Does Your Refrigerator REALLY Need Freon? How to Find Out If You Need Refrigerant

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  • Опубліковано 20 чер 2023
  • The most common comment I get at my shop is that their refrigerator just "needs a little freon" but far more often than not, it doesn't really need that. But how would you, as a home owner or tech determine this? Lets look at a few things to determine if you do in fact, just need a 'lil freon.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 77

  • @DeclanHiggins-YoutubeChannel
    @DeclanHiggins-YoutubeChannel 11 місяців тому +4

    Excellent video Ben I defrosted my refrigerator a while ago. You reminded me it's time for more maintenance. Appliances need care if they are to last longer-term. You explained everything very clearly.

  • @polishmasterjay
    @polishmasterjay Місяць тому

    I’m annoyed that my fridge isn’t working, excited to be able to fix it, and even more excited to find this channel! Guess it was meant to be, thanks so much man! 👏🎯

  • @craigslist474
    @craigslist474 8 місяців тому +2

    I really liked your video! You are a great teacher. You make things easy to understand. I'll have to check out some more of your videos.

  • @georgewilson1184
    @georgewilson1184 11 місяців тому +2

    Very good and informative Ben Jesse White is looking down and smiling with approval

  • @mnbsay9548
    @mnbsay9548 11 місяців тому +2

    Good video Ben thanks again for all your helpful information.

  • @southwestlivingwithval
    @southwestlivingwithval 12 годин тому

    Thank you so much. My frig is running good now. The coil to my old GE is at the very bottom of the frig. I had to prop up the front of the frig to get under there. So far so good. Thank you again.

  • @brianbanks3044
    @brianbanks3044 11 місяців тому +2

    when I was a kid and wanted to dry my shoes or sneakers, I would put them at the bottom of the outside of the fridge....we always knew warm air blew out from there but NOW I know why...great video

  • @georgewilson1184
    @georgewilson1184 11 місяців тому +7

    Hey here’s one for you back in the 60s my Grandma had a Copper color Admiral fridge and you had to hook up a gasline to it in the kitchen just like your cooking range her apartment had 2 gaslines in the kitchen one for the stove and one for the fridge that’s Natural Gas now RV reefers run on LP liquid propane to this day but I don’t think anyone builds fridges these days that run on natural gas that most homes have

  • @robastore9192
    @robastore9192 9 місяців тому +3

    Hey there .
    I like your vid .
    Box temp is the most important issue to be addressed .
    Keep in mind adding refrigerant does not make a system colder .
    There should be air flow across the coil to add evenness to the surrounding area and aid the saturation point to the coil .
    Did the instructor in your refrigerator repair course tell you that Freon is a DuPont trade name for there products not all refrigerant is Freon , you stand corrected

  • @tdngaymoibatau8269
    @tdngaymoibatau8269 11 місяців тому +1

    Thank you BEN, your video helpful !

  • @theresadavis7440
    @theresadavis7440 11 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for this video and this is what I needed to know. ❤

  • @billinglot4670
    @billinglot4670 11 місяців тому +1

    Great video. Ben is the best.

  • @Leonardokite
    @Leonardokite 11 місяців тому +1

    Very well done! Thank you very much. 👍

  • @melissah170
    @melissah170 2 місяці тому

    Thank you so much. We have a GE French door system refrigerator and both sides are showing higher than recommended temp, even after attempting to set it lower. I will try the steps you mentioned. We live in the desert so it could be dust. Had this refrigerator for ten years.

  • @functionalvanconversion4284
    @functionalvanconversion4284 9 місяців тому +1

    Great information, thanks

  • @davidpawson7393
    @davidpawson7393 11 місяців тому +2

    My old Speed Queen dryer that was in a pile of washers and dryers has cost zero so far other than angry pixies but this is about angry pixie farts. Just pucked up a Whirlpool freezer over fridge replacement from the curbside because I'm a sucker for wood-grain and R-12. Two hours of cleaning and some VHT flat black paint on the condensor joints, I was able to donate the newer much louder GE to someone who doesn't have tools or a trailer. Thanks again for everything as I wouldn't have known what I was looking at which saved me a few thousand for the cheap junk made today.

    • @davidpawson7393
      @davidpawson7393 11 місяців тому +1

      @@mckidyl70 Looks like I ducked up my grandma.

