Help With Frost in Fridge

[Sailorman375]

I have a built in front opening fridge with external compressor. The unit cools well although the freezer does not freeze. After I defrost the unit frost forms almost immediately on the copper tube that enters the box at the bottom and runs up along the back wall to the cold plate which forms the freezer. I defrosted yesterday and this morning I already have 1/4" of frost on the line. The cold plate has no frost. I have a manual thermostat and have it set on high. Temperature is running about 3 degrees C in the middle of the box. Am I doing something wrong? The compressor is a year old.

[svHyLyte]

We had a similar problem that proved to be low Freon. You may have a leaking seal somewhere that has allowed some of the gas to escape. Also, to improve the efficiency of a front loader, you might think about adding a heavy clear vinyl curtain with vertical slit just inside the front door. It will help prevent you "loosing your cool" when the dood is opened.

FWIW...

[belizesailor]

Have a refrigeration tech take a look. If there is a leak and as a result it absorbs atmospheric moisture and/or loses oil then it can damage the compressor.

[Sailorman375]

The unit was serviced 10 months ago and is cooling very well, holding 1 deg. C right now. Does this sound like it could be a leak?

[jacob30]

Sounds like moisture in the compressor. You need to have a service tech vacuum down the lines and recharge the system. I am no expert but have heard of this by reading my manuals as a possible indication of contamination of the system.

[skipmac]

Well, I'm not an expert either but my guess would be a little low on refrigerant. If you are seeing frost on the copper tubing before it reaches the evaporator (cold plate you describe) then the liquid freon from the compressor is vaporizing before it hits the cap tube or expansion valve (depending on what system you have) so probably not enough freon in the system.

My guess.