Refrigerator - repair or replace?

[gbundersea]

I think I already know the answer, unfortunately, but wanted to get some informed opinions.

I have an approximately 13 year old Frigidaire side-by-side fridge. All of a sudden, the temps rose dramatically, and are holding at about 26 on the freezer side, 50 on the fridge side. Compressor is running, as is the condenser fan.

Following some excellent online diagnostic sites, I cleaned the bottom out, and determined that the defrost timer and evaporator fan are working normally. I pulled off the interior back panel in the freezer, and the top 3" of the evaporator coil is iced up, with the rest being absolutely bare, even of normal frost. They said this is a clear indication of either low freon or bad compressor.

Everybody says if the cost of repair is half that of a new fridge, just get the new fridge. I'm hesitant to spend money on a freon charge/service call on such an old unit, since chances are that it would be wasted. I really think the compressor has failed, and there's no way I'd put a new compressor in a fridge this old, plus I'm sure that would be expensive. I am almost 100% positive that it's time for a new refrigerator.

What are your thoughts?

 

[whitsend]

I agree.
Donate the old fridge to the Salvation Army or some other charity and get the tax deduction.

 

[olivs260]

Fridge repairs can be pretty steep. Our water dispenser went out, and the service man said it would be something like $400 just for the part to fix it, much less the labor. New is where it's at!

 

[Request Dust Off]

I went a couple of DIY repair rounds on ours. It was worth it, until it wasn't. Ironically the door seal started to fail and that was too expensive a part to invest on the 22 year old fridge.

I wax all my appliances when I get them and that helps them stay new looking.

 

[Blackhawk]

It has been my experience that if the compressor is running, it's probably something else that is at fault. Had a similar experience with an older Frigidaire Side-by-side. I had continuing problems with the cooling temperatures, did a lot of research and finally just replaced the motherboard ($104 online). Fridge is still running great and being used as my second fridge.

Advice to you, replace it if it's your primary fridge and you are prepared to pay the price, seems like they are running $800-$1200.

If you have the time, want to experiment, or just don't want to pay for a new one, by all means continue to troubleshoot.

 

[mforsta]

I has a similar problem with my Frigidaire. It turned out to be the mother board. Easy DIY fix for a $125.

 

[JadeRaven]

Do you like the refrigerator? If so, fix it. If not, get something new.

Personally I spent way more than I should and got one of the top-end Samsungs with french doors, freezer drawer and drink drawer. Love it.

If you had a vintage fridge I'd say fix it. But refrigerators are wear items.

 

[jw927]

It could be a simple circuit board replacement. The coil on mine was icing over not allowing air to reach the fridge side. Does yours have a filter indicator light? If so, it should give an error code in the former of flashes if it is something electronic like the board.

 

[Bam Bam]

Greg, my new Kenmore did same thing a few years ago. If it uses R-134 like mine does we can fix it! I was shocked to find it used 134 which I have plenty of. I just bought a line tap and recharged it my self. Call me if you like, I'm home today.

 

[SicilianSecrets]

Fix it! Don't call the service guy! Sounds like a solid fridge/freezer.

 

[Bam Bam]

It's gonna be 1/4 or 5/15 line so but tap that's fit's, mine had spacer to fit both. My google fu is failing me, that and doped up on cold meds!

 

[stag0608]

 

[stag0608]

If it's freon it's only going to take a few ounces.

 

[gbundersea]

Thanks, everyone! Bam Bam - you may be on! I talked to my AC guy, and he agreed that a charge is worth trying. He hooked me up with a valve too, locally, which I should have tomorrow.

 

[Bam Bam]

Hit me up tmw after 5:30 and I'll fix you up!