SubZero Shortcoming

[a440]

I posted a question in the Shoppers Square on one of the ads for a SubZero, and thought I would also post it here.
I have never seen any discussion and am curious to find out what are the actual issues with SubZero Refrigerator's / Freezers. It seems that everyone has had a story to tell about the issues of SubZero being reliable over the years. I have never heard anyone break it down as to the reason why they are issue prone.
Over the last 50+ years of very good designs of refrigeration systems for home food use that were reliable...I am curious as to what are the failures of these SubZero units?
Any thoughts from owners are actual techs?
I see so many of these wonderful beasts offered for sale and actually given for free just to take it off of their hands.
Just Curious.
B

 

[funktionalart]

Subzero owner here~

Brent--
There are going to be a lot of differences of opinion about these units up here, so I will just tell you my experience, and what bits I can remember about the not-so-great things: Keep in mind I do NOT know what the stories are with newer (Post circa 1990-ish) units--all I know about those is that many models are dual compressor, and like a great many newer fridges, digital/electronic control boards are now the norm.

I've known ALOT of people who have owned these and nobody has ever had serious issues--of course they did regular standard maintenance and didn't neglect their units. Most of these people are family members who all got well over 25 years' use before doing anything major. Several longer than that. But when you go online...you'll see ample bitching!

So, coming from the standpoint of personally having a mid-late 1980s side-by-side (which has it's basic working design directly from the '60s) I can tell you this:

Top mounted single compressor/condensor. Condensor MUST be kept clear of dust/lint buildup (frequent checking and cleaning...a must as with any standard fridge). Same for compressor fan -- it should be in tip-top running order to properly divert heat away.

**ALSO, you are probably aware--anything made before about 1995 is going to be running R12 Freon unless the compressor has been changed out or the system completely drained and replaced with 134a or one of the other newer blends.**

Freezer evaporators *can* be dicey with age as I understand there was a long period of time where SubZero were using copper which was prone to pinhole leaks over time and resulting icebergs building up/melting causing leaks. There will be some evidence of this in form of a greenish residue.

Compressor start relays can go--but so can those in any unit.

Most of what would ever need standard replacement can be done and there are zillions of parts online. I constantly see availability of all 3 of the fans my side-by-side would require....compressors are by Embraco...also tons of them out there anywhere from $100-circa $250. Same for cold control/thermostat, yadda yadda....

Anyway...just thought I'd share that. SubZ's do not scare me--I'm of the mindset that ANYTHING which managed to be produced in the first place CAN be fixed if what you buy is not fully perfect in operation and you're interested enough to get it running right. Out here in Phoenix, and almost everywhere anymore, these units are cropping up CHEAP as chips and I personally am willing to take on another!

Allen

 

[tomturbomatic]

Allen has it right. Especially in kitchens with gas stoves, the heat and grease in the air near the refrigeration machinery can cause problems not only with dirt, but also the heat can cause them to go out on thermal overload. As for the evaporators, I got my all-refrigerator because the evaporator developed pinhole leaks. Fortunately, it was not a finned evaporator so it was easy to replace.

 

[a440]

Thanks Allen and Tom.
I never thought about the compressor and such being strained because of the heat in the kitchen. It is also good to know you can find parts easily. I have always admired all the various Subzero's through the years, and have actually seen quite a few older models still running when I go to estate sales. It is just everyone that pops up in the Atlanta area the ad states that it is not running. When I write the seller to ask if they have a clue what could be wrong, they usually state they are just tired of having it worked on. Also the unit is usually in the garage waiting for it's new owner.

 

[perc-o-prince]

The one we had was installed circa late 1970's. Ice maker failed early on and was repaired. Failed at least one more time and was repaired.

At least one of the compressor motors failed in about the mid-'90's and was replaced with "what the repairman could get." It was definitely louder than the original.

We think the ice maker failed a third time and was not tended to as water built up between the top of the freezer and bottom of the fresh chest. It would freeze and thaw, causing damage to the plastic.

It was unplugged circa 2007. We replaced it about a year ago with a Kitchen Aid (I didn't hook up the ice/water). It was in the upstairs "good" kitchen, so we weren't in a hurry.

We saw plenty of used SZs here that were available, but with what we heard from local people and others here, we didn't pursue any of them.

Chuck