aspx

To check the can motor all that is required is a simple continuity check across the 2 connector wires. You should read under 480 ohms.

If you discover that the fan blades are encased in ice... do a manual defrost: (be ready to tend to a water mess)
1. By first unplugging the unit and then removing the freezer contents.
2. Direct an external fan into the freezer compartment for just over 2 hours.
3. Make sure the compartement drain funnel is clear of obstructions. Item 11 this link: http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5140769&diagram_id=28158051#d28158051

After the 2 hour manual defrost period plug in the unit and test to see if the fan motor is running.
If it is running you may have an automatic defrost problem causing the ice build up. On a freezer the ice build up will start again if there is an automatic defrost problem in 3 - 5 days. Until the automatic defrost problem is corrected you will end up doing the manual defrost routine described above everytime you have improper cooling problems.

Components that can cause the automatic defrosting problems are
1. The defrost timer item 7 this link: http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5140769&diagram_id=28257341#d28257341 Because it is not cycling or stuck in one position.
2. The defrost bi-metal thermostat item 9 above link (stuck closed)
3. The defrost heating element item 5 above link. (open)
And of course internal wiring....

Check the fan motor for continuity... if you attempt to lubricate it which is very difficult on this fan motor make sure you use paraffin based "Turbine oil" and not a regular household or automotive oil. Using any other oil will cause the fan to stop working in as little as 30 days.
Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Sounds like air infiltration gasket issue or power outage? proper freezer bags will stop the burning.

This is the moisture coming out of the food. It is what causes freezer burn.

The problem is made worse in frost free models by the defrost cylce. Best way to slow it down is to use vacuum bags or freezer bags. Also above 0 F food deterioates faster and below it gets freezer burn and the moisture problem faster.

Make sure nothing is inhibiting air flow. I don't think it is advisable to store food in an ice machine however that is not likely the problem unless the food itself is inhibiting air flow. Most ice machine manufacturers recommend against storing any food in an ice machine. If there is a freezer component in you model the check to see if the evaporator coils are frosting up and the frost is blocking airflow causing the ice storage chamber to get warm. High humidity can cause frosting. Leaving a door to the ice maker open too long can cause frosting. A low refrigerant charge can do this although it seems logically like it should not. With a very slightly low charge one end of the evaporator gets super cold and the other end is not cold enough. Frosts starts collecting on the super cold end and accumulates across the evaporator coil to the other end eventually blocking all air flow. With too much humidity from open doors frost accumulates over the entire evaporator evenly but still blocks. You shut the unit down. It thaws out and works OK on restart until frost again builds up. If its not a frosting problem but it just stops making ice then the ice may not be releasing. Check the water supply and change any filters to insure good water flow. A good water supply is required for proper release and harvest of the ice in many ice machines. If the ice doesn't release it takes a shut down and thaw to clear the suspended ice out. Check for these things and write back if you need further assistance and can provide me with more details.