Question on Norcold Refrigerator

[Foggy]

The refrigerator repair man's diagnosis: no refrigerant probably from a leak.
I do remember a strange smell about a year ago but blamed the dog. His
recommended treatment: remove the thing (minor surgery), take back to the
shop, fix it, return it.

Seems we all missed this in our differential diagnosis. So, add no refrigerant
to your list of possibilities for a refrigerator that does not work.

Any thoughts on which will be higher: the repair bill or the tag for a new
refrigerator? A good Yeti is getting more appealing as I like the KISS principal.

Aye.

 

[thataway]

The refrigerator repair man's diagnosis: no refrigerant probably from a leak.
Seems we all missed this in our differential diagnosis. So, add no refrigerant
to your list of possibilities for a refrigerator that does not work.

Any thoughts on which will be higher: the repair bill or the tag for a new
refrigerator? A good Yeti is getting more appealing as I like the KISS principal.

Aye.

Thataway wrote:

If the compressor is running, the fan is running properly, but the unit is not cooling, it probably is low in refrigerant. Unfortunately these "cheap" units are not made to be recharged. A good tech can braze or silver solder in a Schrader valve and recharge the unit. They require very small amounts of refrigerants, and not something you should do, even if a Schrader valve was present.

You may have missed this Foggy. Good for this tech for putting in the valve, and replacing the refrigerant.

Did you ask the repair man how much his bill was going to be? I do this before making a decision about replace vs repair. The issue here is where was the leak? Can he find it, and repair it. The compressors are sealed. So it may be anywhere in the lines. There are "leak detectors"--and the old fashion way, with soapy water, looking for bubbles.

It is unusual for the modern Norcold refrigerators to loose refrigerant. I don't know what refrigerant is used in the current Norcold, but the only odor of Freon (which I have experience with building systems) was that of the oil--sweet/oil odor.

The other question is did the compressor run for any significant time without refrigerant= did it overheat, and become damaged? What is the oil level in the system. The oil is dispersed thru the system, with the refrigerant. A good tech will purge the system with nitrogen before recharging it.

What warrantee does the repair man offer, vs the warrantee for a new refrigerator?

Dual Electric Refrigerator
Two-Year Limited Warranty
Norcold warrants to the original purchaser, dual electric refrigerators to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of (2) two-years from the date of purchase as long as the refrigerator is used for personal, family, or domestic purposes. Dual electric refrigerators used in commercial marine applications are warranted for a period of (90) ninety days from the date of purchase. The limited warranty applies to the original purchaser and is non-transferable.

If selling the boat is your plan, having a new refrigerator will be much better than one which has been repaired. The new 751 is $765 plus shipping--probably going to be close to $800.

 

[Foggy]

Thataway wrote:

If the compressor is running, the fan is running properly, but the unit is not cooling, it probably is low in refrigerant.

I cannot say the compressor ran and did not cool when low on refrigerant. I
noticed it simply did not work; turn 'on', cool or make any noise.

I waited for the repair man for 3 hours after confirming the expected arrival time.
After I left the boat, I received a phone call from him saying there was no
refrigerant. In my joy of knowing the problem, I forgot to ask the cost of the
recommended repair. I know it will hurt just not how much.

Should I begin asking for donations?

Aye.