Here's a real head-scratcher. About a week ago I realized my side by side Admiral (Montgomery Ward, Model HMG53168) had a plugged up drip pan. No problem, I got the ice out of the pan and managed to flush out the tubing that runs to the drip pan. This made the refrig happy and it resumed cooling properly and in fact prob did some catch-up, running for long periods until it had normal temps again. It now cycles on and off and defrosts normally.

Well, after I did that I noticed that the copper tubing line that runs from the compressor unit was frosting up big time and dripping during defrost cycle. Now, this copper tubing is maybe 1/4 inch wide, and the frozen water made it as wide as a pickel! I gently removed the frost and frozen water from the copper tubing. Now the problem is this: the frost on the copper line drips during defrost, about 3 tablespoons of water. and of course it drips nowhere near a dip pan. There IS a small little valve on the copper line but I am hesitant to screw things up. The cooling is working and food is frozen and the beer is cold. But what's causing the copper line to drip so much water? thanks

Look at the copper line that is frosting up and see if there is a thin copper line running right along side of it. There are several things that would cause this to frost up, defrost problems, evaporator fan motor not working, or a seperated cap tube( thats the thin copper line). If the small "valve" you mentioned is an access to the sealed system,then you can add over charge to the list.How old is this refrigerator and have you had any service work done on it?
Rick

__________________
SERVICE TECHNICIAN: BEEHIVE APPLIANCE....... 1985-1988
SERVICE TECHNICIAN: HANSEN REFRIGERATION. 1988-1998
OWNER/SERV TECH: RICK'S APPLIANCE REPAIR...1998-2001
SERVICE MANAGER:Used Appliance store..... 2004-PRESENT
ONLINE SERV TECH: ApplianceBlog.com ApplianceJunk.com
LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE:..................... 1977-1979
CERTIFIED TYPE 1; TYPE 2.....REFRIGERATION SERVICE E.S.

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Thanks Rick.
Rick wrote: Look at the copper line that is frosting up and see if there is a thin copper line running right along side of it.
Clockwise: Yup, the thin line is right next to the tubing that frosts over. But the thin line does not appear to be leaking, the water all comes from the melted frost on the longer copper pipe.

Rick wrote: There are several things that would cause this to frost up, defrost problems, evaporator fan motor not working, or a seperated cap tube( thats the thin copper line).
Clockwise: The fan that blows the coils works OK, and during normal operation I can hear another fan inside the freezer. Are you saying there's a third fan too.

Rick wrote: If the small "valve" you mentioned is an access to the sealed system,then you can add over charge to the list.
Clockwise: Sounds like I should leave that valve alone eh.

Rick wrote: How old is this refrigerator and have you had any service work done on it?
Clockwise: We had some work done on it a year ago. Purchased in 2000. Rick, would you say by the symptom I'm describing I have a unit that's using too much energy in this malfunctioning state? Sounds like you are saying I better call in a professional and it'll pay for itself anyway.

I think you have a seperated cap tube. The thin line next to the larger copper line is soldered together at the factory. It works as a sort of heat exchange. If I am correct, the refrigerator is probly running most ,if not all the time. There are only two fans, the evaporator fan is the one in the freezer. And yes I think it is using more energy.
RICK

__________________
SERVICE TECHNICIAN: BEEHIVE APPLIANCE....... 1985-1988
SERVICE TECHNICIAN: HANSEN REFRIGERATION. 1988-1998
OWNER/SERV TECH: RICK'S APPLIANCE REPAIR...1998-2001
SERVICE MANAGER:Used Appliance store..... 2004-PRESENT
ONLINE SERV TECH: ApplianceBlog.com ApplianceJunk.com
LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE:..................... 1977-1979
CERTIFIED TYPE 1; TYPE 2.....REFRIGERATION SERVICE E.S.

Thanks Rick. Say, what is the function of the cap tube? what does it do. And, is it something the average person can fix?

I'm fine with bringing in a professional esp. if my own DIY job will just screw it up worse!

When refrigerant is compressed, it becomes very hot. it leaves the compressor,thru the condenser coils,where most of that heat is removed,then thru a filter,thru the cap tube,up to the evaporator,into an expansion chamber.When it expands it get cold and you see frost on the coils. As the line leaves the evaporator thru the back wall of the freezer it meets up with the cap tube. The heat from cap tube keeps the frost from traveling back down to the compressor. Are you with with me so far?

Good luck

__________________
SERVICE TECHNICIAN: BEEHIVE APPLIANCE....... 1985-1988
SERVICE TECHNICIAN: HANSEN REFRIGERATION. 1988-1998
OWNER/SERV TECH: RICK'S APPLIANCE REPAIR...1998-2001
SERVICE MANAGER:Used Appliance store..... 2004-PRESENT
ONLINE SERV TECH: ApplianceBlog.com ApplianceJunk.com
LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE:..................... 1977-1979
CERTIFIED TYPE 1; TYPE 2.....REFRIGERATION SERVICE E.S.

Rick wrote: When refrigerant is compressed, it becomes very hot. it leaves the compressor,thru the condenser coils,where most of that heat is removed,then thru a filter,thru the cap tube,up to the evaporator,into an expansion chamber.When it expands it get cold and you see frost on the coils. As the line leaves the evaporator thru the back wall of the freezer it meets up with the cap tube. The heat from cap tube keeps the frost from traveling back down to the compressor. Are you with with me so far?

Clockwise: I think so. . I've been seeing frost along most of that line, and even right near the compressor, so you must be right, the cap tube isn't doing its job. I get the feeling this isn't a job for an amateur. Thanks for your fine help, Rick.

Try this, get some small wire ties, the plastic ones. Press the cap tube back against the suction line (you should be able to tell where it separated) the use the wire tie to hold it in place and just go along the line putting on ties about every 6 or 8 inches. i have had this fix work for years and years.

Thanks. I meant to get back on this board sooner since the problem persists. I will try your suggestion. Meanwhile, a serviceman came out and basically charged up the compressor and we're supposed to watch it for awhile. He thinks there's a leak somewhere,, but none of that addresses the problem of the freeze-up/frost trying to go all the way back to the compressor. He's gonna come back out in a week or two. The thing about the tube cap is, is it supposed to be RIGHT ALONGSIDE the tube that's frosted over? Maybe it's something simple after all. Meanwhile I dump out about five tablesspoons of water each morning, this comes off the outside of the frosted line each cycle. Thanks everyone

Yes the manufacturers generally stick these two together in order to prevent the problem you are having and to increase the sub cooling in the liquid refrigerant flowing through the small tube. (The cap Tube). Most appliance part houses will stock a paste that is a heat sink just for these but the wire ties will do just as well. just be sure to use the plastic ties so they wont vibrate and rub a hole through the tubing.