I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you how grateful I am for you posting this video. My husband was very hesitant to do this (we had tried replacing everything, thermistors, relay starts. defrost control, etc.) Nothing seemed to work on our 14 year old KitchenAid Superba. We were very scared it was the compressor. I found your video and we watched it several times. You saved our Thanksgiving. The minute my husband started putting refrigerant into the system using your method, the sound of the compressor motor changed, the freezer coils started chilling and an hour and a half later we had ice again. Before, we had a refrigerator sitting at 56 degrees and a freezer 40 degrees. I do not care what anyone elses comments are......Bless you, bless you for this very valuable help!!!!!!!!!! Thank you does not even begin to cover it.
Yep I bet it leaked again! Nice temporary fix but it will definitely happen again! Plus the tap valves usually create another leak.... could be a evaporator leak its the most common place. Although eventually your compressor will fail. I would still replace the compressor rather then buy a new R600 fridge. There straight garbage! Plus there's a small chance they blow up! RUclips search r600 fridge blow up! Goodluck!
Bro... I've literally been looking for a video just like this for over 6 months.. I thank you so much for this video man you have no idea how much more confident I am now. Thanks a million brother!!!
I like the fact that you explain first things first- that is, how to find the low pressure line before you just attach a bullet valve, to the wrong line!
Thanks for this explanation! It was the most complete of the videos I saw for the problem I had. The freon is holding and the freezer is finally freezing again. Great video!!
I use that same exact value ($4.40) from a local supply store and I had a 22 oz. can of R134a with (advanced leak sealer) that had a gage attached that I use for recharging my cars. I had to use an adapter my can of R134a had that quick release hook-up. I use this process on a 13 year old Kenmore Coldspot Frig. freezer stop freezing and stopped making ice. I installed the tap valve on the cold line and attached can of R134a and got a reading in the green which meant it was low so I started pressing the button on the can until I got a steady reading in the blue took a while but it started to read in the blue. Like you said I started hearing some sounds going on with the Frig. The next morning there were ice cubes in the ice maker and the freezer was freezing again. Thanks!!!!!
3:42 - already you answered a question that had been plaguing me - can you recharge the system from the factory fill tube. Nobody else covers this, & there are some really fine vids available on recharging. I'd already surmised it was ok, even preferable, but just wanted to hear it from someone experienced. Thank you
The taps will most likely leak very slowly over time. When trouble shooting my fridge I installed a tap. It worked. Ended up replacing the compressor. 5 months later, I'm low on refrigerant. The system held a vacuum just fine for 30 mins at time of install. I expected this to happen but was hopeful it wouldn't and watched for changes. Freezer temp started rising few days ago and I knew immediately what was happening. I had some R134 left over from the install and added some to the system. Freezer returned to normal. It's not really a big deal to charge the system a bit every 4 months but as soon as we get through the food I will attempt to remove the tap and seal the hole properly. I could probably do it in time without defrosting the fridge but the tap is in a tough spot to heat with a torch, so I expect some issues.
For a regular fridge/freezer or motor vehicle ... both using R134a ... the gauge, hose and connectors are about $15 on Amazon ... www.amazon.com/s?k=r134a+charging+hose&crid=1KII3B4C28XZW&sprefix=R134a%2Caps%2C204&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_5
Thank you for sharing. Can we attach a tap valve on the "process tube" on a compressor? Will it perform the same way as it is on a low pressure line? The process tube on my refrigerature is straight and easily accessible. Thanks
Great video. I like your digital gauges. I am curious to know where the freon in these refrigerators usually leaks out, and if the leak gets worse with time. In other words, how long will the re-gassing process shown in your video last?
Depends entirely on the system and how well taken care of it is. If the evaporator is dirty it gets wet constantly and will rust and corrode until it gets replaced. If the condenser gets dirty you get higher head pressure and temperature which strains the whole system. A good rule of thumb is to locate the leak and fix it ANYTIME you have to top off refrigerant. Just adding refrigerant is like wearing a band aid when you really need stitches. It never ends right
I'm surprised that that the fieldpiece digital gauges don't have a psi (pressure) to ev (evap temp) conversion reading displayed on the gauge. I know my Testo 550 does.
I have watched about 10 of these videos. Some have said 2-3 psi, some have said 10-15 psi and some say 25-40 psi. Which one is it? I don't have a vacuum pump to evacuate and do it by weight and I can't even find what my particular fridge is supposed to have.
