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Post by norcross on Oct 11, 2021 19:48:10 GMT
This a very informative forum and I want to say “Thank You” ! I recently acquired a CK that will run, the condenser ( esp the top 3 rings ) get pretty hot…. Almost too hot to touch….runs for 12 or so min and then cools off. The evaporator never cools down. I’ve tried the hot water in the evaporator with no success I’m currently doing the steps to determine if it’s a stuck float. Any ideas on how to “unstick” the float besides hits on side with a board ? When I went to pick up the fridge, there was a small amount of clear light oil that almost smelled like vinegar in the bottom of the cabinet. I’m trying to decide if that came from am external source, or if it came out of the unit somewhere. Once again, many thanks for your help !
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Post by ckfan on Oct 11, 2021 22:34:10 GMT
When you say that it runs for 12 minutes and then cools off, is it still running after 12 minutes or does it shut off?
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Post by coldspaces on Oct 11, 2021 23:09:44 GMT
Sounds like a plugged float maybe.
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Post by norcross on Oct 11, 2021 23:19:35 GMT
When you say that it runs for 12 minutes and then cools off, is it still running after 12 minutes or does it shut off? It definitely continues to run, but there is not more heat in the the condenser & the evaporator is still not cooling. |
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Post by norcross on Oct 11, 2021 23:20:59 GMT
When you say that it runs for 12 minutes and then cools off, is it still running after 12 minutes or does it shut off? I love these old machines ! I just scored a hermetic valve service kit today ! |
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Post by turbokinetic on Oct 12, 2021 13:14:24 GMT
This a very informative forum and I want to say “Thank You” ! I recently acquired a CK that will run, the condenser ( esp the top 3 rings ) get pretty hot…. Almost too hot to touch….runs for 12 or so min and then cools off. The evaporator never cools down. I’ve tried the hot water in the evaporator with no success I’m currently doing the steps to determine if it’s a stuck float. Any ideas on how to “unstick” the float besides hits on side with a board ? When I went to pick up the fridge, there was a small amount of clear light oil that almost smelled like vinegar in the bottom of the cabinet. I’m trying to decide if that came from am external source, or if it came out of the unit somewhere. Once again, many thanks for your help ! Hey, that is interesting! It sounds like you've got a leak in the low-side of the system and the unit has taken on air. The air will become trapped in the condenser and prevent liquid from reaching the float and thereby opening it. The oil in the bottom of the cabinet surely came from a damaged line or damage to the evaporator. When the compressor runs, it reduces the low-side pressure to lower than atmospheric pressure, so (if there is a leak) air will draw into the system when it runs. Look closely at the area inside the cabinet and look for any signs of where the oil is dripping from. That will give you a good starting point. I recently had one like that come in for repairs. There was a bad solder connection which allowed air to seep into the system. It had over 200 PSI trapped in the high side of the system. That is very hard on the compressor, so it's important to fix it before continued running. Could you share some detailed pictures of the unit? Sincerely, David |
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Post by norcross on Oct 13, 2021 18:42:50 GMT
David,
Thank you very much for this info. I hope to do some diagnostic work this weekend. The CK is currently in my hangar, so I’ll be out there this weekend. I’ll gladly take some detailed photos to share. I assume you are speaking mostly of the evaporator pics. I’m looking forward to getting it going.
Thanks again !
T
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Post by norcross on Oct 13, 2021 22:52:01 GMT
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Post by norcross on Oct 13, 2021 22:53:13 GMT
These pics were taken around the evaporator. Sorry for the format.
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Post by turbokinetic on Oct 14, 2021 12:41:53 GMT
These pics were taken around the evaporator. Sorry for the format. Wow, there is a lot of oil around. It's hard to understand how the oil got on the upper surface of the cabinet.. That part confuses me. The area where the small line goes into the evaporator is prone to leaking because stress gets concentrated at that point. The same can be said for the joint between the large line and the evaporator header as well; but that one is in a more protected area. I would carefully wipe off the oil and clean around the two areas mentioned above with an oil removing solvent such as brake parts cleaner. After doing this, look for where oil seeps appear again. Don't run the machine again like this, because it's taking in air and moisture when it runs. There's also a chance that the float valve could open and allow SO2 to enter the damaged parts and result in a release which will be irritating and obnoxious. |
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Post by norcross on Oct 14, 2021 22:40:02 GMT
Thank you VERY much for the info. I’ll be pinpointing the leaks & removing the SO2 soon. Thanks for your help. Im sure this rookie will have more questions in the future.
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Post by norcross on Oct 17, 2021 20:48:50 GMT
Any GE Monitor Top guys in the Kansas City area ?
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Post by turbokinetic on Oct 18, 2021 12:49:09 GMT
Any GE Monitor Top guys in the Kansas City area ? Possibly post this in the classified ads area. Might get more attention. |
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Post by norcross on Oct 24, 2021 20:33:44 GMT
I have secured a set of gauges and vac pump. I have MANY rookie questions. I have a Hermetic valve service kit & have experimented enough to get my first snoot full of SO2…. Not a pleasant odor ! 1. How do I properly connect the gauges ? 2. Do I somehow capture the SO2 or do I release it DOWNWIND ? 3. Do I turn the top upside down to release the float ? The lines to the evaporator DEF have leaks. 4. How long do I leave vac hooked up ? 5. I’m planning on going back with 152a. Do I need a dryer ? If yes, which one. Thank you SO SO MUCH for any help in saving these old machines !
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