FIXED Kenmore upright freezer 253.28262805 will not get colder than 28 degrees.

[testdepth]

Model Number

253.28262805

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

6-10 years

MFD date 12/12 Kenmore upright freezer. This problem just started a few days ago. The upper interior fan is blowing air but the inside temp of the freezer will not get colder than 28 degrees. Compressor appears to be functioning. No ice build up inside. The temp setting is on max cold. The gasket is brand new. What would cause this?

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

Compressor appears to be functioning. No ice build up inside.

Do you have a picture of the front pattern?

jeff sr.

 

[testdepth]

I assume you mean the ice pattern on the coils inside? I have not torn into this yet and was hoping it was something simple before I tear it apart. Thank you for responding so quickly.

 

[jeff1]

I assume you mean the ice pattern on the coils inside?

Yes correct. That will be the only spot for a frost pattern.

I have not torn into this yet and was hoping it was something simple before I tear it apart.

No tearing apart, just removing the false back wall inside to expose the evaporator/cooing coils. This is how we split up the possible trouble makers.

jeff sr.

 

[testdepth]

The freezer to this point has kept a steady temp of 18 degrees F. I just got the time to take the food out and remove the inside cover. The attached pic shows a solid ice block across the bottom under the coils. Its about 3 inches high and 2 inches solid from left to right. I have a hair dryer blowing to melt it right now. The fan located behind the cover and above the coils functions correctly.

 

[jeff1]

Looks like the defrost drain is clogged and the defrost water was not running away. This ice will build up high enough to choke off the air flow.
Try and 24 hour defrosting with the door open and flush out the drain under all of that ice.

jeff sr.

 

[testdepth]

Completely defrosted it and the drain was also frozen closed. It now appears to be working better as the current temp is 8 degrees and going down. Thanks for the help.

 

[jeff1]

Glad to see you are getting somewhere with it

jeff sr.

 

[testdepth]

May have spoken to soon. After defrosting it and letting it get cold again the thermometer read under zero. I placed the food back in it yesterday and it all froze. This morning the thermometer reads 50 degrees so I don't know?
The internal fan is running and top and bottom vents appear open. Externally the sides and top are warm to touch and the door front is cool.

I previously bought a 3 and 1 Supco start capacitor combo to wire in to repair it.

 

[jeff1]

If it just warmed up during a defrost cycle - should be back cold again 30-60 minutes after it came back on.
If it warmed up because the compressor quit - the compressor could be damaging the start relays.
If it warmed up because the compressor quit - the 3-1 relay could have damaged the compressor.

jeff sr.

 

[testdepth]

The Walmart thermometer may be bad as it was reading 50. I just placed a different type mechanical thermometer in there and its at 0. Anything over freezing and the food should thaw out but nothing is. Crossing fingers its a bad Wally World thermometer.

I have not hooked up the 3 and 1 relay yet.

My freezer is 10yrs old and an R134a compressor. If Freon is low it will be simple to add but I don't know how to check for low Freon.

 

[testdepth]

So far it appears it was a faulty Walmart thermometer. The new mechanical one is still reading 0 degrees.

 

[jeff1]

I just placed a different type mechanical thermometer in there and its at 0 - how to check for low Freon

You just did. Can't get to 0ºF with low refrigerant gas.
Viewing the frost pattern on the evaporator is another great test.

So far it appears it was a faulty Walmart thermometer. The new mechanical one is still reading 0 degrees.

Glad that was all it was!

jeff sr.

 

[testdepth]

Thank you very much for all your help!

 

[jeff1]

Your welcome

jeff sr.