  • @charl1em0uze89
    @charl1em0uze89 10 місяців тому +1

    Hi Ben... wondering if you would consider a review on mini-fridges, such as the Galanz and Magic Chef?

  • @IronMan-bl7dd
    @IronMan-bl7dd 8 місяців тому

    I have an LG fridge it runs beautifully. There is no frost or ice at all around the evaporator coils from what I’ve learned and understand they are using metal lines in and underneath the insulation those rust and leak out all of your Freon. It’s already five years old.Compressor vibrates nicely just like my other two fridges but it’s not warm like the other two fridges.

  • @sbcinema
    @sbcinema 11 місяців тому +2

    A video about the worst design flaws in different refrigerator moddels wouled by interesting
    The idea came to me because of my own one (where the light stays on when the door is closed)

  • @lovelife7464
    @lovelife7464 9 місяців тому +1

    Can you do a video covering mini refrigerators with top freezer? Like 7.6 cu ft and below. I have been looking for one for my workshop/she shed and kinda skeptical

  • @rustyrobinson8027
    @rustyrobinson8027 11 місяців тому

    Thanks again 👍

  • @manuelestradaramos81
    @manuelestradaramos81 17 днів тому +1

    You are the best #1 to go to thanks dud

  • @angelajohnson2184
    @angelajohnson2184 7 місяців тому

    Good tutorial. Funny hat😂

  • @Matt314159
    @Matt314159 6 місяців тому

    Hey Ben, what drill brush did you use in this video?

  • @Xemblow
    @Xemblow 6 місяців тому

    Thank you for your video , I feel like i got a low refrigerant problem with an upright freezer i bought used and no repair company is even interested in fixing let alone they say they cant do it bc of the refrigerant it has. Its an old freezer with R12. I live in Canada and maybe its something that cant be fixed. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

  • @marshmower
    @marshmower 11 місяців тому

    Top freezer whirlpool. Ice maker valve split and made a mess. Fan went bad after 4 years. Still going after 11

  • @Peter-od7op
    @Peter-od7op 11 місяців тому

    Whats best freezer to buy

  • @blixo1813
    @blixo1813 11 місяців тому +1

    2:10 - if the frost is only forming in a clump (usually at the cap tube/thin copper line) doesn’t this mean it is restricted inside the evaporator rather than low freon?

  • @justinheilmanart
    @justinheilmanart 11 місяців тому +1

    I'm smelling a really sweet smell in my fridge and freezer. Is it a coolant leak? I plan on getting a new one, but is it dangerous until I get a new one?

  • @philliphall5198
    @philliphall5198 7 місяців тому

    Thanks

  • @arlenashallow6014
    @arlenashallow6014 4 місяці тому

    Thanks sir

  • @rickmiller1257
    @rickmiller1257 8 місяців тому

    Thanks for the video. I'd like to ask a question; Over this past winter, my son's Frigidaire lost it's cooling ability. The fridge is in the garage and was not disturbed so I'm ruling out a leak(??) Even so, that I can determine. I've been told that over time Freon will lose it's cooling ability. True? I want to "recharge" that fridge. Does this sound reasonable?

  • @Jon-hx7pe
    @Jon-hx7pe 10 місяців тому +1

    the compressor is cooled by the returning refrigerant, not air blowing over it. the air movement is only to cool the condenser.

  • @VinnyMartello
    @VinnyMartello 8 місяців тому

    I took a chance on my refrigerator and installed some pierce valves. I had an old can of 134, no idea of fluid level. My frige was not even that cold at all. After charging, my freezer is just cold enough to freeze water, and my frige is cooler than hot. But my low pressure side is completely covered in ice.

  • @wiredbassclarinet
    @wiredbassclarinet 9 місяців тому +1

    This troubleshooting was amazingly helpful.
    Can you tell me if a thermostat can work, but occasionally get stuck (where both fridge and freezer usually hold temp but sometimes get too warm (warm enough for ice cream to get soft enough to start to melt))? Turning the thermostat colder and then warmer always gets it to kick back on and then it’s good for a while longer.
    Everything else seems good. Could it be the thermostat or the “brain” getting stuck on or after the defrost cycle (or something like that)? Those are the only two parts that I can think of, since I’ve checked everything else.
    Thank you again for your great videos!