I would have brazed an access valve on the stubby line and found where leak was before calling it good .just adding freon without finding leak is pointless.
shouldn't have hooked your @10:14 hose up to read neg pressure, you put air / moisture in the fridge from the hose. check when its warn and it would have had pos pressure, or purge your line with gas first
I recharged one back in June..Yeah the Compressor is supposed to be running and you give it small bursts of refrigerant at a time til you get it right.
Does that tap valve have a built-in Schrader valve so the gas will not leak out after you take your hoses off? Are you charging the system with the frig running, I don't hear the compressor running?
No. The tap valve (also called a bullet-piercing valve ... e.g. on Amazon) has a center Allen screw which closes the hole. Once you connect up your R134a can and hose assembly, you loosen the screw by no more than two turns to open the hole, and then you can read the gauge and add R134a, as needed. Once you are at the correct psi (usually around 2 to 5psi on a fridge/freezer), you re-tighten the Allen screw to close off the hole, you screw the tap valve on the Freon can all the way down to seal the R134a can, THEN you can remove the hose connector.
I have a Whirlpool side by side refrigerator model number wrs 3 11 s dhm 02 I need to know to make sure that I'm doing it correctly I'm pretty sure I know but to make sure that I'm putting it in the right side the tapping tool and I'd like to know ASAP please what happens is it it all comes on everything comes on I got a control board for the you know for the temperature inside the refrigerator side I replaced it still not cooling so the next thing that I know the check is the refrigerator could please answer me ASAP we need refrigerated bag
My compressor has a short service tube also but I think the low side has a tune too small for a piercing valve, am I ok with the service tube to refill?
At 3:13ish, is that the low or high line thats frosting up. Cause my low going thru my coils is fine and when it hits the end when it's about to go to the high port, it's starting to frost up
This refrigerator was brought in from an apartment I patched the leak on the low pressure line in the back, sent it back and never had another complaint.
+IBGreen Alternative Energy Below zero is called a vacuum not negative pressure and is measured in inches if mercury.....I guess none of you ever heard of a P/T chart
@@zeke112964 who are you talking to? Having a bad day? Teach these people instead of being an ass. More knowledge we share, the brighter the population.
You can check to see if it’s locked up by reading the LRA on the sticker and placing a meter to check amps on startup. If it shoots close or over the LRA then the compressor is no good. You can also check continuity on the compressor itself where the start device (overload) plugs into the compressor.
Can someone tell whats going on with my refrigerator. I added the bullet piercing valve and added freon to the right spec with guages and now the suction pipe in back freezes up, why?
now that you ran the compressor in a vacuum and not repairing the leak only means you are sucking air into the system you are trying to charge..not good practice.
You just need to buy a R12/R22 to R134a adapter from Pep Boys or any other automotive store. It screws onto the piercing valve's R12/R22 connector, then you can use the same hose connector on your fridge or your vehicle's [low-side] port.
What is the correct amount of PSI to put in my LG LFX31925ST/00 ? Not ounce, I already know that. I wanna know PSI because gauge doesn't show in ounce. Freon is R134A
Nice gauges but I have to agree with these guys below me. I believe the fine for even hooking up gauges to a seal system without your 608 license it’s 10k. I hope you have one which I assume you don’t because as people stated refrigerant does not run out, it leaks out. 🤦🏻♂️
So you say you don't know anything about refrigerant but yet your working on it? You shouldn't be touching anything with refrigerant if you don't know anything about it.
Listening to you talk, you really have no business dealing with refrigerant let alone you probably don't even have license to obtain it. These are hermetically closed systems that never need refrigerant. You adding refrigerant to the system means there's a leak. EPA standards require you find the leak, repair it, before adding refrigerant to a system. You get caught doing this there's a hefty fine and jail time. I know you mean well, but you need to be educated with this.. Along with understanding subcooling and superheat. Just some friendly advice
![[TF2] The Russian Bear Trap](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YFNSwz2_rOA/mqdefault.jpg)
I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you how grateful I am for you posting this video. My husband was very hesitant to do this (we had tried replacing everything, thermistors, relay starts. defrost control, etc.) Nothing seemed to work on our 14 year old KitchenAid Superba. We were very scared it was the compressor. I found your video and we watched it several times. You saved our Thanksgiving. The minute my husband started putting refrigerant into the system using your method, the sound of the compressor motor changed, the freezer coils started chilling and an hour and a half later we had ice again. Before, we had a refrigerator sitting at 56 degrees and a freezer 40 degrees. I do not care what anyone elses comments are......Bless you, bless you for this very valuable help!!!!!!!!!! Thank you does not even begin to cover it.
