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Thread Number: 85276
/ Tag: Refrigerators
1955 GE Fridge compressor running non-stop |
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| Post# 1098119 11/23/2020 at 17:05 (1,249 days old) by oldschoolmeg (Kentucky) | ||
Hello everyone, second time posting on here. You guys are my last hope since all my leads are coming up dry and no refrigeration techs want to help me out.
I have a 1955 LH-12 GE refrigerator with a compressor that does not stop running. Fridge cabinet temps range from 32-40 deg with freezer around 18 deg. Not sure why the freezer isn't getting to correct temperature, that might be due to same unseen issue. Here are the obvious things I have checked and corrected so far: Recharged with R-12 Checked all door gaskets for leaks Inspected for obvious leaks or restrictions Thermostat is good I guess since there is no signs of freezing food. I'm going to attach some pictures so you can identify the fridge and some potential issues. First things first, when I plugged it back in after recharging it the compressor ran super loud. It seriously sounded like a powerwasher running. It runs like this for a while then quiets down. This is obviously concerning since when I first got it the compressor ran relatively quietly. Another point of possible interest is that there is no frost pattern on the evaporator coil right as it comes in the cabinet (there's a picture for reference). Possible restriction? Not sure since I do not know the symptoms of a restriction. I also don't know what a "bad" compressor sounds like, but that very well could be the problem. I can't get anyone to come out and run a vacuum test on it so I don't know for sure. What does anyone make of this? Like I said above, the main issues are that the compressor never shuts off and the freezer temp isn't low enough. If I can find out what's wrong with it I might just haul this thing all the way to Alabama for Antique Appliance to fool with. | ||
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Post# 1098146 , Reply# 1 11/23/2020 at 22:41 (1,249 days old) by RP2813  (Sannazay) |
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 One thing I noticed right away is the frost accumulation on the serpentine coil in the fresh food section. The only time my '57 GE Combination had that much frost on the coil was when the cold control had finally failed and the fridge wouldn't shut off. Otherwise, no actual frost ever accumulated on the coil -- just a thin layer of ice that left the actual coil 100% visible. During normal cycling, there isn't enough time for a layer of white frost to develop.
The frost makes sense on your fridge since it's running continuously, but the uneven coating of frost does seem to indicate a problem. Since I believe you stated that the fridge was working fine before you hauled it home, it seems something got disturbed along the way. I've provided a link to a thread that our refrigeration expert David (turbokinetic) launched to chronicle what appears to be a '57 GE wall-mount refrigerator revival. Since a wall-mount model is roughly similar to a Combination on its side, there might be some information that you can use in trying to diagnose what's wrong with yours.
I think we can all agree that no refrigerator should ever sound like a power washer, so something is certainly amiss. GE Combinations like yours were manufactured to be seen, not heard. CLICK HERE TO GO TO RP2813's LINK | ||
| Post# 1098191 , Reply# 2 11/24/2020 at 10:51 (1,249 days old) by oldschoolmeg (Kentucky) | ||
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Update
As I was typing this previous post out I had turned my fridge back on to see if anything had changed from before. When I plugged it back in it sounded normal. After a few minutes though it started back to the super loud compressor running noise. Like I said above, it sounds like a gas-powered pressure washer. I'll link a youtube video I took to really show what it sounds like. I really started to get concerned when the evap coils didn't get cold at all like they were doing before. They were room temp the whole time I had it on (about an hour). The worst part is that it shut off about 45min unprompted. It definitely wasn't cold enough to shut off as the coils were not cold at all. It stayed off for 5min then tried to start back. I heard the relay run a few times and then it died. It ended up starting back up a little bit later seemingly fine, though it was still somewhat loud. I unplugged after that figuring there was a more major issue than I had before.
Could it be overcharged? It was almost like the compressor was unable to push the refrigerant up through the system like before. Like that since being unplugged for a few weeks it had pooled in the compressor and since there was too much it just couldn't push it anymore. But I'm not sure as I am no expert. CLICK HERE TO GO TO oldschoolmeg's LINK | ||
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Post# 1098192 , Reply# 3 11/24/2020 at 10:52 (1,249 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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1955 GE Ref Running All The Time And Not Cooling Properly | ||
| Post# 1098193 , Reply# 4 11/24/2020 at 10:57 (1,249 days old) by oldschoolmeg (Kentucky) | ||
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John,
That is what I'm thinking as well. I will be calling around even further out from where I'm located to see if I can get someone to do that for me. I am willing to load this fridge back up and take it to them if need be. Does anyone know of any fridge guys around the KY, OH, IN areas? I'm near Louisville KY but everyone I have called so far has said no. I've probably called almost everyone in my area. | ||
| Post# 1098247 , Reply# 6 11/24/2020 at 21:49 (1,248 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
If you don't mind taking your fridge to Fort Wayne, my friends at Home Appliance could repair it for you. They are family owned and operated since 1966. Ask for Gordon.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO rickr's LINK | ||
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Post# 1098250 , Reply# 7 11/24/2020 at 21:55 (1,248 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA) |
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Can these refrigerators be "converted" like car AC w I thought R12 was banned by an international treaty and maybe with a new compressor an R134a conversion might be possible. I also read that the springs inside the compressor case can break from metal fatigue when the refrigerator is moved, causing the loud sound. Thus, it really is not a good idea to move an old refrigerator at all. Meanwhile, the manufacturers get away with shipping new refrigerators because metal fatigue has not happened yet. | ||
| Post# 1098273 , Reply# 9 11/25/2020 at 08:02 (1,248 days old) by oldschoolmeg (Kentucky) | ||
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Thank you :)
Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my post and reply! I will be following up with all of your suggestions. I have found someone that is willing to help in Corydon IN. I will call the people in Fort Wayne as well to have a backup plan if this guy doesn’t work out. I will be taking the fridge up there sometime next week. I will update you all on what he says but I’m thinking it will be what y’all are saying; possible bad compressor. We will see.
