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Comment on Most New Refrigerators Are Crap by David F

David F — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:39:53 +0000

Thanks for this information. I have a GE frig, pretty basic, that has probably been in my home for 12-15 years. It is working fine, but there is mold forming around the seals, so I was thinking of replacing it with some type of basic model. Now maybe I’ll just do a real good job of cleaning the thing and keep it a while longer.

Besides the compressor and other frig parts issues, most new units also have lots of electronics and added features like water and ice dispensers which are breaking more often too. Some friends of mine bought an LP frig a few years ago, and just after the year warranty period passed, the thing died. The repair guy said it was the motherboard and that it was happening at about the same time in many other LP units, and that LP knew the motherboard was faulty but was doing nothing, since most of them were just making it past the warranty period, so not their problem!

So, I went looking for a basic unit, like you’d buy for an apartment you owned, thinking that a simpler unit will last longer, but now I’m not so sure.

Besides that, it really bugs me that they only offer one year warranties on new appliances, especially when they should be lasting many dozens of years, but are obviously not. It burns me further that they want me to pay extra for an extended warranty on a crappy-made product.

In closing I have two questions:
Are there any basic units you would recommend at this point?
How do suggest that people get their voices heard? It seems they are largely drowned out by big-bucks advertising. I wish a reputable magazine like Consumer Reports would take up this issue, but I’m not seeing that happening anywhere.

Comment on Filter-dryers and Capillary Tubes by Joseph

Joseph — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:33:05 +0000

Great blog — I have a Frigidaire side by side we bought it in 2011 and it was manufactured in 2009. I didn’t realize it was that old when they delivered it (from a national retailer) but that is another story. It has the digital temp setting and display and a few days ago the freezer was 10F and its set for 0F. After cleaning the condenser and fans and making sure the fans are working (it wasn’t that dirty) I defrosted the evaporator which was iced at the cap tube and 2-3 inches in. It seems that the evap is cooling but only the first 5% of the evap is below freezing. Repairman said the Fridge will be a continual issue as he thinks the compressor is releasing trash into the system. Which has clogged the evaporator. Does this seem right? the size difference doesn’t seem likely the evaporator is clogged, maybe the cap tube or filter. Maybe he was just dumming it down. So now I am fighting with Frigidaire on the fact the problem likely existed while it was under warranty although the problem wasn’t uncovered until it went out of warranty.

Comment on Filter-dryers and Capillary Tubes by Christina

Christina — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 22:54:05 +0000

I was told there is no Freon because the fins are not covered in frost – they are bone dry. The freezer is now almost at 0 c after two days, as the problem seems to worsen. I just paid to be told that the fridge is not fixable…
Service records from previous home owners shows at least 1300 dollars in repairs… After reading your material, I am not confident that a “no Freon” with just a visual inspection is the unequivocal answer? Unless, a previous repair somehow damaged the lines?

Comment on Filter-dryers and Capillary Tubes by fridgeman

fridgeman — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:59:36 +0000

There are many conditions that could cause a gradual rise in freezer temp. If you know nothing about refrigerators, a service call to determine problem might be the right choice.

Comment on Simple Ways To Know If Your Fridge Is Low On Freon by fridgeman

fridgeman — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:47:19 +0000

yes, someone always thinks refrigeration problems are freon related. Low freon would make the unit run constantly and not cool properly. If it is freezing everything, that isn’t the problem. Does it run constantly? I would be looking at the cold-control to see if it was defective and not cycling the compressor on and off at the set point.

Comment on Simple Ways To Know If Your Fridge Is Low On Freon by Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:25:03 +0000

I have an old fridge, believe it’s a hotpoint, but not 100% sure. Anyways I have turned it into a kegerator, installed casters on it, custom paint job, two tap handles in the door. Everything is ready to go, accept when I plugged it in, it freezes everything no matter what setting I put it on. Someone suggested that it was low on freon, but from what I am reading that would make it not cold enough. Any suggestions on what I should check? The door seal is worn, but I dont think it’s that bad, kind of at a loss here

Comment on Filter-dryers and Capillary Tubes by Christina

Christina — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:38:26 +0000

Great information! I have a 13 yr old Kenmore with a bottom freezer and over the last week the freezer has been warming up (watching temp go from -8 c to -3 c. I know nothing about fridges but do know that early in its life, it had two replaacement compressors and a fan under warranty (other owners). Fan and compressor run but air is not cool (in my esitmation). Access to innards seems like quite a process. Is this a clear case of paying for servicing and what is the likely outcome?

Comment on Simple Ways To Know If Your Fridge Is Low On Freon by fridgeman

fridgeman — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 06:14:58 +0000

From your description, I would suspect a lack of freon (leak), partially clogged cap tube, or worn compressor valves. A check of freon pressure is probably the only way to provide further insight into the cause. I hope this helps. The green residue at the brazed joints was likely caused by brazing flux not being cleaned after brazing. It should have no impact on the units operation.

Comment on Simple Ways To Know If Your Fridge Is Low On Freon by Tony

Tony — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:45:22 +0000

I have a stand up freezer. I just defrosted it because there was a lot of frost build up on the second shelf but all other shelves are warm. The evaporator coli is integral with the shelving, I plugged it back in and it it has been about 30 minutes and only the same location where the frost had built up is getting cold enough to freeze the moisture in the space of the freezer. The rest of the coil is warm or should I say not cold enough to freeze the residual moisture left over from the defrost I just did.The section that is freezing had a small tube coming out the end which appears to go back to the compressor. I think this portion is at the end of the line but not sure. Do I have the situation where the R134A has leaked. I have one spot near the compressor which is underneath he freezer where there was some green powder residue collected on the tube. This looks like to location where the compressor was soddered to the coil. This is not in the freezer compartment but next to the compressor underneath the freezer. Is this an indication of where maybe the R134A has leaked? Perhaps I have a totally different problem. We bought the freezer new 10 years ago. Should I just go buy a new one?.

Comment on Compressor Start Circuits II by Jeff Crabb

Jeff Crabb — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:10:26 +0000

Ok Great, Thank you very much for the information. I’ll keep the 3n1 attached and not worry about it. Thanks