1953 Hotpoint combo problems

[rickr]

I have been using this trusty Hotpoint as a basement fridge for about twelve years with no problems. I noticed a funny noise the other day, and to my surprise, today I found the freezer is only cooling down to forty seven degrees. The refrigerator section is cooling to thirty seven degrees. The noise is coming from the freezer, and is much more audible when the freezer door is open. (see video) The unit still cycles on and off, and the coils in the refrigerator still frost and cool while the compressor is running. I have a feeling it is low on refrigerant, which is not a good thing. That means we have a leak. If we have a leak, that means it is time for a "new" old fridge. Other ideas anyone?

 

[turbokinetic]

Geez!

I can't say that I have ever heard a noise like that from a fridge.

 

Not too familiar with these models. Does it have a condenser fan? If so, is that fan working correctly?

 

Leaks can be hard to locate, but they are no reason to give up on the fridge; especially if you can use your own time and skills to locate and repair it. 

 

Sincerely,

David 

 

[rickr]

Thanks for the reply. No condenser fan with this model. Just the standard stationary coils on the back. The coils only get slightly warm now. Not hot, like they used to get.

 

[turbokinetic]

Yeah if the coils don't get hot there's probably a loss of charge. Look for any oily places around where lines connect to the evaporator coils or other parts where dissimilar metals are soldered.

 

 

[rickr]

FYI

The Hotpoint was low on refrigerant, as I suspected. There was a leak in the refrigerant line, that leads internally to the freezer section. We scrapped it out today. Saved the door latches, 3 wire cord that I had added years ago, the crisper drawers, one shelf, the door switches, and the compressor. I figure if I save all this for parts for the 1948 GE combo in the kitchen, I will never need them. Hate to scrap the Hotpoint, however it was not a restored fridge, just a basement fridge. It was replace with a one door Kelvinator fridge from the late 1940's.

 

[rp2813]

Rick

Sadly, nobody wants to work on these old boxes even it the repair wouldn't be all that complex.  My '57 GE Combo which is in great shape may be doomed because I can't find anyone to replace its compressor.   The excuses they make don't hold water.  They just can't be bothered, even when I tell them I wouldn't expect any sort of warranty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rickr]

That is too bad Ralph. I know how much you liked that fridge. I do have friends here that can do the refrigeration repairs, but in this case, it just was not worth the trouble involved. If it was the 1948 GE, I would have repaired it. But the Hotpoint was an unrestored, not that nice, basement fridge. The Kelvinator is built like a tank! And it has all the drawers and shelves, intact. In the spring, I will repaint it myself, and replace the door gasket. Someone had already installed a three wire cord. Kelvinator was a NASCAR garage fridge for someone, and I spent all afternoon removing a hideous stickers from the door. BTW, cooking oil, and an old hair dryer do wonders to dissolve hardened bumper sticker adhesive..... Still, a great working old 1940's fridge for $100.00 I am happy! Hope you find someone out there to repair the 57 GE Comb. It is a beautiful fridge.