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| Post# 1098324 , Reply# 10 11/25/2020 at 17:03 (1,247 days old) by estatesale_gary (Golden Valley) | ||
Know when to throw in the towel
A number of years ago I had a cosmetically beautiful 55 Crosley Shelvador. After about 10 years of maintenance free service, it began to have issues similarly to what your GE has. I was determined to get it operational so I contacted someone seemingly reputable who came to pick up the refrigerator, bring it back to his workshop and restore it “good as new.”
When I got it back after 2 months, it ran non stop and was loud. The repair person told to get a rubber mat and that would absorb the sound. It also seemed to have the same issues as before. The repair person, who I will not name as they are part of this forum, stopped returning my calls but of course took my money. The Crosley was officially dead and in its place, I found a beautiful 1957 Frigidaire- 10 minutes from my house, and it was $60. | ||
| Post# 1098521 , Reply# 12 11/28/2020 at 09:44 (1,245 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA) | ||
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I Kept my eye out for a second 50s GE fridge that is now the garage fridge. If the one in the kitchen ever goes out I would move this one in. I also parted out a rusty one and kept the innards intact under the house. With these old things the parts are a hobby in themselves | ||
| Post# 1098549 , Reply# 13 11/28/2020 at 13:17 (1,244 days old) by qsd-dan (West) | ||
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| Post# 1099097 , Reply# 14 12/2/2020 at 19:09 (1,240 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA) | ||
Meg, let us know how you come out. When my '65 GE was running full-time and no longer cooling properly last year, I refused to throw in the towel. With help from members of the group, I swapped in the compressor and condenser from a modern fridge, recharged with R12, and it's been running perfectly ever since. Where there's a will, there's a way!
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| Post# 1104002 , Reply# 15 1/10/2021 at 13:53 (1,201 days old) by oldschoolmeg (Kentucky) | ||
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UPDATE
Hi everyone,
I am happy to report that my fridge is back up and running! I kept calling around until I found someone near me that could work on it. He found the issue very quickly. The fridge had a major restriction where the capillary tube starts on the condenser coils in the back. There is actually a small filter drier located in this area and it was completely clogged. You couldn't even blow air through it. He cut out the old drier and replaced it with a much larger one. He also flushed the system with nitrogen to get all the debris out that could keep clogging the drier. I tagged a picture of the piece he cut out. Gary at Skaggs Appliance in Corydon IN is a lifesaver. I am very confident that he can fix almost any issue I have with my old fridge. | ||
| Post# 1104006 , Reply# 16 1/10/2021 at 14:45 (1,201 days old) by sfh074 ( ) | ||
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!!!!! ........ So glad for you!! Persistence is a virtue! | ||
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Post# 1104011 , Reply# 17 1/10/2021 at 15:50 (1,201 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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GE Ref Working again Yay this is great news and it is really difficult for even us experts till we actually get our hands on the appliance,
We pretty much knew it was either a weak compressor or restricted [ or badly overcharged but this is unlikely since no one added refrigerant since it last worked ]
Great news you found someone that was willing to try fixing. [ how old was the repairman ? ]
John L. | ||
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Post# 1104023 , Reply# 18 1/10/2021 at 17:01 (1,201 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 1104088 , Reply# 19 1/10/2021 at 23:26 (1,201 days old) by turbokinetic (Northport, Alabama USA) |
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Wonderful news! I was hopeful this (or similar) was going to be the issue.
As with John, I'm curious about the guy who worked on it. Was he older?
Sincerely, David | ||
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Post# 1104089 , Reply# 20 1/10/2021 at 23:41 (1,201 days old) by turbokinetic (Northport, Alabama USA) |
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Few things...... ... bring a feeling of thankfulness like finally having something repaired after hitting dead ends for so long. | ||
| Post# 1104137 , Reply# 21 1/11/2021 at 12:55 (1,201 days old) by oldschoolmeg (Kentucky) | ||
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Thank you everyone
Also, I would like to thank all of you! It's nice that there is a community of people to help out at any time. A special thanks to David (turbokinetic) for using even more time and replying to my emails. He was actually spot on with his diagnosis without even seeing the fridge!
As the technician's age goes, I would say he looked to be about my dad's age. Maybe late 50s early 60s. He said that he had started out on fridges like mine. He even had the special GE tool for the charge port on the compressor. I hope to never need help again with the fridge but thankful to have a lot of support online if I need it. | ||
| Post# 1119715 , Reply# 24 6/8/2021 at 23:14 (1,052 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806) | ||
Reply #23  | ||
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Post# 1119720 , Reply# 25 6/9/2021 at 05:15 (1,052 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Reply #23 Hi Andrew, Yes Filter-Driers are very generic and will fit almost any refrigerator including newness today.
Reply #24, yes be sure that the condenser fan is running, A dirty condenser will not likely cause this type of problem unless the room the ref is in is well over 90F.
It is always good to keep a condenser clean because the compressor and its starting components will run cooler and last longer however we almost never get service calls where the condenser is so dirty that the refrigerator does not cool properly except under extreme operating conditions, like very heavy use and very high room temperatures.
John L. | ||
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