URGENT: My '57 GE Combination -- Is it Done For?

[combo52]

Newer Compressor For A 57 GE Combination

Embracos are very quiet, there used to be an adptor mounting kit sold that allowed you to easily replace the old style GE compressors, My Brother Jeff used one when he installed a new Tecumseh compressor in my 1960 GE upright Frost Guard freezer 35 years ago [ it still works great ] but I stopped using it at our house about 5 years ago because it used way too much power and made the pantry too warm.

 

The GE FGF is at the museum now and is only turned on for events at the warehouse where we need to keep a lot of frozen food.

 

John

 

[rp2813]

Thanks John.  I'll see what I can find out about any adaptive mounting kit.

 

Also, regarding David's comments above about the need for some extra oil, would 12 cf be considered a full size fridge, and where would I find a drier?  Do I need a particular type or would any old drier work?

 

[turbokinetic]

Drier and parts...

Hi Ralph.  I usually order parts from eBay HVAC wholesalers when I have time to wait. Supco sells driers in various sizes which have stepped tubing on the output end. That helps you to attach the capillary tube to the dryer.  Just see what size the condenser outlet is and order accordingly.

 

Here is an example of one which includes a Schrader port for connecting to the system, as well as the smaller end to solder the cap tube into.

Loading…

www.ebay.com

 

Embraco sells compressors which are for low,  low/medium, or medium backpressure applications. When run at sub-zero temperatures the compressor has little gas density going through the housing to cool the motor. The low backpressure models are designed to operate with this low density return flow.  The medium backpressure are capable of handling higher suction pressures without overloading the motor. They are used for higher temperature systems that may not run in a frosted condition.

The low/medium design can work in either application; as well as applications which may run in both modes of operation. In the event that the compressor size you use to replace your original is slightly over / undersized, if you have chosen a low/medium rated compressor it will withstand the slight off-sizing without being outside of its design parameters. Just a suggestion.

 

[rp2813]

Repair Cost

The guy at the appliance parts store referred me to a repair person who recently replaced the compressor on an older GE refrigerator (likely not anywhere near as old as mine), so I called him.  He quoted me $1,100!  Yeah, that won't be happening.

 

Plan B is to see if the home warranty that expires next month will cover it.  Since repair would have to pencil out as the same or less cost as replacement, I'll advise that the Combo is counter depth (such types these days can cost more) and BS them about ADA-friendly features that make it easier for Dave to access contents.  If that fails, the Combo goes to the curb.

 

Two single door GEs have surfaced in the past couple of days, one a '53 and the other a '56, both $100 or less, but neither one is a Combination, so defrosting would be more hands-on than I'm willing to deal with, and the freezer won't be a true zero degree environment IIRC.   I'll keep looking, as the home warranty route will likely lead to a dead end.

 

[northwesty]

I

would definitely keep the vegetable drawers and the shelf above them, and also the door seal as I don't think they make that gasket anymore. Also the temp gauge.

For the $1100 would it be like a new fridge? I think it is a pretty involved process so I am not surprised. Best of luck in finding a replacement.

 

[rp2813]

Step One

The repair guy sent out by the home warranty co. was here today.  He was in his mid '40s and seemed to be eastern European, which is common in these parts.  He went bananas over the fridge and took a lot of pictures to share with co-workers, as well as a shot of the model/serial plate.  I told him I was 1,000% sure it wouldn't be in anybody's database, and of course he got nothing when he punched the info into his phone.

 

He urged me to get it fixed, even though he didn't know how to do the job.  He did confirm that the compressor is shot, he took measurements of the box for replacement purposes and will be providing a report to the home warranty co.  He said they will want to replace rather than repair.  Yes, of course they will.

 

I looked on line and couldn't find a counter depth top freezer fridge anywhere.  They are all either french door or side by sides.   He mentioned the slim ugly apartment size ones as an option, but that's unacceptable to me.  I'll attempt to negotiate a cash settlement.  The cheapest full size counter depth I could find was $1,200 and most were closer to double that, with the most expensive topping $4K.

 

So let's say I get a settlement that will cover the cost of repair by the guy I already contacted.  Will an Embraco fit through the opening in the back, or will the R&R have to be done through the bottom?   I don't want to pursue this if there's no way to fit an Embraco into place.

 

 

 

[combo52]

A replacement Compressor For A 57 GE ref

Hi Ralph, the compressor is replaced through the bottom, the GE compressor will not fit through the rear opening either.

 

I would just take an Embraco out of a 6-15 YO WP, KM, GE 18 CF TF refrigerator, that will save several hundred right there, a new filter-dryer [ $10-25 ] and 10-12 Oz of R-134A refrigerant [ $ 10-20 ] and 2-3 hours labor by an experienced tech [ $100-150 ] per hour and you should be good to go.