    • @robastore9192
      @robastore9192 9 місяців тому +1

      A thermostat and cold control are not the same ,one is for temp and the other is for pressure .
      Sounds like you have defrost timer issues or potential relay contacts .

  • @donaldhollingsworth3875
    @donaldhollingsworth3875 11 місяців тому +1

    My father had to have a space heater in the winter for the refrigerator so it would cool properly.

  • @adinduadindu8306
    @adinduadindu8306 4 місяці тому

    When I plugged back in my freezer a week later after a defrost and clean, My compressor is running but the freezer is not getting cold. Do you know what the problem could be?

  • @marshmower
    @marshmower 11 місяців тому +2

    I got a surplus of 134a in the small cans. I like diy fixing. They are going to phase it out to make things .... tricky. See a foreign firm won the bid to make the new refrigerant but it is like$50 a can. Gotcha items....🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑☹️

  • @PETERLINNAH
    @PETERLINNAH 11 місяців тому +2

    Hi Ben, I am enjoying watching your videos, having recently discovered your channel. My neighbor gave me an Amana commercial quality washer and dryer pair a couple years ago. They had been in storage for 15 years so they were like new and I love them. They were built in 1998 and are obviously old-school. I am trying to find out more about them since the instruction manuals were not given to me. The model numbers are: LWA80AW (washer) and LEA80AW (dryer). I am wondering if they were built by Speed Queen. Any information you could steer me toward would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    • @bensappliancesandjunk
      @bensappliancesandjunk  11 місяців тому +1

      Very, very likely they are Speed Queens and are just amana-badged. Amana was owned by Alliance Laundry at that time I think, then shortly after bought by Maytag.

    • @PETERLINNAH
      @PETERLINNAH 11 місяців тому

      @@bensappliancesandjunk Thanks, Ben!

    • @DatuSamDatumanong
      @DatuSamDatumanong 6 місяців тому

      Thanks,maybe i've to clean and inspect all parts,then how would i know there's need for a frion?

  • @user-yb5xw8kn7b
    @user-yb5xw8kn7b 6 місяців тому

    I have a Whirlpool side by side, I believe I'm smelling Freon, can this be fixed? about 19 years old

  • @saratorres1191
    @saratorres1191 9 місяців тому

    What about French door fridge?

  • @jima3129
    @jima3129 10 місяців тому +2

    Hi Ben, is it normal for a refrigerator/freezer to lose 134a refrigerant after 13 years? I have a samsung with a 2010 build date, I have done everything to it. All new fan motors, all new temp sensors, new defrost sensors, new inverter and main boards. Condenser coils cleaned with brushes, vacuum and foam coil cleaner. UPDATE: I installed a piercing valve on the low side and found that it was reading below 0. I added 134a in three small pulses till it read 7 psi on the low side. My refrigerator and freezer is back to working like new, except for the through door ice maker. I replaced the ice room fan, but no luck. I think that the 12v fans are very specific as to the return signal to the main board on the white sense wire. The ice room fan is a 13A. I now have a new one, but im living with ice trays for now. It would have been nice to know about these fans up front. Basically, the main board sends a test pulse to the fan three times to see if it turns. If it does, the fan kicks on based on the ambient temp. If it does not, the board assumes the fan is obstructed, and it will not start. If your evaporator coil keeps icing up, i would suspect your door seals, or unusually frequent door use AKA (kids) lolol.

    • @bensappliancesandjunk
      @bensappliancesandjunk  10 місяців тому +1

      Normal? No. Possible? Yes. You may be able to get away with a recharge and get another 5-10 years out of it depending on the leak. If a proper fix is done, far longer.

  • @maxshadow...
    @maxshadow... 11 місяців тому +3

    Ben...you miss spoke.
    A 00:32 THERMOSTAT is used for CONTROLLING temperature and a THERMOMETER is used for MEASURING temperature.

  • @adrianbutanda651
    @adrianbutanda651 9 місяців тому +1

    I recently got a Samsung fridge ( I know gross😂😂) and it will cool to the right temperature but will randomly stop cooling altogether for a few hours. any idea why?

  • @VinnyMartello
    @VinnyMartello 8 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for the video! I tried foolishly my around with my Freon levels and wouldn’t ya know there’s this block of ice in my freezer bigger than the Great Wall of China! Should have removed the access panel in the freezer first.

