How to clean cooling coils - Kenmore 64823 Top Freezer Refrigerator

Cooling gas is missing. Call some AC service in near to fill it, ask more of them for price. Do not switch it on until you solve this to prevent higher damage.

Hello, A refrigerator or freezer that is not cooling, but cooling poorly, may have a problem in one of several areas:
EVAPORATOR COILS or
CONDENSER
Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils or a condenser that is clogged with dust,lint,and dirt.
EVAPORATOR COILS:Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build up, is the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls,floor, or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gasket.
The refrigerator is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour period. if one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails, the refrigerator continues to try to cool.
Eventually, though, so much frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited.
Here's an inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is with the self-defrosting
system. Remove all of the perishable food from the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator to off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours (be sure to have several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually". When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the thermostat back to a normal setting. If the refrigerator then cools properly, it indicates a problem with one of three components in the self-defrosting system:

• The defrost timer
• The defrost thermostat(also called the bi-metal switch)
• The defrost heater

If it still does not cool properly, there may be a problem with the refrigerant level or the compressor.You may need to consult with a qualified appliance repair technician to further diagnose the problem.
CONDENSER: Self-defrosting refrigerators all have a set of coils and a cooling fan, usually under the refrigerator, that need to be cleaned regularly. If these coils get coated with dust, dirt, or lint, the refrigetator may not cool properly. The coils may appear to be thin, black, wide radiator-like device behind the lower kick-panel. To clean them, disconnect the refrigerator from the power source, use a refrigerator condenser brush and a vacuum cleaner to clean the coils of any lint,pet hair, etc. You may not be able to get to all of the condenser from the front , it may be necessary to clean the remainder of the condenser from the rear of the refrigerator.
Thanks

I use a spray nozzel on my water hose to clean out the oustide coil. You can go to a local Hvac parts store and get a cleaning gun and foam to clean the coil. I just use my water hose and sprayer with arm and hammer baking soda.

"If your dirty filter caused your problem,' it was because it restricted the air flow across the cooling coil. Often if the filter is clogged then the air will divert around the filter itself - and clog the cooling coil too, in which case you will need to clean the cooling coil.

The cooling coil is looped in a coil (hence the name) and is comparable to a car radiator. You will need to clean the fins (that are entwined around the coil) so that air - can flow unrestricted, over the coil.

This can usually be accomplished with a brush of some sort. Often you can use your fingers to peel the moist mat of hair and dirt off the front of the coil.

The problem (usually) is getting to the coil, because once you get to it - it generally is not that hard to clean. Your goal is make sure air flows thru the fins and over the coil - unrestricted of dirt, hair, or whatever.

Remember - many things can cause an AC unit to 'not cool' besides the filter being dirty - which is why I prefaced my answer with 'if your dirty filter caused your problem'

Good Luck!

Try cleaning the coils under the unit, if you have pets, fur and dust builds up on the coils and the unit will appear to run all the time but will not cool.
Cleaning of the coils should happen at least twice a year, its a common thing to over look by everyone.
Hope this is all it is.

If your sure on the psi your low on freon or your evaporator is restricted discharge psi would realy help.you will get best performance with a clean unit or pay expensive utility bill . Tom

Yes it is true . Sound like you are low on freon the unit is shutting off on the low pressure switch or high pressure switch is the outside unit clean ?you may need service. Tom

Hello there. Let me see if I can assist you.

A refrigerator or freezer that is cooling, but cooling poorly, may have a problem in one of several areas:

Evaporator coils
Condenser
Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils or a condenser that is clogged with dust, lint, and dirt.

Evaporator coils Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor, or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets.

The refrigerator is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour period. If one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails, the refrigerator continues to try to cool. Eventually, though, so much frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited.

Here's an inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is with the self-defrosting system. Remove all of the perishable food from the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator to Off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. (Be sure to have several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually." When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the thermostat back to a normal setting. If the refrigerator then cools properly, it indicates a problem with one of three components in the self-defrosting system:

• The defrost timer
  
  
• The defrost thermostat (also called the bi-metal switch)
  
  
• The defrost heater
  
  

If it still does not cool properly, there may be a problem with the refrigerant level or the compressor. You may need to consult with a qualified appliance repair technician to further diagnose the problem

Condenser Self-defrosting refrigerators all have a set of coils and a cooling fan, usually under the refrigerator, that need to be cleaned regularly. If these coils get coated with dust, dirt or lint, the refrigerator may not cool properly. The coils may appear to be a thin, black, wide radiator-like device behind the lower kick-panel. To clean them, disconnect the refrigerator from the power source, use a refrigerator condenser brush (see the Appliance Accessories section) and your vacuum cleaner to clean the coils of any lint, pet hair, etc. You may not be able to get to all of the condenser from the front, it may be necessary to clean the remainder of the condenser from the rear of the refrigerator.

Make sure that the filter is clean, the evaporator (indoor) coil is clean, and that the condenser coil on the outside is clean. After you have cleaned everything and it still doesn't cool, the unit is low on refrigerant.

is the compressor really hot? If so you are low on frion.