Leakage of freon (gas, refrigerant) is one of the most typical breakdowns of refrigeration equipment. Next, we will consider what kind of breakdowns most often cause a leak, the most vulnerable places of the refrigerator and the procedure for detecting such a problem.
Where leaks occur most often
The most common leak points are:
- Factory rations or lockings. The cause of leakage in these places may be natural deformations or factory defects in the joints.
- Crying Evaporator Area. The material from which this part is usually made is aluminum. This metal easily rusts, so microcracks can occur under the influence of a humid environment in places of corrosion. Through these injuries, Freon slowly but surely disappears.
- Steel heating circuitlocated around the perimeter of the freezer. This circuit serves to evaporate moisture generated around the perimeter of the freezer compartment during temperature fluctuations. Permanent moisture leads to damage to the metal, which is why the circuit begins to let gas through. Such a problem is especially probable in Atlant, Indesit or Samsung refrigerators after 5 years of operation.
How to detect a leak: Symptoms
To understand whether a freon replacement is needed in the refrigerator, you will have to accurately diagnose the cause of the breakdown. Usually, this is possible for a specialist equipped with the necessary diagnostic tools. But a technician can give a number of “signals”, having noticed which, one can independently determine that a refrigerant leak has occurred in the system:
- Refrigerator cools too weakly and freezes. This is characteristic of a gas leak in the early stages. In general, the equipment is in operating mode, but the temperature in the chambers can be higher than the values set by the user. If the model has two compressors, then there will be problems with one of the compartments, with one - two cameras will not cool well at once.
- Long cycle of the motor-compressorpractically without pauses. This behavior is due to the fact that during a leak in the system, the pressure decreases, and the motor tries to compensate for the increased temperature in the chambers by prolonged operation.
- The cells are warm, the compressor is not working. Having worked on the remnants of freon, the equipment stops due to the complete evaporation of gas. If the engine no longer starts, the refrigerant has run out of fuel and recharging is required.
Important! How much does freon refueling cost? In workshops in Moscow and the region, the price of such work can be from 1000 to 3000 rubles. The cost of work can vary depending on the type of equipment, the number of compressors and the complexity of the breakdown.
- Alarm sound or indication. In almost every model of a modern refrigerator, an alarm is provided when the temperature rises in one of the chambers. On the case there is a red (less often - yellow) light bulb that can constantly light up or blink. In addition, blinking may be accompanied by sound. Electronic models can react to a leak silently, displaying an error code on the electronic display.
- External signs. If everything is okay with freezing and cooling, look at the inner walls of the chambers - perhaps a “coat” of snow or ice has grown on them in the area of the evaporator (in this case, leakage should be sought in the evaporator). Are there rusty smudges around the door? Most likely, the leak point is a “warm” circuit. When the wall of the casing is swollen, it is even easier to find the leak site - most likely, it is under the swollen area.
No matter where the leak is detected, it is impossible to repair it yourself. You will need special tools and professional equipment for replacement.In addition, as with any work with a “cold” circuit, you will need to replace the filter drier - you can’t do without soldering. Entrust the work to a professional to avoid problems after self-intervention.
When is freon recharge needed
Refrigerant charge is required at every depressurization. Usually this phenomenon is caused by such factors:
- Refrigerant leak due to the natural wear and tear of the equipment.
- Punching capillary from blockage. Typically, the capillary tube becomes clogged due to the penetration of moisture particles and organic compounds into the system. To eliminate blockage, the master punches the cork with a special press. The second, more efficient way is to replace the circuit. In any case, after eliminating the blockage, you will need to seal the system and re-fill the freon.
- Compressor replacement. When a decompression or engine breakdown due to a power surge occurs, it is replaced with a new one. This is followed by the necessary soldering and filling the refrigerant.
How refueling occurs
Despite the fact that the refrigerant charge is in the competence of the repairman, we will describe the procedure for you in order to orientate the complexity of the work. This will become for you a small cheat sheet in case you decide to save money and use the services of a private master - check the scheme described by us so as not to be deceived.
- Gas Leak Detection. The specialist conducts a visual inspection of the refrigerator in search of visible signs of leakage - smudges, rust, or swelling. Further diagnostics are carried out using a leak detector - this unit records the maximum content of freon vapor in the air.
- Leak repair. The specifics of the work is determined depending on the location of the problem. If the place is easily accessible, for example, it is the rust of the steel heating circuit, then it is simply cut off and looped. If the problem is in the foamed part of the case, the repairman informs you of the advisability of the work: a thermal insulation can be opened or the evaporator can be completely replaced.
- Mounting the filter drier. The old element is removed and replaced with a new one - this will protect the system from moisture. Dismantling the old filter is simple - it is cut off, the new one is soldered.
- Leak test. By injecting nitrogen into the system and monitoring the pressure gauge, the master determines how well the pressure in the system is maintained. If the test succeeds, the gas is vented and work continues.
- Evacuation. To eliminate excess air and moisture particles, it is necessary to ensure a complete vacuum of the system. For this, a pump connected to the Schröder valve is used - it pumps out air to the required level.
- Actually gas station. Being on the finish line, the repairman selects the refrigerant of the desired brand and refills the refrigerator also through the above Schröder valve. The required volume of freon is calculated based on the manufacturer's instructions. Refueling is controlled by the pressure gauge or by weighing the cylinder.
- Verification of the success of the work. Having finished refueling, the master makes sure that the system is fully operational and issues a warranty card.
Now you know everything about the leak - why and where it appears, how its location is determined and how repairs are carried out. We advise you to contact only trusted workshops so that all work is carried out in accordance with the standards, and your refrigerator has worked for many more years.