Our Sub-zero Model 561 side-by-side is not freezing properly. It only gets down to 14-16 degrees C regardless of setting (5 thru 10). Interestingly, it cycles once every day up to about 30 degrees then returns to the 14-16 level. The whole top row of the evaporator coils is lightly and evenly frosted, but the lower portion (about 75%) is clear (no frost). Compressor sounds healthy and condensor is clean and condensor fan runs well (and all the time as it should in this model). Does this sound like a sealed system issue or possibly a problem with the defrost system? The refrigerator half works just fine--no problems whatsoever. Appreciate any advice. We love this fridge and want it working well again.

Check your evaporator fan motor (should be activated when you press the switch on top - the left one)

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Evaporator fan sounds healthy and comes on whenever the compressor is running and the freezer door is closed. Could this be a thermostat issue? Very curious the way it cycles regularly like it were defrosting.

Hi,

Yes it does
Possible leaker, restriction, inefficient compressor...

jeff.

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OK, let me ask everyone's opinion on this...if I pay to have a sub-zero qualified technician come out to diagnose the problem, how long should it take him and how accurate should he be? Should I expect him to be able to pinpoint the problem?

OK, so I had the tech come out and he determined the refrigerant was low. Recommended a charge ($189) to see if that would hold, but said any leak was more than likely to be in the evaporator coil and he could replace that and charge the system for about $400. We went the more expensive route to solve the problem outright. Problem is now the freezer does nothing! Doesn't cool at all. Compressor seems to be running fine, evaporator fun turns on when its suppose to...etc. New evaporator doesn't cool at all. Anything really straightforward I should check? Yes, it's turned on...but absolutely nothing. Almost afraid to have this guy come back to check his work. Someone please help...

did it work- cooling/frosting evap, before he left? how long did it last? most likely has leak at connections and needs another charge. if was me i would do it(fix leak and recharge) free- but i don't do sealed systems anyway. call sub zero and ask them(so they tell you they'll take care of $)

It did aboslutely no cooling, but the compressor was running and after a few minutes of very mild "whining" it sounded normal too. Since it did not cool at all I suspect the refrigerant is not circulating and I have a blocked drier filter. Is this likely?

don't see how he should have been paid if wasn't cooling when he left. if he got paid and it didn't work and he's SubZ authorized, call subZ and complain to them. filter drier can be clogged but still can't believe he left it broke. call him back to fix it right and if he doesn't, post the company name on blog.