I tried to deliver a refrigerator and the customer saw that the refrigerator was lying down in the truck instead of standing up. He refused to accept it, claiming that the compressor would be damaged by having it on its side. I tried to explain that that made no sense, but his friend came to me and also said the same thing.
Is transporting a refrigerator on its side a problem? If so, why?
After referring to some good online resources such this, I know why we shouldn't transport it laying down.
Compressor is filled with oil which is critical to its operation. In the normal upright position gravity keeps the oil in the compressor. When we lay the refrigerator flat, some of the oil can leave the compressor and go into the cooling lines. The oil is a thick viscous fluid and can clog the cooling lines thus hampering the refrigerator's ability to cool. Lack of oil in the compressor can also damage the compressor.
If we must lay the fridge down, it is better not to lay it 100% flat, but rather to keep an angle so gravity keeps the oil in the compressor.
If it has lied down flat for some time, then wait at least 24 hours with the refrigerator in the normal upright position before turning it on. This will allow sufficient time for oil that may have gotten into the cooling lines to flow back into the compressor.
The theory is that the fluid can cause an air (well gas) lock that prevents the fluid moving around the system and the lack of fluid damages the compressor, or the fluid can get into the compressor in a liquid state and cause hydraulic lock. Have not tested it myself as have always allowed plenty of time before turning it on - 5 hours or more... posted as an answer on friendly advice.
I have been shipping refrigerators on their sides since 1976; that adds up to thousands of times. I tell the customer that it is the biggest wives' tale ever. I tell the customer to allow two hours for the oil to return back to the compressor and there will be no problems. I lay them down to where the suction line on the compressor is facing down. That way when the compressor starts up the oil in the suction line is pulled right back into the compressor. The oil does not go through the piston valve as it enters the "pot" section. The whole compressor is under the low side of the refrigeration cycle. Laying it down on the discharge side can discharge any oil into the condenser that may clog the cap tube that feeds the evaporator. THIS WILL PASS the compressor will push it through.
I just love people who speculate with their answers with no refrigeration degree and no practical application.
I been told by a number a fridge maint. People Their rule of thumb is how ever long it lays on its side,, leave it upright that long before plugging it in . Will give oils time to drain back down to where they are supposed to be. I am sure I didn't word it the exact same way but I am sure you get what I am saying. if it is on its side for 12 hours upright 12 hours before you plug it in. I myself wait as long as I can
You can lie the fridge On the side with all the connection pipes of the compressor pointing upwards. (Ignoring the crimped off process pipe.)
If there are pipes on both sides, lie it with the bigger diameter one pointing up.
It doesn't actually matter too much. The object is to stop compressor oil getting into the circuit and then needing to be blown all the way around by the refrigerant. If that happens, it should come right by itself but can take a while (hours)
I got this advice from a seinor production engineer at a New Zealand refrigeration manufacturing plant (Dad). If fridges are not made the same way everywhere YMMV.
I'll leave it to your common sense how to secure the door for handling and transport.
I agree with Craig below, in addition though, my understanding is, old refrigerators will accumulate some wear sludge in the bottom of the compressor - this is what will permanently stop a fridge from working.