Till it doesn't. If you lost your refrigerant it means there is a leak.
Temporary fix unless you repair the leak.
Yep I bet it leaked again! Nice temporary fix but it will definitely happen again! Plus the tap valves usually create another leak.... could be a evaporator leak its the most common place. Although eventually your compressor will fail. I would still replace the compressor rather then buy a new R600 fridge. There straight garbage! Plus there's a small chance they blow up! RUclips search r600 fridge blow up! Goodluck!
Yes, finally someone that explains in simple terms which line is the high and low side.
Bro... I've literally been looking for a video just like this for over 6 months.. I thank you so much for this video man you have no idea how much more confident I am now. Thanks a million brother!!!
I like the fact that you explain first things first- that is, how to find the low pressure line before you just attach a bullet valve, to the wrong line!
No. He clearly placed it on the low line - the cold one leading inside the fridge & to the evaporator.
@@robertfranklin7040 he wasnt saying that he messed up, he was saying he is glad he explained it BEFORE someone messes up
Thanks for this explanation! It was the most complete of the videos I saw for the problem I had. The freon is holding and the freezer is finally freezing again. Great video!!
I use that same exact value ($4.40) from a local supply store and I had a 22 oz. can of R134a with (advanced leak sealer) that had a gage attached that I use for recharging my cars. I had to use an adapter my can of R134a had that quick release hook-up. I use this process on a 13 year old Kenmore Coldspot Frig. freezer stop freezing and stopped making ice. I installed the tap valve on the cold line and attached can of R134a and got a reading in the green which meant it was low so I started pressing the button on the can until I got a steady reading in the blue took a while but it started to read in the blue. Like you said I started hearing some sounds going on with the Frig. The next morning there were ice cubes in the ice maker and the freezer was freezing again. Thanks!!!!!
Is it still running ? I'm going to do the same procedure as you did. Thank you for sharing!
@@alphamartin8064 Yes doing great!
I've also had good luck with a R134a and sealant mix on my fridge /freezer.
3:42 - already you answered a question that had been plaguing me - can you recharge the system from the factory fill tube. Nobody else covers this, & there are some really fine vids available on recharging. I'd already surmised it was ok, even preferable, but just wanted to hear it from someone experienced. Thank you
Exactly what I needed. Thanks. 6 years on!!
Bullet valve best place for gas leak. Fridge mechanic friend told me that always used thin piece of cardboard behind valve to help seal better.
You should mention to purge yellow fill hose to remove any air before filling.
+dawa macomb He did
Cool video, I'm charging my system now. And I don't have a license, it's my own refrigerator LOL!
You don't actually need a license for R-134a Freon. Both fridge/freezers and vehicles use it and you can buy from any automotive store or online.
Thanks for this information. This saves me hundreds..... easy to understand and follow. I even watched the old video.... THANKS!
The taps will most likely leak very slowly over time. When trouble shooting my fridge I installed a tap. It worked. Ended up replacing the compressor. 5 months later, I'm low on refrigerant. The system held a vacuum just fine for 30 mins at time of install. I expected this to happen but was hopeful it wouldn't and watched for changes. Freezer temp started rising few days ago and I knew immediately what was happening. I had some R134 left over from the install and added some to the system. Freezer returned to normal. It's not really a big deal to charge the system a bit every 4 months but as soon as we get through the food I will attempt to remove the tap and seal the hole properly. I could probably do it in time without defrosting the fridge but the tap is in a tough spot to heat with a torch, so I expect some issues.
Thanks for explaining the lines the compressor
If you own that gauge you pretty much know what your doing because they are not cheap . Good video for a non Pro .Lol .
How many price are there?
For a regular fridge/freezer or motor vehicle ... both using R134a ... the gauge, hose and connectors are about $15 on Amazon ...
www.amazon.com/s?k=r134a+charging+hose&crid=1KII3B4C28XZW&sprefix=R134a%2Caps%2C204&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_5
Did you find the leak first? Just curious as to why the charge was low?
