In this article, we’ll look at the causes of Freon leaking and how to fix it. Experts identify the following reasons your refrigerator is leaking Freon:
- Refrigerator damage;
- Hot products stored in the fridge;
- Fridge damage after ice cleaning;
- Refrigerator installed in the wrong position.
Freon is a type of refrigerant used in a fridge produced before 1995. You need to ensure that Freon does not leak out of the refrigerator. If Freon is leaking, it can affect the cooling rate of the fridge and your safety. Freon does not ignite, and its evaporation does not entail serious consequences for human health. However, the ingress of this refrigerant into a flame can form a gas that is fatal to humans. Its fumes can cause headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and other severe symptoms.
Work with Freon can only be done by a maintenance specialist who has a license to work with this refrigerant. So, you must call a professional specialist that has a permit and experience to work with Freon. However, if you need to solve this problem temporarily, we will give you some tips.
What is Freon?
Freon is a synthetic refrigerant that radiates heat. It was named Freon by DuPont. Freon is used in older refrigerators models to cool food. The refrigerant has a very high boiling point and thus can absorb heat in the liquid state and turn into a gas. Further, the requirement of the refrigerator itself is to make a liquid out of gas. Thus, it can be said that it is an odorless non-flammable gas.
Freon leak signs:
- The smell of freshly cut grass near the refrigerator;
- Appearing oil on the floor near the refrigerator;
- The fridge’s motor is constantly running;
- Your refrigerator does not cool food properly.
Why might your refrigerator be leaking Freon?
As we have mentioned before experts identify the following reasons your refrigerator is leaking Freon:
- Refrigerator damage;
- Hot products stored in the fridge;
- Fridge damage after ice cleaning;
- Refrigerator installed in the wrong position.
Usually, the problem with the flow of Freon in the refrigerator relates to the incorrect working of the system used to cool the liquid. This in turn could be due to an outdated system that has failed or a pipe puncture.
However, before proceeding with the elimination of Freon leaks, make sure that:
- Condenser coils are not clogged with debris;
- Refrigerator vents are clean;
- The internal components of the refrigerator such as the thermostat are not damaged and are working properly;
- The condenser fans operate without failure.
In the next paragraph, we will look at how you can try to fix a Freon leak in more detail.
How to fix Freon Leak?
To fix the Freon leak it is necessary to add a seat valve, get rid of the air, and use PAG oil when adding Freon to the system. Now follow our steps to solve your problem:
- Add a seat valve
This valve should be on the large copper pipe coming out of the compressor. A seat valve is needed to pierce the pipe to allow access to add new refrigerant.
- Get rid of the air
Use a vacuum pump to remove the system of air. You can rent it from a tool rental shop or buy it from a store that sells tools needed for repairs.
- Add Freon to the system
Put the hose on the valve and fill the missing amount of refrigerant.
- Use PAG oil
Add a few tablespoons of oil when adding Freon to the system. The amount of oil depends on your model and type of refrigerator. To find out exactly how much oil you need, read the instructions for your refrigerator.
If you need to repair a refrigerator leaking Freon you can call a household appliance repair service. This work is complex and requires experience, skills, and a sophisticated equipment permit to work with Freon.
Call the professional craftsman
Our company Atlas Appliance Repair provides services for the repair of household appliances. In addition to Freon leak elimination, we repair household appliances such as:
- Washing machines;
- Drying machines;
- Microwaves;
- Kitchen ovens;
- Refrigerators.
You can find a complete list of our services on our website. We work with all types of household appliances such as service electric, propane, and gas equipment. Our services also include garage door repairs and renovation projects. We hold ourselves to high standards, and our team consists of exclusively professional workers. Furthermore, all of our components and labor come with a warranty.
After your call, our repairman will come with all the necessary equipment and help eliminate your household appliance problem. Go to our website to view our repair services and read interesting and useful articles. We are glad to provide prompt, courteous service. We take pleasure in doing our best for every customer we serve at Atlas Appliances Repair.
FAQ
If your refrigerator was manufactured after 1995, it likely does not use Freon.
In the 1970s, experts concluded that Freon has a harmful effect on the ozone layer. For this reason, this refrigerant has been no longer used in refrigerators in most countries since 1995.
At home, you can detect Freon leaks with soap and water. Mix these two components in a spray bottle and spray on the place where Freon can leak. If you have a Freon leak, you will see a bubble.
You can buy Freon in equipment repair shops, as well as in spare parts stores.
When trying to buy this refrigerant, you need to consider that Freon is gradually disappearing from stores. It can be challenging to find.
When buying Freon, you may be asked for an EPA certificate, which confirms that you have been trained to repair refrigerators with Freon. If you have this certificate, you can buy a refrigerant.
