Refrigerator shuddering to a halt.
 

Does anyone have any suggestions for fixing a fridge that works fine but for a loud shuddering, almost a bang when the cooling fan stops? It is so loud that it is keeping my wife and I up at night. We would prefer not to call an over priced repair man to fix something that we may be able to repair ourselves.

sounds like imminent compressor failure to me. How old is the fridge? It might be cheaper to buy new than to pay to have this one fixed.

I agree with shakran, it's almost always makes sense to buy a new one as the cost to repair a compressor is very nearly the same as a new unit. Time for a new fridge. Wait for the Memorial Day sales if you can.

Reality check regarding the claim of overpriced repair people: Were I to replace the compressor in your unit, I would need the following: EPA certification to handle, buy, and use CFCs and HCFCs (refrigerant gases-commonly called Freon®), manifold set, recovery pump, recovery cylinder and filter assembly, nitrogen tank with regulator, vacuum pump, torch and associated materials for silver soldering/brazing. My outlay to own this equipment is in excess of $1K.

Add to this the cost of additional refrigerant, in case your unit has leaked-30# cans of juice exceed $10/#. I haven't even bought the replacement compressor, yet!

Before you claim that a trained, properly equipped professional is overpriced, take a moment to consider their cost of doing business. There's much more there than meets the eye.

Nevertheless, there is always some crooked guy out there that wants to stick it to you...But as to BenChuy' s post...if its something he can fix himself, paying any amount could be considered "costly"..

In my old apartment the fridge behaved similarly to yours, then slowly stopped cooling and finally died...fortunately it was pretty cold and we kept the beer outside...

also most new refrigerators run more efficently now, it will end up being cheaper to buy a new in the long run. (depending on the age of your old one.) A guy I know replaced on 20 yr old fridge with a new Freezer and a new Fridge. It actually costs him less in electricity now with the 2 units than it did with the old one.

what brand is it?
my dad is refer tech for sears for almost 30 years now if its the compressor and you dont want to replace..its like 700 bucks.

Ease up there bud. No one's saying you're overpriced, and we know that you incur a lot of expenses when you fix a compressor. However, if I can pay you to fix the compressor in my ratty old avocado green fridge that may or may not last a few years longer after you repair it, or I can pay Sears roughly the same amount for a brand new one with ice maker and water dispenser, which one do you think I'm gonna go for?

Fridges are becoming somewhat like CD players. Once they break, it often does not make economic sense to repair them.

always go with the extended contracts

If the noise occurrs at the shutdown of the "condensor fan" its probable caused by the compressor (a broken suspension spring inside). Sice the compressor is a non-repairable item replacement of the compressor is the solution. My advice is keep using the unit until it totally quits and then evaluate repair verus replacement on a cost-effective basis. Almost all units (refrigerators) come with a "sealed system" warranty of 5 - 10 years. Expect a $300 - $400 repair bill.

whats the price on r-12 these days about a grand for a tank?

Depends... In Mexico, Russia, etc. or the civilized nations who have agreed to stop CFC production?? Regardless there's some decent HCFCs and HFCs out there that will do the job ($3 - $10 a pound).

R-12 hasn't been produced by any nation signatory to the Montreal Protocol for several years. If you can buy 12, it will run about $30 per pound. R-410B is a direct drop-in replacement requiring no system or compressor oil change, IIRC. A 30# can is better than $300, and you still need EPA certification to make the purchase.