 

John

 

[rp2813]

Thanks John.  I don't know if the one guy I spoke with who is willing to do the work would be willing to install a used compressor, but I'll certainly inquire about it if I'm able to work out a settlement with First American.

 

[cuffs054]

If you can get it replaced, sell the new one and use the money to fix the old one.

 

[rp2813]

Progress?

Just after the technician left day before yesterday, I received an automated e-mail from First American inquiring about where things stood, and whether I needed further assistance.  In my reponse I added a note advising them not to kick this issue to a bottom feeder call center employee (through my experience working for a RBOC, I know how this sort of thing works, and these days they're all ESL robots) and instead to have someone with the skills, abilities and authority to make a decision contact me.

 

Yesterday I received a call from a sweet girl named Lizzy, located in Santa Rosa, of all places, who was beside herself over how long I've been waiting for a resolution.  She hadn't seen the tech's report and advised she'd contact the company and get the information.  She waived the service fee.  I explained to her that I wanted to keep this fridge rather than replace it and told her why, and she completely understood. 

 

Just now she called back to advise that the tech confirmed he couldn't work on a sealed system, and that she has gone directly to GE and will have someone contact me.  I laughed and told her I didn't think GE would know what to do about it, and she laughed too, but said we'll at least give it a try.  There's likely a process she needs to follow.  She's considering this an emergency repair and said I should hear from GE today, and that she'll call me back to follow up tomorrow.

 

We'll see where this leads.  She seems determined in her pursuit of repair, or at the very least a satisfactory resolution.

 

 

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">While it seems perfectly understandable that "Lizzy" would resort to contacting GE as a start, vintage appliance-savvy people realize how futile that may be but at least she's trying. There's always a chance she managed to contact a genuine, caring GE associate. You deserve an A+ for your determination and effort. </span>

 

[rp2813]

GE never contacted me and Lizzie couldn't get through to them either.  They didn't return any of her calls, so she just moved on.  Sad commentary.  Haier probably doesn't even man that phone line anymore.

 

Today another appliance guy showed up.  His company will work on sealed systems.   I was dismayed when he said he'd have to see if parts were available.  Of course they're not -- if you're looking for the exact/authorized GE part number for the compressor. 

 

I told the guy about the information that was shared here about Embraco compressors, but he said installing an Embraco would amount to "customization," which isn't something they would do or stand behind, and likely wouldn't be anything the home warranty company would cover either.  I went on to tell him that the knowledgeable owner of the nearby independent appliance parts store confirmed that an Embraco compressor would be the likely replacement option and that they're widely used for this purpose.  Yet again, the tech said there's a process he needs to follow, and that he'd get back to me once he had researched parts and repair options.  He also called a guy he said was their refrigerator expert and described the Combination to him.  I could hear the expert mentioning the metal ID tag and the four terminals on the compressor, so at least he knows what he's up against.

 

I should be hearing from Lizzie and/or the repair tech sometime later this week, and will report in after that.

 

[supersuds]

I admire your determination in sticking with this. Surprised you got anything other than a flat “no,” so that’s something, anyway. Hope it works out.

 

[combo52]

Replacing a compressor on 57 GE ref

Yes indeed we admire your efforts Ralph, but unfortunately you have to find a tech that is looking for more than a paycheck,

 

The guy is not even thinking or knows very little if he is worried about the old compressor having four terminals, there are only two wires supplying 120 volts to the compressor coming out of the refrigerators harness that need to get connected to the new compressors relay.

 

John

 

[rp2813]

Yes John, the "expert" guy was explaining to the guy on site that any replacement compressor would only have two terminals on it. 

 

Call me crazy, but that seems to indicate that something other than the original type of compressor needs to be considered for a replacement, and that the "expert" realizes this.

 

I don't know why these repair businesses don't want to take advantage of the home warranty arrangement and perform the  work, other than the possibility that the cost of repair won't pencil out for the warranty company to move forward and approve it.

 

Meanwhile, there's a nice looking '50s IH fridge on CL right now, but it's a single door without a true zero freezer.  Also a couple of monitor tops, a '30s Coldspot, a late '40s Westinghouse single door, and two late '70s looking Westinghouse frost free ones.  Except for the monitor tops, Coldspot, and old Westy, they are all too deep to fit in the spot.  Not a Combination to be found, but things are picking up compared to what they were when I first started looking in early February.  Maybe spring cleaning will work in my favor if repairing what I have ultimately isn't an option.

 

[rp2813]

The saga continues.  I'm skeptical about the latest update from Miss Lizzie.  She said they can't secure all of the necessary parts.

 

Is there anything crucial to repair besides the compressor and drier?  I think they just want to replace the fridge instead and be done with it.

 

I have inquired about which parts they can't find and haven't yet received a reply.