I've had the gas man out and it's definately the fridge,
is this dangerous? or shall I just open windows and wait for the fridge to pack in or shall I get it repaired?
It's a BEKO and is about 3 years old (I wish I'd taken out that insurance policy now.....)

Mary, September 2009

compressor regas is the same price as a new one!.If pipework is damaged it might be beyond repair anyway depending on where it is leaking from

ck, September 2009

It is the refrigerant gas escaping from the pipes or compressor. Without gas the fridge will not get cold. Did you pierce the pipe or the cabinet wall with something sharp or maybe move the fridge and somehow cracked a pipe at the rear? Not usual for a major leak to occur by itself. Motor will eventually overheat and will have to be replaced if you keep running it with no gas. Turn it off & call a repair company to give a quote to regass it.

Lincoln Appliance NZ, September 2009