Moving a freezer

So, Dave, is it migration of lubricant oil that is the problem? Does
lubricant oil migrate into the compressor cylinder and then crack the
cylinder because it is not as compressible as gas? Or is it the coolant that
is the problem?

Dave

That is generally true about freezers and refrigerators.  You might
contact Amana.

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 00:12:49 GMT, "Peter Wells" <rth @yahoo.com>
wrote:

This is Turtle.

It is just nice to transport up right but if you lay it down. just put it back
up right 24 hours before tring to operate it. This will give the oil time to run
back into the compressor before running it without oil in it.

TURTLE

This is Turtle.

Freon will not be in the picture for messing up when laying it on it's side.

Oil will be the problem when laying it on it's side. The oil will travel back
out the compressor through the suction line and drain all the oil out of the
compressor back toward the evaperator coil. When you stand it up for 24 hours
the oil will drain / migrate back to the compressor by way of the return suction
tubing line and put the oil back in the comprssor so it will have the oil to
lube the compressor when it starts. The oil will not drain or flow through the
valves or pistons of the compressor and out the high side line. It just will not
make it out that away for when the compressor is not running the valve will shut
off and oil can't flow that away. It's just too much stuff in it way to travel
that away. Now oil will flow back out the suction line real easy and drain the
compressor.

TURTLE

This is Turtle.

The freon being in a liquid state would not seem to be a issue here. Most
refrigerators and freezers made in the last 20 years or so will only have 4 to
11 ounces of liquid freon in them and the volume of the compressor shell, freon
lines, and evaperator coil. The area inside these items would let the freon
almost completely change back to a vapor state. Now when a system is running
there will be only about 2 ounces of liquid being formed in the liquid line just
before entering the cap tube of the system.

Also the liquid freon if any left after turning it off for more than a few hours
with door open. You could not get the liquid freon to go anywhere in the system
to cause a problem by turning it on anyside or even upside down. The oil would
be the only problem with it going where it should not be. Also if the inside of
the refrigerator goes to 60??F or above. there is nothing but vapor freon in the
system.

Also the New Whirpool 25 cubic Ft. side by side refrigerator only holds 5.5
ounces of liquid R-134-A freon. There is just not enough of liquid left to have
when the system is turned off. Oil is the problem.

TURTLE

Hi Guys,

Upright is best, but if you watch which side you lay it on,
horizontal's OK too. Here's a short article I wrote on the
subject a while back:
www.DavesRepair.com/DIYhelp/DI Yhorizrefmoves.htm

God bless,

Dave Harnish
Dave's Repair Service
New Albany, PA
www.DavesRepair.com
d @sosbbs.com
570-363-2404

Free home appliance tips from a 32-year pro repair
technician! Get your monthly email newsletter here:
(Back issues now posted too!) www.DavesRepair.com

Acts 4:12

    I thought it was more than just oil, I thought it was the coolant. In a
liquid state the coolant lays on the bottom, and the fridge/freezer is
designed for the liquid at the bottom. The compressor might not be able to
handle liquid where it does not belong. However I can't say I know much
about it. 24 hours seems wise, regardless.

Dave

If you HAVE to lay it down, make sure it sits upright for at least 24 hours
before you plug it back in.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply, I did as you said and
transported it with the suction line on the high side.  It is now upright in
the garage waiting to be cleaned and I'll turn it on tomorrow.

BTW I tried Amana's customer service who did little more than tell me what's
in the manual (which I'd already read and knew didn't address transport),
they were far more focused on getting my personal details for their database
than answering my question.

Peter

24 hours upright is fine, this is not a critical issue but manufactures
recommend it to cover their cheap backs.
Trouble is that much depends on the age of the freezer, if it is old then
the compressor may not be able to kick in again.

Steve