Vent: Fridge compressor swap I did 3 times before realizing my mistake

So I was working on this old Whirlpool fridge for a customer last week. I swapped the compressor, vacuumed it down, and it still wouldn't cool right. Did it all over again, same thing. Third time I finally noticed I had a tiny crack in the suction line from where I bent it too sharp getting it out. Cost me 3 hours and a new dryer each time. Anyone else ever miss something simple like that and beat yourself up over it?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_lisa1mo ago

I read something online about a guy who did the exact same thing with a split system - he kept swapping parts for three days before noticing the service valve was barely open. Just a quarter turn more on the valve and it would have worked fine. Funny how the simplest stuff gets you when you're in a hurry, right?

mark4361mo ago

Heard a similar story from a buddy who spent all afternoon chasing a no-cool issue on a commercial freezer. Turns out he forgot to pull the schrader core out of the service valve, so the vacuum pump couldn't really pull all the moisture. Three hours lost for something that small really stings, man.

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kimr741mo ago

Honestly @mark436, that's the kind of thing that makes you wanna throw your tools across the shop. Was it a short sight glass or some other clue that tipped him off, or did he just finally notice the valve when he was breaking down for the day? I've done similar with liquid line driers before, swapped two of them before realizing I left the king valve barely cracked on the receiver tank. You ever have one of those jobs where you're SO sure it's something major, but it's always the silly little thing that gets you?