  • @tbone6354
    @tbone6354 3 місяці тому

    Usually I add 50ml of swimming pool acid to the compressor before regassing. This keeps the system clear of rust

  • @danthesupercontractorhvac9690
    @danthesupercontractorhvac9690 11 місяців тому +2

    If there is a leak, best practice is to find the leak and fix it 1st before recharge

    • @bensappliancesandjunk
      @bensappliancesandjunk  11 місяців тому +1

      For certain. This was just to show if you needed it. When I do a follow up, it'll be on leak detection.

  • @MrRadiodio
    @MrRadiodio 3 місяці тому

    why have both of my samsungs ice up an leak water in the crisper drawer

  • @allenbozeman7547
    @allenbozeman7547 10 місяців тому

    My repair guy simply adds more Freon and my GE leaks Freon again. He believes it’s a reality I should live with but I disagree, what should I do. GE frig closed system

  • @natepeterson7145
    @natepeterson7145 10 місяців тому +1

    90% of refrigerator problems are electronic. Defrost, temp sensing, or air flow

  • @MinecraftPro97k
    @MinecraftPro97k 11 місяців тому

    my fridge is missing the cardboard back...

  • @greendryerlint
    @greendryerlint 11 місяців тому

    That's not a thermostat, it's a thermometer..

  • @Jon-hx7pe
    @Jon-hx7pe 10 місяців тому

    if it "needs freon" - it's leaking refrigerant and needs a professional leak search and repair. not worth it on most fridges, labor is expensive.

  • @codegeassfan4life28
    @codegeassfan4life28 11 місяців тому +2

    Every time I hear Freon I cringe and die a little inside. Do you drink Aquafina/ Fiji (brand) or do you drink water? Freon is a type/brand of refrigerant, please people just call it refrigerant.

    • @portable_wall9222
      @portable_wall9222 11 місяців тому +2

      I bet you call bubble wrap "inflated cushioning" don't you.

    • @andybub45
      @andybub45 11 місяців тому

      Doesn’t matter

  • @johnross6314
    @johnross6314 11 місяців тому +1

    Well, my new one uses Ronson butane. Flammable, CO2 and ozone hole creator worse than any of the R series Freon. So, the $2900 fridge is powered cigar lighter fluid from the RV days. And the fan is a $.67 cent Alibaba small muffin fan. Bet that is going to last. 🤦🏼‍♂️ kitchen Aide, owned by Whirlpool, are as bad as the Samisong rice burning 🔥 fridges. What a let down.

    • @Channel-gz9hm
      @Channel-gz9hm 11 місяців тому +3

      Butane/Isobutane has an ODP of zero. What the hell are you even talking about man.

  • @TheOtherBill
    @TheOtherBill 11 місяців тому +1

    That's refrigerant it's not Freon, like all gasoline is not Mobil.

    • @bensappliancesandjunk
      @bensappliancesandjunk  11 місяців тому +1

      Literally all my customers call it that. Do I call it that in real life? No. But they do thus using the term

    • @jimdavis6833
      @jimdavis6833 11 місяців тому +1

      Ya beat me to it. I have the same urge when car mechanics call an engine a motor.

    • @andybub45
      @andybub45 11 місяців тому

      Doesn’t matter

    • @marshmower
      @marshmower 11 місяців тому

      There's a brand name called Freon. It became a generic term. Actually you can make your own from different gasses sold for different purposes. I read that if you need r12, you can use a can side pierce tap on electronics "duster".

    • @liarafunhaha1693
      @liarafunhaha1693 11 місяців тому

      @@marshmower modern duster is typically r290

  • @cosmoshfa88savant66
    @cosmoshfa88savant66 11 місяців тому +1

    Set the Freon's Free...

  • @DC-gy3wj
    @DC-gy3wj 11 місяців тому +1

    I have the opposite problem, my Jenn-Air JFC2089HTB keeps going to cold. The thermistor and damper have been replaced and it still will go down below 32 and freeze vegetables. Any ideas?

    • @bensappliancesandjunk
      @bensappliancesandjunk  11 місяців тому +1

      Check evap panel. is there a ball of ice anywhere that could be tricking the machine into thinking its not cold enough?

    • @DC-gy3wj
      @DC-gy3wj 11 місяців тому +1

      @@bensappliancesandjunk no