The Fridge has to be Running to check presser
Thank you for sharing. Can we attach a tap valve on the "process tube" on a compressor? Will it perform the same way as it is on a low pressure line? The process tube on my refrigerature is straight and easily accessible. Thanks
That's the purpose of the process stub in type 1 appliances.
Yes. That's where I put mine.
Great video. I like your digital gauges. I am curious to know where the freon in these refrigerators usually leaks out, and if the leak gets worse with time. In other words, how long will the re-gassing process shown in your video last?
Depends entirely on the system and how well taken care of it is. If the evaporator is dirty it gets wet constantly and will rust and corrode until it gets replaced. If the condenser gets dirty you get higher head pressure and temperature which strains the whole system. A good rule of thumb is to locate the leak and fix it ANYTIME you have to top off refrigerant. Just adding refrigerant is like wearing a band aid when you really need stitches. It never ends right
Thanks for explaining how to find the high and low side lines.
Dude... Vid is Way cool. Very good. Thanks for the huge help.
Great information and explanation, well done!
Thank for that, great video & I love the digital gauges
By law, refrigerator manufacturers should be required to have a recharge valve from factory.
Only commercial ones do not the domestic ones
I'm surprised that that the fieldpiece digital gauges don't have a psi (pressure) to ev (evap temp) conversion reading displayed on the gauge. I know my Testo 550 does.
Great vid, fixing a mini fridge by soldering a access valve. Just not sure if it's the same for all fridges, on highs and lows on the compressor.
I have watched about 10 of these videos. Some have said 2-3 psi, some have said 10-15 psi and some say 25-40 psi. Which one is it? I don't have a vacuum pump to evacuate and do it by weight and I can't even find what my particular fridge is supposed to have.
Do you have the refrigerator on? When adding refrigerant? Can't hear the compressor running
I would have brazed an access valve on the stubby line and found where leak was before calling it good .just adding freon without finding leak is pointless.
I agree with you. Refrigerant leaks should be fixed.
shouldn't have hooked your @10:14 hose up to read neg pressure, you put air / moisture in the fridge from the hose. check when its warn and it would have had pos pressure, or purge your line with gas first
Nice video. Thanks
Nice :) Thumbs up :D
Alex
Is yur frig on I thought the compressor suppose to be on to get the freon in? That gauge is awesome!
I recharged one back in June..Yeah the Compressor is supposed to be running and you give it small bursts of refrigerant at a time til you get it right.
Buddy the Fridge has to be Running .🤔👍🇨🇦
Gotta turn the jug upside down and charge as a liquid
Thank you!
very helpful, thanks alot
very nice thank you for sharing!!!
thanks man
Does that tap valve have a built-in Schrader valve so the gas will not leak out after you take your hoses off?
Are you charging the system with the frig running, I don't hear the compressor running?
No. The tap valve (also called a bullet-piercing valve ... e.g. on Amazon) has a center Allen screw which closes the hole. Once you connect up your R134a can and hose assembly, you loosen the screw by no more than two turns to open the hole, and then you can read the gauge and add R134a, as needed.
Once you are at the correct psi (usually around 2 to 5psi on a fridge/freezer), you re-tighten the Allen screw to close off the hole, you screw the tap valve on the Freon can all the way down to seal the R134a can, THEN you can remove the hose connector.
Pls don’t forget turn upside down 134a tank))))
Question-sounds like you filled the low side while the refrigerator is on. Is that correct?
Yes so the compressor can draw in refrigerant on lo side
Does the process change if you attach the tap valve to the tail? Or does the method for reading and adjusting the pressure remain the same?
I have a Whirlpool side by side refrigerator model number wrs 3 11 s dhm 02 I need to know to make sure that I'm doing it correctly I'm pretty sure I know but to make sure that I'm putting it in the right side the tapping tool and I'd like to know ASAP please what happens is it it all comes on everything comes on I got a control board for the you know for the temperature inside the refrigerator side I replaced it still not cooling so the next thing that I know the check is the refrigerator could please answer me ASAP we need refrigerated bag
My compressor has a short service tube also but I think the low side has a tune too small for a piercing valve, am I ok with the service tube to refill?
Is there a difference in size between low and high side?
Yes high sides a smaller line
Do you find the leak before you added refrigerant?
9-5 Channel - yeah there must have been a leak somewhere...otherwise it would hold a charge for 15-20 years.
