COMMUNITY FORUM

Forum >
Electrical & Lighting >
GE Profile fridge smells like lighter fluid

07:12AM | 08/17/07

Member Since: 08/16/07
1 lifetime posts

GE Profile fridge smells like lighter fluid

Our GE Profile refridgerator has had a persistent chemical smell for the past 3 weeks, smells almost like lighter fluid or a BBQ grill. The smell started before we had food in the fridge so that is not the culprit, but soon after we had our hardwood floors refinished. The polyurethane smell from the floors was strong throughout the house for 2 weeks after being refinished and has since dissapated, however the fridge still has a lighter fluid-esque odor that gets into the food, ice, etc. Could the fridge odor be related to the floors, or is there a problem with the fridge? Thanks

BV001355

02:07PM | 06/19/13

I have the exact thing. After saw your post, I believe the smell caused by floor finishing.

BV004525

03:56PM | 05/31/14

I have this! Did the smell ever disapate?

BV004576

08:58PM | 06/05/14

I have the same problem and is not related to floor. Someone mentioned possible ice dispenser motor.

BV008344

09:59PM | 07/13/15

We had our floors refinished and are experiencing the exact same thing! What did you do to fix this? We have emptied the ice tray and cleaned it out,. It's now been about a week post polly. Ice still smells!

BV008449

05:29PM | 07/24/15

Has anyone determined the time frame for the smell and ice cube taste to clear? Ours started shortly after we had our hardwood floors done as well.

BV008624

09:38PM | 08/10/15

Same here! Anyone knows how to get rid of smell?

BV008805

08:25AM | 08/30/15

Same problem here after refinishing. Dying to know how long this is going to last.

BV011032

08:50AM | 03/26/16

I'm experiencing the same thing after having floors refinished! Did anyone ever figure out what happened??

BV011163

11:44AM | 04/06/16

Try a tray of charcoal in an empty fridge for a few days or a tray of kitty litter for a few days.

BV015888

05:08PM | 03/10/18

after hours of searching, I found this. GOOD LUCK

The problem is the evaporator fan motor.the fan will still work but the seals inside of it are going bad and the oil from the motor is spraying on the evaporator coils then heating up making a terrible chemical smell.it starts with the ice cubes because it is closest to the ice tray then I makes its way into the freezer then the fridge.also the reason it does not make the water in the door taste bad is because the water never comes in contact with the odor.you can buy the replacement fan motor at many different websites and it is a rather simple fix.i hope this helps.

BV016733

06:56PM | 06/28/18

My refrigerator has the same smell post hardwood floor refinishing with oil based poly. Since everyone seems to be expressing the smell occurred after hardwood refinishing I'm certain it is absorbing the odor from the poly. Called service tech and was told to do the following:

1. turn off the unit for two full days
2. empty ice and foods
3. wash with baking soda, soap and water
4. Leave off with all doors open for TWO FULL DAYS, no shortcuts
5. After two days wash again with soap and water
6. Change the water filter
7. Turn back on
Good luck to all

BV017635

12:22AM | 10/10/18

We experienced the same smell after refinishing hardwood floors.
Did the advice the Tech gave you work?