Thread: GE Freezer -evap motor fan?

GE Upright Frost Free Freezer, model #FUF20DACRWH, manuf 1998, I bought the freezer used in 2003. Freezer located in finished basement.

2 or 3 weeks ago, I had the freezer open looking for item and when freezer came on to maintain temperature, I heard a noise and then a screech. It stopped after a few minutes.
At odd times, I hear the noise and go down and slap the middle of the back of the freezer and noise stops, but eventually noise comes back.

Noticed the left side of the freezer is 2 times as warm as usual. At this time, freezer is maintaining the inside temperature of 0 deg.

Listened and tracked down noise to the inside of the freezer - unscrewed and the evaporator fan motor is the noise I am hearing.

The original evaporator fan motor for my GE is #WR60X10014 and cost approx $120. Can I get a universal evap fan motor? I looked on internet and cannot tell what univ fan motor will fit my freezer.

When I bought the freezer, the appliance store said the prior owner did not want to have the freezer repaired, just bought a new one from them. If the part is $120 and labor $75 to $100 --- I know why they decided to not repair.

Decided to look closer at the evap fan motor and noticed that a piece of tape is wrapped around the top where the wires come out of the top of it. When I got a better look at the part, I noticed it is not the original GE evap fan motor kit. It has some numbers on it - 2165 70 900 --- but I cannot tell where it was bought. The appliance repair shop probably put a universal fan motor in to replace the original before they sold freezer to me.
At this time, I have the bottom half of the freezer empty with the panel that covers the evap fan motor unscrewed and leaning against the back. Once I emptied the bottom half of the freezer and loosened the panel, the left side of the outside of the freezer is not extra warm -- it returned to normal temperature. Freezer is maintaining 0 deg, but evap motor fan is still making weird noises periodically.

I guess what I need to find out is if the evap fan motor is the problem??? With the freezer being almost 10 years old, I want to replace the evap fan motor with a universal part -- how can I know which univ part will fit my freezer?
FYI --- I have another freezer in the basement that I store my meet and chicken, etc. The GE freezer I use to store things I buy in bulk, ie. rice, cake mixes, flour, etc. So, if the GE freezer were to die, I would not loose any of my high $ items. Sorry long post. Any help appreciated. Debbie