AFTER refill ac put back needle or no to the valve or no thank
Good Vid thank you
At 3:13ish, is that the low or high line thats frosting up. Cause my low going thru my coils is fine and when it hits the end when it's about to go to the high port, it's starting to frost up
very informative video thank you very much. what was the reason of Lack of gas? did you find it?
This refrigerator was brought in from an apartment I patched the leak on the low pressure line in the back, sent it back and never had another complaint.
@@blaketuberepairreviews7790 question on using the service line to refill. Does the freezer need to be on to do?
nice tutorial but adding refrigerant doesn't solve the problem permanently it will still leak out of the system eventually.
True but a lot of people just add gas as a cheaper alternative. Absolutely right though it is just a temporary fix without finding the leak.
+IBGreen Alternative Energy Below zero is called a vacuum not negative pressure and is measured in inches if mercury.....I guess none of you ever heard of a P/T chart
@@zeke112964 who are you talking to? Having a bad day? Teach these people instead of being an ass. More knowledge we share, the brighter the population.
Nice Gage set what did that set you back?
Does a running compressor mean thr compressor is good, just low on freon or a leak?
You can check to see if it’s locked up by reading the LRA on the sticker and placing a meter to check amps on startup. If it shoots close or over the LRA then the compressor is no good. You can also check continuity on the compressor itself where the start device (overload) plugs into the compressor.
Can someone tell whats going on with my refrigerator. I added the bullet piercing valve and added freon to the right spec with guages and now the suction pipe in back freezes up, why?
now that you ran the compressor in a vacuum and not repairing the leak only means you are sucking air into the system you are trying to charge..not good practice.
Was thinking the exact same thing.
Yes sir. He needed to fix the leak, pull a vacuum, then recherche.
He soldered the leak before this vid. I read it in another comment.
What do you do if you over fill system
What adapter hose do you use? I cannot seem to find the right hose to connect to the piercing valve.
You just need to buy a R12/R22 to R134a adapter from Pep Boys or any other automotive store. It screws onto the piercing valve's R12/R22 connector, then you can use the same hose connector on your fridge or your vehicle's [low-side] port.
How do I know where to put the valve?
What is the correct amount of PSI to put in my LG LFX31925ST/00 ? Not
ounce, I already know that. I wanna know PSI because gauge doesn't show
in ounce. Freon is R134A
Aim for about 2 to 5psi. But just be sure you use the correct scale on the gauge. (The R134a scale is usually light blue in color).
My opinion first check why the gas suddenly low in refrigerator
Why was the low side negative?
Too little gas, under vacuum
How many gigahertz is that MAC?
Can I ask questions, the piercing valve work long life 10:20 10:20
If the piercing valve work long time
Saya ingin membeli digital manifold gauge seperti yang ada pada video ini dan saya mohon bantuannya
how much r u selling the bad boy
Nice gauges but I have to agree with these guys below me. I believe the fine for even hooking up gauges to a seal system without your 608 license it’s 10k. I hope you have one which I assume you don’t because as people stated refrigerant does not run out, it leaks out. 🤦🏻♂️
Must be from Cali...
You are right. That's the EPA regulations.
Hi where to buy that Tap valse
weld on valve
you didn't clean the line...said it, didn't do it lol. get some Emory cloth for the next remake
Bro, the evaporator running in a vacuum actually indicates a restriction and not an undercharge
So you say you don't know anything about refrigerant but yet your working on it? You shouldn't be touching anything with refrigerant if you don't know anything about it.
And the person that reports the epa violation also gets 10k, just saying 😂
Instant leak....guaranteed
Listening to you talk, you really have no business dealing with refrigerant let alone you probably don't even have license to obtain it. These are hermetically closed systems that never need refrigerant. You adding refrigerant to the system means there's a leak. EPA standards require you find the leak, repair it, before adding refrigerant to a system. You get caught doing this there's a hefty fine and jail time. I know you mean well, but you need to be educated with this.. Along with understanding subcooling and superheat. Just some friendly advice
+Jesterj9 You don't need a license to buy 134a refrigerant .....you can but it at any auto parts store or Wal-Mart ....Just some friendly advice....
walmart lol and its funny 134a is not azeotrope
Besides, he is adding refrigerant with the tank upright. He should fill in liquid form.
+Jesterj9 - Who died and make you a " PRO ", LMFAO.
Fieldpiece*