FIXED GE Refrigerator ZISS480 - Is it normal for a compressor to get quite hot when it has stopped compressing?

[PCGUY]

Model Number

ZISS480

Brand

GE

Age

More than 10 years

Built in side by side and it takes 24 hours (when turned off and warmed) to get down to the temp of 0F but otherwise seems ok. Have had some issues over the 15 year life of this GE unit but the issue of the compressor getting hot when not running (takes a while to cool down) has been the case for many years. Probably as a result of one young man who fixed it under warranty. Maybe that's what compressors do; IDK.

Have recently had to replace the evaporator pan heater because of freezer icicles/water. The unit is now working and at 3F currently but getting it to drop below 0F doesn't seem to be in the cards (been that way for some time).

I suspect that there is (has not been for a long time) enough refrigerant in the system. Computer geek here and am learning about fridges because the price to replace the unit is way over the top. Just trying to get this unit to function totally correctly...

Appreciate any feedback,
Nick

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

but the issue of the compressor getting hot when not running (takes a while to cool down) has been the case for many years.

The compressor draws or sucks cool refrigerant gas back into itself when it is running.....helping it run cooler.....shut off the compressor and it will likely get hot(er) a while before it cools down.

The unit is now working and at 3F currently but getting it to drop below 0F doesn't seem to be in the cards

Weak refrigeration system. Leaker, restriction, inefficient compressor or any combination of these.

JMO!

jeff sr.

 

[PCGUY]

Here's a follow-up...

Found that the fridge works better after the pan heater replacement. As part of that end result, I believe that the reinstall of the drain pipe (now sealed properly) has caused the vacuum that sucks the freezer door to shut more effectively which now allows the freezer to get colder. The pan heater was replaced under warranty years ago and I now believe I understand that it was not done entirely correctly - the seal on the drain pipe at the exterior of the freezer box must have been leaking all these years.

And no more icicles... :0)

 

[jeff1]

And no more icicles

Glad to hear that
Thankx for the update.

jeff sr.