The Kelvinator From Hell - not for weak stomachs

[Versatronic]

So far

The smell is barely perceptable now.

 

[Versatronic]

Some Questions For .....

Austion, I did plug this in when I first got it into the kitchen and it did come on. I didn't wait for it to get cold or anything. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't doa.

Here're are some questions for anyone in the know. First, how important is it that this this is perfectly level? It has two leveling feet on the front that are screwed tight into the beast, and the back two feet are missing. I currently have it on this handy little appliance roller that I found at the hardware store. It allows you to move your appliance around so you can clean behind it, etc. Now, I realize, that if the thing isn't reasonable level, I could get some spillage out of the pan that catches the water. But outside of that, how level do you think it has to be and how much effort should I put into that.

Secondly, there was a piece of carboard that had fiberglass insulation on one side that was attached across the bottom of the fridge (underneath). Sorry to say, it didn't make it in one piece. I could try to duct tape it back together (it's torn in half) and try to somehow get it up in there again. I'd just as soon not bother with it if I don't have to. There is a piece of cardboard with fiberglass insulation on one side across the back of the fridge. That made it just fine. For the one on the bottom, what is its purpose and can I live without it?

Any help would be appreciated.

Versatronic

 

[fixerman]

If you can't get the mold stain off of the gaskets satisfactorily you could replace it with a universal one if the factory gaskets are NLA. There are gasket kits you can buy. They come in four pieces and cut to fit and the ends are glued together. They work pretty well.

 

[fixerman]

It should be reasonably level. Usually you want the front to be a little higher so the doors close easily. You might want to plug it in and be sure it is cooling before going any further with the cleanup. If there is a problem with the refrigerant or compressor the machine is likely junk. If it doesn't work the cleaning will be all for naught.

The cardboard with the insulation on the bottom is to protect your floors from the hot compressor. It should be on there. It will work but I have seen floors burned from the heat of the compressor.

 

[Versatronic]

Thank you so much

You know what, I'm going to plug it in right now for a while and see if it gets cold. The thing is tilted from front to back. Maybe it's ok the way it is.

 

[Versatronic]

Well

The fridge has been running for 50 minutes now. The freezer temperature is down to 15 degrees. It seems there's no problem there. The fridge part doesn't appear to be cold at all. There is metal around the fridge where it appears the coldness is supposed to eminate. The metal is cold to the touch. However, the walls and floor of the fridge do not feel cold to the touch and the air doesn't feel cold. How long should it take for the fridge to get cold or do I have a major problem on my hands?

By the way, this thing is kinda loud. Nothing I couldn't tolerate, but there's kind of a buzzing to it when it's running.

 

[fixerman]

Good sign it is beginning to cool. Means the compressor is putting out. Usually it will take 24 hours for the temperatures to normalize. Those coils in the refrigerator compartment should eventually frost all the way across. They will defrost when the refrigerator cycles off. The temps in the refrigerator compartment should be 35 to 40 degrees and around 0 in the freezer. The big thing is that the coils frost up completely. Some compressors can get noisy. Perhaps the cardboard on the bottom with some insulation on it was also meant to dampen some of the compressor noise.

 

[Versatronic]

Update

The Fridge has been running for an hour and a half. The freezer is holding a perfect 5 degree temperature. The fridge is set at 9. The metial band that runs around the top of the fridge compartment is cold to the touch and it's even frosting a bit. The rest of the compartment is warm. Something doesn't seem to be right. Is a fan supposed to be blowing the cold around or something.

I need a diagnosis here. Does anyone have an educated guess what's going on?

 

[Versatronic]

God Bless You Fixerman

You beat me to the punch. Thanks for the diagnosis. OK, I'll let it run all night, hope it doesn't blow a fuse or start a fire, and we'll see what we have in the morning. Thanks again!

 

[fixerman]

It sound normal so far. I would close it up and wait until tomorrow to see if the coils in the refrigerator compartment are frosted all the way across. The fan is only for the freezer air circulation on this model. The fan in the freezer should come on but on some friges it is delayed until the defrost terminator is satisfied, meaning the freezer has to reach a certain temperature before the fan comes on. On refriges with coils in the refrigerator compartment, there is no forced air circulation in the refrigerator compartment.

 

[petek]

Looking good Mike. I'm wondering if instead of replacing that cardboard with fiberglas stuff back if you took used a piece of fiberglas acoustic ceiling tile instead, it won't burn and it may just absorb some of the noise better.

 

[Versatronic]

Success!

The Kelvy from Hell has frozen over. The fridge is at 40 degrees. Using a insulated drop ceiling tile would probably be the easiest thing to cut and get up in there to replace the carboard backed one. That is a great idea. I'll do that. Once I clean up the grill and put it on the bottom front, that may baffle the sound just a tad as well.

Well, thanks so much everyone. I'm going to unplug it 'til next weekend. If I need more input next weekend, I'll post the question(s) here. Thanks again!

 

[Kevinpreston3]

Looks like you saved it!

Congrats.

Further detailing will nudge the unit more and more to "yours", especially when sparkling clean and loaded with your food.

Good job, me and my 1963 GE salute you!

 

[swestoyz]

Nothin like a....

Nice cold fridge and some ice cold beer. That is my favorite test, turn it on for the first time and put a six-pac inside, and see if they are cool the next day. Once cleaned, you'll be happy with the fridge. Glad to hear things are looking up!

Ben

 

[spiralactivator]

Congratulations. You've brought a classic Kelvinator back from the dead.

 

[goatfarmer]

The buzzing sound might be a loose drain pan,or a coil holding bracket that's loose.Doesn't sound like anything major.Great job!

Is that model frost free in the freezer? I think some of those Kelvy's used hot gas defrost,which is a system I know little to nothing about.One more thing to check.

kennyGF

 

[fixerman]

It must be frost free in the freezer as the freezer does not have exposed coils and apparently has a evap fan. Kenny, you may be right about the defrost being hot gas type. The machine defrost should be checked out too but usually that can be repaired if there is a problem.

 

[Versatronic]

It is frost free

Yeah, it is a frost free fridge. I already had a vintage fridge and I could have used that if I cared to. I didn't want to go through the drfrosting ritual each month.

 

[goatfarmer]

What I'm saying is you need to make sure the Kelvinators defrost system is working.

kennyGF

 

[toggleswitch]

Due to my location away form homw I was not able to thouroughly read the above, so pls take this with a grain of salt..

Many times the evaporator fan (in the freezer in this case)
does not run when one (or both) of the doors is open...

regards,
Steve