Maytag Fridge MFI2665XEW, Compressor running hot, Freezer at 36 degrees

[Crazy Johnny]

This unit is fairly new.  There was a needle valve on the compressor line when we got it.  We checked the pressure and it's fine.  The freezer is down to 36 degrees and the fridge is in the low 70s.  I found a service manual for a similar model, but running diagnostics is different with this model.  Does anyone have or know where to get a service manual?

[AJ]

Hi,

This unit is fairly new.  There was a needle valve on the compressor line when we got it.

About how old is it? You purchased it as new or used. A new unit should not have a valve on the compressor.

We checked the pressure and it's fine.

What was the pressure?

Did you check the evaporator coil in the freezer to see what kind of frost pattern it had or if it was frozen up?

[Crazy Johnny]

I'm not sure how old it is.  Would the date be encoded in the serial number?  We bought it from a liquidator.  The pressure was 38 psi.  There's no frost on the evaporator coil.

[AJ]

I'm not sure how old it is.  Would the date be encoded in the serial number?

I was just wondering, not a big deal.

We bought it from a liquidator.

How long have you owned it?

The pressure was 38 psi.  There's no frost on the evaporator coil.

If the compressor is running and you have no frost on the evaporator coil then you have a sealed system problem.

Sealed system repairs require special knowledge, tools and experience to be done correctly.

Refrigerators don't come from the factory with valves on the sealed system. It's a sure sign that it has had problems with the sealed system before and being it's giving you problems now I would also venture a guess that it was not properly repaired the first time.

Hope you did not pay to much for it or have at least got a lot of use out of it for your money before it quit on you.

[AJ]

Also the pressure is way off. Suction/low side pressure should be around 0-5 psi with 5 being on the high side, 38 is way off it left field. That is assuming the valve is on the suction line to start with.

[Crazy Johnny]

We checked pressure with the unit off and got 38 psi.  Could that be because of a blockage in the line somewhere?  Or do you think whoever tried to fix it put too much freon in it?  I payed next to nothing for it, knowing that it had issues so I don't mind investing some money to get it fixed.

[AJ]

Both high and low side pressure needs to be check at the same time well the compressor is running.

Pressure readings well the compressor is off mean nothing.

I payed next to nothing for it, knowing that it had issues so I don't mind investing some money to get it fixed.

Unless you have refrigerant, scale or charging cylinder, vacuum pump, brazing equipment, a set of refrigeration gauges, leak detector, etc... and the skills to use the equipment you would need to call some experienced in sealed system repairs.

Could be some kind of restriction or low on refrigerant. If it's a restriction you are probably looking at some kind of problem with the dryer or cap tube. If it's low on refrigerant the sealed system has a leak. The leak would have to be found and repaired. During any kind of sealed system repair the dryer should also be replaced.

IMHO if you have the equipment, skills and the experience to do this type of repair yourself it maybe worth trying, if not forget about it and spend the money on a different refrigerator.

Just my 2 cents...

[AJ]

Here are some manuals on sealed systems.

8178688 R-105 Whirlpool Sealed System Diagnosis

5995530150 Frigidaire Refrigerator Sealed System Training Manual

[Crazy Johnny]

Thanks for the info AJ!

[niobrara]

How are the new ones working with two Evaps and the switching valve and they have check valves in the lines how do they equalize

[AJ]

How are the new ones working with two Evaps and the switching valve and they have check valves in the lines how do they equalize

Not sure, have not had any training on them and have not worked on one yet.
Maybe a subject for a new topic...

[Crazy Johnny]

We couldn't find anything wrong with the sealed system on this fridge, aside from a possible blockage somewhere.  We tried to run diagnostics on the control panel on the door using a tech sheet from a similar model and the control panel is doing some funny stuff.  My tech is thinking there's a problem with a thermistor or one of the control boards is bad.  Has anyone had experience with one of these units?

[domain]

I vote blockage from what I have read, and I am sorry to tell you that.