DWC283BLS Danby Wine Cooler Frosting Near Capillary Tube / Dryer

[sojourner75]

Hoping to get some advice on this wine cooler that my fiancee has...

Symptoms:  Stopped cooling to desired temp, but will get below room temperature (5 to 10F under room temperature) when in operation. Compressor seems to be working. Fan in top zone of wine cooler is good, but not working from board (or is not being called to work by board). Thermistors check out fine (2-4ohms). The biggest physically notable symptom is a large chunk of frost that develops around the capillary tube and dryer area, as noted in attached image.

I referenced the following posting and have the Repair Manual that JWWebster posted. Based on the symptoms, am I looking at a restriction in the system?

Thanks!

[sojourner75]

Oops.  Forgot to include the thread that I had made mention to in my posting above.  It is: http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=4916

...and in the image in the above posting, the semi-transparent yellow section that I photoshopped in is where the frosting is occuring.

Thanks...

[JWWebster]

First thing to do is give the condenser a deep cleaning. Get a product called BLOWOUT. Get all dust and junk out of the condenser and see if that does the trick.
 It might be a low charge but you still need to clean the coils before anything else.

[sojourner75]

The condenser is quite clean already - no dust or junk really noted - maybe some water staining from freeze/defrost. Will cleaning help?

As the frosting is occuring near the dryer, is there any possibility there is a restriction there?

This is a sealed system, too, running R134a.  Initially I'd thought about it being low on refrigerant and recharging it, but 1) there's no service ports (was just going to use a self-tapping saddle valve to gain access for refrigerant), and 2) I couldn't really detect any refrigerant leaks.

Any additional thoughts?

Thanks

[JWWebster]

If you think its clean and the control is ok. AND you know the condenser parts are all good, then slap a saddle valve on the suction side and see if the charge is low. The correct charge should be around 5 psi. no more no less. Overcharging causes lug down of the compressor. If the ear on the suction port begins to ice over danger Will Robinson.... Too dang much freon. Chances are the charge is low. SLOWLY add freon. Too much too quick wrecks reed valves floods the high side and restricts the flow. Take your time. Take some sand cloth and clean the area well where you decide to install the A-1 tap. Cleaning the area with sand paper reduces the possibility of a leak. Do NOT connect the tap to the high side. It is the small line coming out of the compressor going to the condenser. Connect it to the ear on the compressor or the thick copper suction line. Your unit most likely uses R134a. Ain't no R-12 stuff been made fer a while now.

[Icehouse]

Frosting at the cap tube by the drier indicates drier is loaded and has to be replaced.