If the defrost is broken(sounds like it is), there will be a lot of water when the ice melts. I fixed my own fridge defrost and it was pretty easy except I failed to anticipate all the water and it left an alarmingly large puddle. It was also pretty gross since there was a lot of crumbs and dust bunnies under there.
The odd thing is that I haven’t turned off my fridge yet, but I’ve had to mop up water multiple times a day sometimes. I’m guessing I’ll unplug in about 4-5 days.
Judgement Day is here… I’ve had it on for about 90 minutes, but so far, the fridge is only at 68 F, but I’m going to check on the freezer temperature soon… Just checked, it’s at around 40, but I’m hoping things change soon.
This will be the last update, and sorry for bumping this up again, but I want to also take the time to thank everyone who tried to help.
It didn’t work… Someone told me I should leave the fridge and freezer doors open, and I did for 24 hours… After I plugged it back in, I monitored the situation with a thermometer I bought for this situation, to do a lot of cause/effect, such as messing with the freezer setting, and also the fridge setting.
I ordered some food yesterday from Wal-Mart (so I could throw in the freezer), but they didn’t show up, despite going on the live interactive chat, telling me they were sorry for being late, but that someone was on the way to my house. 45 minutes later, I did the same thing, and was told, “Sorry, it’s too late… Cancel your order, and try again tomorrow”
Since I didn’t have any food except cans, I unplugged it right before bed, but kept the doors of the freezer and fridge closed. I woke up today, and waited a few hours, so it was about 10 hours… It’s 2pm here, and the temperature in the fridge is exactly 60 F, which is where it was a few weeks ago… My plan is to throw fridge food in the freezer, and to try and buy food that doesn’t need refrigeration.
it seems it’s time to get the landlord involved. I know you’re avoiding him, but this is why you pay rent.
StG
Yes, your landlord should replace the fridge. Even if you want to replace it yourself, you probably should get his blessing. But normally, a unit needs to meet minimum standards to be legal to rent, and I’m pretty sure in most jurisdictions that includes a working stove and a working fridge.
As you indicated, it depends on the jurisdiction. However, things like heat and water are always required, appliances sometimes are not. I had family relocate to Georgia, and appliances were not included.
That’s thought #1. Second thought is to give it a thorough, thorough cleaning inside with bleach. You may have mold in the shelving or elsewhere that is quickly contaminating your food.
And do the temperature check after vacuuming and cleaning. Because clean coils do make a huge difference.
I would say that your problem is almost certainly due to a slow leak of coolant gas.
This will make the fridge cool less and less efficiently over time.
It would be possible to get a maintenance person in to re-gas the fridge, but that would only help for a few months. It will gradually get worse again unless the leak is fixed.
It already doesn’t work if he’s measuring temps in the 50s and even 60 inside the thing. That’s not really a fridge, just a storage box.
His freezer still seems to be working to some extent, that’s why I think it’s due to a leakage of coolant gas. That’s the effect it has. There will still be some cooling in the freezer box, but not in the main compartment.
I cleaned outside and inside as recommended earlier…
No one on the lease does it say he’s responsible for appliances, and I’m behind on rent.
If you are behind on rent, I’ll agree that you aren’t in the best position to ask for a new fridge, even if it is your right.
If the rules in your district says you have to have a fridge or stove, I don’t think it have to say on the lease. (Disclaimer: I am not an American and know next to nothing about American laws, someone local may know.).
Is there anywhere you can get a free or cheap, used refrigerator? Craigs list or garage sale? The one you have is a health risk, and probably runs your electricity bill up too.
To be honest, even if I wasn’t behind on rent, I still wouldn’t ask him.
I used to look on Craigslist for free stuff many years ago, but I don’t have a car that runs, and I would have no way of transporting it. Even if it was a few houses down, I have a bad back/body and I’m too out of shape.
Can you afford a repairman? It might just need to be recharged with coolant.
Then start buying a lot of ice…
Really, dude - is it your fridge? Or, did it come with the apartment?
If it’s the latter, they should fix it.
I can’t.
And to answer beowulff, it came with the house… Let me add more context. This “slumlord” (the term people use here; he’s not too bad, actually) owns almost every house in this neighborhood. He doesn’t do a credit check, didn’t even ask for ID, look up foreclosures/evictions, so it’s one of those “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” kinds of things… The last time I contacted him (barking dogs), he cut half this huge pine tree that blocked the view, and it still bothers me.
(This is why I came here… Hoping turning it off would have helped)
My friend, I don’t know your personal situation vis-a-vis employment, money, health, etc. But the implication from your posts is that you are in some poor circumstances. Have you thought about setting up a GoFundMe account and asking the mods if you can post a link on this board? People here have been more than generous in the past in helping out Dopers in need and I’m sure that if your story is at all compelling, would do so again. Something to consider.
I appreciate all the help, but can you please remove the city I’m in… There’s many who follow and love to hold this shit over you (this has happened to me multiple times from other boards, and ways I don’t know how). And there’s only one Mort Sahl fan in this city 
and I want to maintain some level of privacy.
Someone actually mentioned this on here, and I looked into it, and don’t have a way of extracting the money because I can’t have a bank account in the US (student loans, credit cards, multiple garnishments)