Frigidaire chest freezer

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ApplianceDigest.com

[Arizona]

   I would like to thank the people who helped me with my GE SS fridge problem. It turned out to be the compressor. I replaced the compressor and it has been working fine since.
   I have a Frigidaire chest freezer model #MFC13M4FW3, MFG date 1999. The unit stopped cooling and everything melted. I unplugged the unit and plugged it back in and in less than 5 seconds the compressor made a click noise and was silent. I checked inside the compressor compartment and the relay was burned at the bottom. I removed the relay and replaced with a 3 in 1 start device which was left over from the fridge project. When I plugged the unit in the compressor now starts. I left the unit plugged in for 8 hours, but it would not cool. Power is reaching the temp control and the compressor. The compressor is warm to the touch, but none of the lines coming off the compressor are cool. I am open to suggestions. Let me know if you need more information.
Thank you,

Tony

[Repair-man]

You likely have a loss of freon due to a hidden link. If it runs but won't cool, this is the logical assumption. Chest freezers are a dime a dozen and leak repair is next to impossible. Get yourself down to the retail store and find another one.

[JWWebster]

I looked up the compressor. It is r134a,says so on the side. You know I would get a small can of r134a and put in about 1/3 rd of a can. Making sure no air got into it. I bet that freezer would go some more.

[Repair-man]

JW, if the unit is on 134a and it lost the charge, it also ingested copious amounts of air at the leak. Therfore the compressor is contaminated and basically doomed. Why put this customer thru any more expense when she could go out and get a new one or by some dry ice to tide her over.

As we know, air infiltration will turn the R134 to gel, causing a system-wide restriction. Too late to re-charge.

[Arizona]

Thank you for the prompt answers. Yes the unit is 134a. A unit this size would cost areound $450 -$550 new. Any chance the thermostat is bad? Could I solder a fill tube on and charge with a can of 134a plus leak sealer? The lines from the compressor have a rust like appearance at the brazed joints. A new compressor starts at $170 so I would be OK spending that to fix the unit. I can hear a faint moving water like sound inside the unit when the compressor is running.
   Repair man, my wife is on the same page as you "get rid of it and buy a new one."

[Repair-man]

I believe I understand the properties of R134a a little better than the both of you, no offense, and am trying to save you the heartache of investing more money into a "pit". Follow your wife's intuition if you want to disregard my advice...let us know how it works out for you if you decide otherwise. Just trying to help you here.

[JWWebster]

a cheap can of gas and an a-1 tap is less than 10 bucks

[Repair-man]

You just gotta push the issue, huh? Well I hope he takes your advice JW. And I also hope his wife unloads on you afterwards when the thing fails completely, ruining a load of groceries. Think with your dipstick, Jimmy.

[whirlpooltech]

Think with your dipstick, Jimmy.

 

[JWWebster]

I ain't saying buy out Omaha steaks when you see the frostline. Dayum it boy.

[shieldcracker]

Can someone explain the GEL transformation part to me.

[Repair-man]

Can someone explain the GEL transformation part to me.

It's a "moisture vs. mineral-oil" thing...

Makes a gooey whitish restriction in the cap tube and pretty much the whole sealed system. Since the tubing in most chest freezers is basically hidden within the cabinet, any leak that also draws in air is mostly impossible to repair.  Maytag for instance recommends replacing the evaporator, compressor and condenser in the case of a low-side leak due to this phenomena.
 Frigidaire is not so stringent on certain repairs, but nevertheless requires special procedures to be done that are outside the realm of laypersons, as the Chest Freezer Manual describes.

[JWWebster]

Do it the old fashioned way and purge the system if that is the case. FYI: If you have gages just add a tad of gas and walk away fer a few days, come back and the pressure is still pretty close to what you added then that leak is very small. If the system has NO FUGGING GAS AT ALL IN IT when you tap a line then you has a problem, BUT, if it has  pressure on it that means their is a chance NO AIR has gotten inside the system therefore adding a little might brang that baby back to life for years more.

[krazytech]

I would have to say, that if Tony replaced his own compressor. He sure can tap on to the system and add some gas to check for a leak...

I would also check the dryer at start up .. if the dryer gets cold there is most likely a restriction at the dryer.

Easy to tell a customer to buy a New one. but that could be done without are help...

[Repair-man]

It is NEVER easy to recommend replacement...that's why we are here. It is also foolish to assume that every person has leak detection equipment and vacuum pumps, etc. Chest freezers are not the everyday refrigerator, as Tony will find out for himself. Most times the leaks cannot be repaired and replacing these units is not as expensive as a refrigerator.

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