Can I solder in a refrigerator compressor myself?

[Trapper Sean]

I know nothing specific about this. It appears I may lose battle to replace a bad fridge. See Other Forum for that.

Not sure yet that it needs a compressor. Will try just tapping into low pressure line and adding some R134a first. I bought a gadget on Amazon for this.

In case this doesn't work, I can buy a new compressor for less than $400.

Can I just solder this in with a propane torch and no-lead solder? I do not have oxy-acetylene and have no plans (yet) to go to this level.

What else do I need to know? Does the system need to be evacuated? Are there actually some kind of mechanical compression fittings or similar that would be preferrable?

I'm counting on VB to be smarter than that other place for do-it-yourself. Those other pansies just call The Man and bend over.

[Big bob]

Run up to home depot and get a hard start capacitor first for ten bucks. If the compressor is starting look at the thermostat or one of the coil fans.

[TheHammer]

no problem, my ex-wives have done it several times just by watching Youtube videos

[Trapper Sean]

Originally Posted by Big bob

Run up to home depot and get a hard start capacitor first for ten bucks.

For a fridge?

The compressor is apparently running because it's cooling the top fridge half fairly well. It will not freeze ice cream anymore. Or freeze anything, for that matter.

So I would not need the capacitor, yes/no?

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Trapper Sean

For a fridge?

The compressor is apparently running because it's cooling the top fridge half fairly well. It will not freeze ice cream anymore. Or freeze anything, for that matter.

So I would not need the capacitor, yes/no?

No cap needed. Either thermostat or cooling fan.

One will be be the on compressor. The other one I have replace was behind the inside back wall of the freezer. That would be my best guess. It is not working so the coils are icing up and not defrosting and not cooling properly.

[Trapper Sean]

Originally Posted by Big bob

Run up to home depot and get a hard start capacitor first for ten bucks. If the compressor is starting look at the thermostat or one of the coil fans.

Where's the thermostat and what does if look like? Is there more than one of them?

Service was out 3.5 times and failed to fix. I would think they looked at fans. On site service and KitchenAid help were yapping as my wifey overheard, and she reported Help basically said yer Fd. That sounds like a compressor or leak to me.

[Trapper Sean]

https://www.kitchenaidparts.com/Part...248595/2310607

I looked into Parts for Thermostat and came up with this:

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Trapper Sean

Where's the thermostat and what does if look like? Is there more than one of them?

Service was out 3.5 times and failed to fix. I would think they looked at fans. On site service and KitchenAid help were yapping as my wifey overheard, and she reported Help basically said yer Fd. That sounds like a compressor or leak to me.

You would think so and might be right. But it won't cost anything to pull the back off from the inside and see.

[DDSLT5]

Buy a new ice box!

[Aerovette]

You should braze instead. Propane and oxygen.

I repaired a water dispenser / ice machine by brazing, but it has not been recharged yet. Information on charging is pretty sparse. Not like home AC or car AC.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Trapper Sean

https://www.kitchenaidparts.com/Part...248595/2310607

I looked into Parts for Thermostat and came up with this:

Air damper not it.

[Trapper Sean]

While we're at it, original problem was no ice. Service allegedly replaced the ice maker, but still no ice. To my estimation, this is actually unrelated to the freezer yes/no? I plan to take out the ice maker and re-install and see what may have been overlooked. If I can't find anything, a new ice maker is only $100-150.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Trapper Sean

While we're at it, original problem was no ice. Service allegedly replaced the ice maker, but still no ice. To my estimation, this is actually unrelated to the freezer yes/no? I plan to take out the ice maker and re-install and see what may have been overlooked. If I can't find anything, a new ice maker is only $100-150.

If it is not freezing your ice cream it is not going to freeze ice.

[Trapper Sean]

Originally Posted by TheHammer

no problem, my ex-wives have done it several times just by watching Youtube videos

Ex-wives are especially cold. Unfair advantage.

[Don Rickles]

Ha…. My tenant called two days ago, the fridge took a dump. I sent her out shopping, new ones ordered paid for waiting for delivery….

[Trapper Sean]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

Ha…. My tenant called two days ago, the fridge took a dump. I sent her out shopping, new ones ordered paid for waiting for delivery….

Tenant? Did it cost over $4,000? If not, then not (yet) relevant as a possible course of action here.

Some of us still have our balls and try to fix things even if we can afford to buy two new ones. things that is, not balls.

Also, wifey is not going to settle for anything less than $4k plus at the big box stores.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Trapper Sean

Tenant? Did it cost over $4,000? If not, then not (yet) relevant as a possible course of action here.

Some of us still have our balls and try to fix things even if we can afford to buy two new ones. things that is, not balls.

Also, wifey is not going to settle for anything less than $4k plus at the big box stores.

I have fixed many most are less than 20 bucks. One was over a hundred for a control board that was not needed but still have,
.

The last one was the fan that I have you checking. I flicked it and lubed it up. It is still working with the back still off. It is on back order and time to move to the summer house coming up.

I have yet to see a compressor go bad or loss of freon.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Trapper Sean

Tenant? Did it cost over $4,000? If not, then not (yet) relevant as a possible course of action here.

Some of us still have our balls and try to fix things even if we can afford to buy two new ones. things that is, not balls.

Also, wifey is not going to settle for anything less than $4k plus at the big box stores.

Another son of a bitch talking about my body parts….
I have huge balls! Tremendous some women have said!

The refrigerator being replaced is 12 years old and never were we satisfied with its performance. In addition, the tax write off for the improvements to my rental property are welcomed. But if you’re welcome, you can have the old piece of junk thrown away. But I do agree most appliances Are quite easy to repair. I just don’t feel like taking the time screw it.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

Another son of a bitch talking about my body parts….
I have huge balls! Tremendous some women have said!

The refrigerator being replaced is 12 years old and never were we satisfied with its performance. In addition, the tax write off for the improvements to my rental property are welcomed. But if you’re welcome, you can have the old piece of junk thrown away. But I do agree most appliances Are quite easy to repair. I just don’t feel like taking the time screw it.

Put it out by the road with a for sale sign on it. It will be gone in the morning.

[Yadkin]

First things first- clean the condenser fins. Make sure the fan that draws air past them is working.