1959 Frigidaire Frost Free Refrigerator compressor not starting

[jason60chev]

Hello All,
I have a 1959 Frigidaire Frost Free Refrigerator/Freezer(Bottom freezer) Model F-142-59. Have had for about 14 years.

Last August, before I left for an extended job, I emptied, turned off and unplugged it. It had been working.

When I returned, a few weeks ago, it is not working. The interior lights come on, but the compressor only seems to "Hum". Neither of the fans are operating. I've had two appliance people come out(One who was supposed to be knowledgeable about these machines) and both say the compressor is at fault.

The 2nd one said that he could possibly retro fit a modern compressor into the unit,but could not guarantee that it would work/work well.

The original compressor is a 7/32HP British made rotary compressor, I believe. It has angled fins all the way around. I doubt that I could find a replacement, short of buying a parts fridge.

I replaced the Relay and Capacitor with NOS parts, with no change. Still does what it was doing.

Any thoughts?.......Source for a replacement compressor? Good appliance techs in Tampa, Fl........Anything else that I can do? I have a Tech/Service manual, but it only goes so far.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[combo52]

1959 Frigidaire refrigerator, compressor problem?

The compressor can be replaced with a modern 1/3 hp R1 34 a compressor, it takes some skill and adaptation, but it's doable.

I'm curious as to why neither fan motor is working. They both should be running so you may have other problems as well. They're not dependent on the compressor running.

Older frost free refrigerators are much harder to keep running extremely long times, this one is already 65 years old, I do find that the mid 60s GE frost free refrigerators that used gas defrost seem to be one of the more durable frost free refrigerators that you actually have a reasonable shot of keeping working, but nothing last forever unfortunately.

John

 

[imperial70]

hum that you hear

Wild guess... Could it be that the defrost timer is what is actually humming and is stuck in the defrost interval?

 

[goatfarmer]

David Allen is in Alabama.

 

[jason60chev]

Response to reply#2

I've cycled the defrost timer, several times and it turns the machine off and then back on.

I'm wondering about the fans not running, either.

 

[cfz2882]

check NOS parts

They could be faulty after a long period of disuse-especially the capacitor,they can absorb moisture and corrode terminals off inside. Could also try to run the compressor by itself with a "cheater cord"

 

[jean1965]

I work for a museum. I would like to talk to you about your 1959 Frigidaire Lacework Styling frost-free refrigerator.