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Post by etheb217 on Dec 17, 2021 2:08:57 GMT
That's good you were able to get a sniffer so quickly! Harbor freight? Amazon same-day delivery! Ooh, thanks! I don't have a propane torch or heat gun but I poured boiling water on an old washcloth, wrung it out, and stuck it in there for a bit. Then I ran the fridge for 10 min or so, and it didn't seem to do anything. But I'm also not sure I have the placement right? If a blocked tube is the issue and applying heat doesn't fix it, what would the repair person need to do?
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Post by turbokinetic on Dec 17, 2021 11:50:30 GMT
That's good you were able to get a sniffer so quickly! Harbor freight? Amazon same-day delivery! Ooh, thanks! I don't have a propane torch or heat gun but I poured boiling water on an old washcloth, wrung it out, and stuck it in there for a bit. Then I ran the fridge for 10 min or so, and it didn't seem to do anything. But I'm also not sure I have the placement right? If a blocked tube is the issue and applying heat doesn't fix it, what would the repair person need to do? That's cool about same-day delivery! As for the cap tube, I would expect it would take more heat than boiling water. I would expect it to take a heat gun at minimum. If the cap tube is blocked and can't be cleared easily, it may be possible to solder a tube stem fitting directly to the cap tube, and inject high pressure nitrogen through the cap tube. That is a last resort. If that doesn't do it, then the cap tube will need to be replaced. Regardless of which method fixes the blockage; the root cause is system contamination so the filter-drier will absolutely need to be replaced. That is the little canister directly below the cap tube in your pictures.
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Post by etheb217 on Dec 17, 2021 12:38:58 GMT
Okay, thanks. I think I can borrow a heat gun from a neighbor. I'll report back.
In the meantime, I can work on getting a replacement filter-drier. Any tips about doing that? Will the freon need to be removed from the system in order to replace the filter-drier? Just trying to get a sense of what this will require. Thanks!
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Post by turbokinetic on Dec 17, 2021 13:08:25 GMT
Okay, thanks. I think I can borrow a heat gun from a neighbor. I'll report back.
In the meantime, I can work on getting a replacement filter-drier. Any tips about doing that? Will the freon need to be removed from the system in order to replace the filter-drier? Just trying to get a sense of what this will require. Thanks!
The filter-drier is very easy to get and should cost around $10 at an HVAC supply house, or online. Here is one example: https://www.grainger.com/product/6X528 To answer your questions; yes, if any refrigerant is in the system, it will need to be removed. The legal method to do this is to have someone with a recovery machine use it to take out the remaining refrigerant and store it in a container. Once the refrigerant is gone, you will need to remove the old drier from the system by cutting the tubing. The condenser tubing is steel. After cutting off the old drier; it will require very careful grinding along the exterior surface to remove all traces of paint or rust. This is critical for solder to adhere. It requires specific flux and solder to bond steel to copper. It has to be liquid acid flux and silver-bearing solder. I prefer Harris StayClean Liquid flux and StayBrite-8 solder for this job. The capillary tube will then be soldered into the outlet of the new drier. After the above, the low-pressure return line going to the compressor will need to have a fitting installed, so that the system can be recharged with new refrigerant. This is also easily done with the same solder mentioned above. If you're not familiar with this sort of work, it's best to have someone who is familiar with it, to do the job. The learning curve can be steep and you'll be working with a torch and some chemicals that can be harmful if you're not familiar with the process to use them safely. The ideal situation is for someone who has experience with this sort of work to be there, and either do the job or walk you through it face to face. I don't want to sound like a negative-nancy; but I also don't want to encourage anybody to go beyond their skill level and end up getting hurt. Here is part 1 of a video series where I have done a repair to a Coldspot, including changing the drier and installing a service port. Hope it clarifies the process. https://youtu.be/D5XXkLQNxt0 Sincerely, David
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Post by etheb217 on Dec 17, 2021 16:57:02 GMT
Okay, I got my hands on a heat gun! How much of the cap tube should I heat and for how long? And should I do it with the fridge unplugged or running? Thanks!
I'm glad the filter-drier is standard and I don't have to hunt down a weird part. And don't worry, I am definitely not going to attempt anything as complicated as you described by myself! It's really helpful to have these step-by-step instructions to give to a repair person, though (IF I'm able to find one!). Have I said THANK YOU enough yet?
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Post by don on Dec 17, 2021 17:15:09 GMT
I would try it running it first. You should be able to get pretty hot but it is a judgement call. A totally blocked capillary is only a possibility. I have only seen it one time. A compressor that runs but does not pump is another possibility. The most probable cause would be a total loss of refrigerant which was the first thought. The refrigerator does not have a high side float and the refrigerant is not SO2. An R12 refrigerator with a cap tube is not unique. A business probably would not take your project but you should be able to find an individual that would look at it for a fee. The local small business appliance dealer might be able to give you a referal or an add on craigslist might find a person who has credentials.
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Post by turbokinetic on Dec 17, 2021 17:47:34 GMT
Okay, I got my hands on a heat gun! How much of the cap tube should I heat and for how long? And should I do it with the fridge unplugged or running? Thanks!
I'm glad the filter-drier is standard and I don't have to hunt down a weird part. And don't worry, I am definitely not going to attempt anything as complicated as you described by myself! It's really helpful to have these step-by-step instructions to give to a repair person, though (IF I'm able to find one!). Have I said THANK YOU enough yet? Glad you got a heat gun! It would be good to have the compressor running, because that puts pressure on the cap tube, and will help to move any blockage out of the tube, if it softens from the heat. I had wanted to explain the repair process, so that you would not have a false idea of it being simple - because while the concept is simple it takes a lot of specialized equipment. I would try it running it first. You should be able to get pretty hot but it is a judgement call. A totally blocked capillary is only a possibility. I have only seen it one time. A compressor that runs but does not pump is another possibility. The most probable cause would be a total loss of refrigerant which was the first thought. The refrigerator does not have a high side float and the refrigerant is not SO2. An R12 refrigerator with a cap tube is not unique. A business probably would not take your project but you should be able to find an individual that would look at it for a fee. The local small business appliance dealer might be able to give you a referal or an add on craigslist might find a person who has credentials. Good ideas! As said, try to get it too hot to touch; but don't burn the paint off the parts, because that is going to affect the contents of the tubing. And yes, this is a very conventional system. It operates similarly to almost all domestic fridges made from the early 40's to the late 2000's and maybe even some current models. The issue will be getting past the indoctrination which many current generation techs have been given; which programs them not to work on old things. Once you get past that, any decent tech will likely be able to solve this problem.
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Post by fphiggins on Jul 30, 2022 22:07:05 GMT
I have this same model Coldspot. Does anyone know where I can find a replacement door gasket?
Thanks
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Post by turbokinetic on Jul 31, 2022 3:40:17 GMT
I have this same model Coldspot. Does anyone know where I can find a replacement door gasket? Thanks Could you post some pictures of the door gasket? That will help with identification.
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