I asked you last week about a Kenmore upright freezer that I determined to have a bad compressor. I got there and the temp in the freezer was 68*. I was told that it stopped freezing a few days ago, ( probably more than that ) and so I checked the evap/fan and it was working fine. So, I pulled it out and checked the compressor and it was so hot, I could barely touch it. I unplugged it for about 15 minutes and put a hard start on it, because the relay was bad. Let it run for about 20 minutes. Both the compressor and hard start were hot.
I was schooled to think that if the compressor is that HOT, and has been running like that for a while; that it’s NO GOOD. The reason is, as I was told, that the high temp breaks down the oils, etc in the compressor.
My customer had another freezer ( chest type ) and it was also NOT freezing. I opened the compressor panel and checked the temperature of the compressor and it was HOTTER than her upright. ( sho has a coffee plus shop ). I told her that both freezers were no good.
Anyways she called her refrigeration service people out. He told her, that the only thing wrong with the chest freezer is that it needs to be defrosted.
QUESTION: was I schooled correctly to think that if the compressor runs that hot for an ” unknown ” period of time that it is NO GOOD?
To the chest freezer, I did nothing. But to the upright, I put a new hard start on.
QUESTION 2. Is my hard start still good?
- Guest asked 9 years ago
Compressors are build tough to withstand high temperatures. They have a thermal protector that will turn the compressor off before it over heats. So I would not be concerned with any damage to the compressor if it’s still running. They do get very hot. If it’s running non stop because it can not cool properly, if the condenser coils are dirty or the condenser fan motor is not running are all things that will cause the compressor to be very hot.
- Brian, Ace Appliance answered 9 years ago
- last edited 7 years ago
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Hello
There are a few things that can cause a compressor to run hot, refrigerator compressors actually require heat to help the refrigerator cool. As the compressor pressurizes gaseous refrigerant, the compressor’s temperature increases. The increased temperature actually helps the refrigerant to move into the condenser where it turns to liquid and works to cool the refrigerator. So with that being said you need to look for the common causes of a compressor running too hot. Her are the most common.
1) A dirty condenser that restricts air flow across the compressor to keep it running cool.
2) A locked up or tied up condenser fan motor that blows air across the condenser and compressor to keep it cool.
3) High indoor ambient air temperature conditions over 90 degrees.
4) On self defrosting freezers, they must be defrosted otherwise the temperature control cannot sense the coil temperature to shut the compressor down. Therefore causing it to run hot because its running all the time.
5) On automatic defrost systems, you could have a part of the defrost system defective causing a frost build up and then the temperature control cannot sense the coil temperature to shut the compressor down.
Before you condem a compressor. I suggest to check the compressor name plate amprege before condeming any compressor, on the model number name plate It will have running amprege and ( LRA ) locked rotor amprege. If you amprege is under the normal running amprege you do not have a bad compressor. If it at the locked rotor amprege that means bad starting components or locked up compressor that needs to be replaced.
Hope the helps Matt Ace Technician See link to compressor videos.https://www.appliancevideo.com/?cat=&s=compressor+&post_type%5B%5D=post&post_type%5B%5D=premiumvideos&post_type%5B%5D=fromthefield&post_type%5B%5D=embdvideo
- AV Repair Help answered 9 years ago
- last edited 9 years ago
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The question to your Hard Start kit is yes, it will still be good…
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Thank you Matt. On both freezers, the evap/fan,cond/fan motors were both working. There were no visible signs of anything else not working. The one thing that you mentioned ( high indoor ambient temp ) I think is the issue with both. The upright was in a basement with no ventilation ( and it was very warm ) down there for April. I can’t imagine what it must be like in the Summer months. The, chest freezer was in the kitchen, ( very tight area ) with other coolers and an oven. When I pulled it out from the wall, there were burn marks on the wall shaped like the vent cover to the compressor. There was NO space between the back of the freezer and the wall. Regarding your #5 auto defrost system, if that were the case and the compressor ran continually. Let’s say for several days. Wouldn’t the heat of it running continually break down the oils in the compressor? Causing damage to it internally? You gave me some GREAT ideas to look for in the future. And for them, I am thankful. So, before I condemn a compressor I’ll do as you say. But what about the high heat issue? My laser gun on the head of the compressor read 138*. I’ve had compressor head readings as high as 213*. So, if I fixed it ( let’s say I replaced the defrost element ) and got it running at a normal temperature. What if any damage could have been done to the compressor to shorten it’s life? I guess, My question has to do more about the heat damage done to the compressor due to it running for several days? And is it really worth the cost of the repair?
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