HELP! GE LH-12 refridgerator not cooling properly and running constantly.

[combo52]

How To Troubleshoot

First what are the actual temps, taking the temperature of IC that has been in the ref for 24 hours is good, it can be taken instantly with an instant read thermometer.

 

You can also take the test the temperature of a glass of water in the ref section.

 

If it is failing to get cold enough the compressor needs a vacuum test if it passes that install a new filter dryer and recharge.

 

If the compressor needs replacing you can adapt hundreds of different compressors to fit this ref, IF you use an older GEC be sure to test it for proper ability to pull a 30" vacuum before bothering to install it, older GECs are often worn out.

 

John L.

 

 

[oldschoolmeg]

I've been testing the juice in a pickle jar in the fridge regularly and it started off at 35 deg and this morning it was 37 deg. I have an expensive thermapen instant-read so I'm confident that my measurements are correct. I'm thinking now a leak just because if it was left alone overnight it should've at least been the same temp or lower in that pickle jar. I've been keeping a stick thermometer in the freezer compartment to keep up with temp there. I don't have any ice cream or anything like that in there at the moment. It was staying around 20 deg every time I checked that.

I've asked some other people on a thread and they acted like replacing the compressor with a modern one was downright sacrilegious. But maybe they are a little biased. Whatever is best I will do. I am a little skeptical of putting an equally likely to fail older compressor back in this unit.

John--are you suggesting retrofitting a new compressor onto this? Along with replacing the need for R-12 with R-134? Like I said, I have no apprehensions to a complete retrofit or replacing with a similar older model, as long as it works and continues to for a long time.

 

[neptunebob]

I am surprised here...

About how lax some people here are about refrigerants, especially R12, which is supposed to be banned.  I was trained that an intentional release of refrigerants by a technician can result in a $25,000 fine from the EPA and a possible jail sentence.  Do you really want to take the chance of having to take group showers with Bubba?

 

A licensed and certified technician will recover all refrigerants and diagnose and repair the leak once and for all.  If that is not possible, then the refrigerant should be recovered, a sticker placed on the unit, and then the appliance can be recycled and disposed of.

 

Meg, replacing a compressor is not unheard of, you would just have to find a technician willing to do so.  There is at least 1 thread where someone replaced the system in 1966 GE refrigerator.  Good luck!

 

Oh, and a new compressor is likely to be of another brand like Techumseh or Embraco, GE had a scandal with compressors wearing out back in the 80s.

 

[oldschoolmeg]

Bubba

"Do you really want to take the chance of having to take group showers with Bubba?"
This actually made me laugh out loud! I appreciate your concern for me and the people on here, and quite frankly, the environment. Being a millennial or gen z (not sure which one honestly) I am concerned about mishandling R-12 myself. However, I am not willing to throw away this fridge just yet. I do plan on trying everything possible to get this thing running right. Do you by any chance have the link to this compressor overhaul thread?

 

[neptunebob]

Try thread 84642

There is also another longer thread about it that is earlier that explains more.  Do you have an EPA certification and the equipment to go into a sealed system.  Remember, there is only one place more stressful than a men's prison - a prison for women!

 

[oldschoolmeg]

Members only post?

It doesn’t seem like I can access the older threads on here. Thread # 84642 must be older. Is that a members only feature to be able to access these older posts? I don’t plan on doing any retrofitting myself. Im going to try to find a tech or HVAC person do it.