LG Refrigerator LMXS30776S not cooling properly

[tdatta]

Model Number

LMXS30776S

Brand

LG

Age

6-10 years

I have an LG LMXS30776S that I think is from 2015.

Symptoms:
Freezer at -12 to -16c (10f to 3.2f) even though setting is lower.

Fridge at 10c (50f) or higher!!!

Had a tech come by and replace the compressor/dryer two days ago, he also says he replaced the board. Parts were covered under warranty but I had to pay for labor.

Problem is still there.

Evaporator fans run. I used a magnet to trick the door sensor. Very cold air below -18c (-1f) coming from duct to ice maker near left door. Air from vents at top of fridge is about 9c (48f) at coldest.

I tried to look at the fridge evaporator but wasn't able to get the cover off. Took a picture with my phone of the top of the evaporator. No frost.

What's going on?

 

[Jake]

Ok, that tech. will need to come back and check the 3-way valve, apparently its not working properly, that supplies refrigerant to BOTH evaporator coils.

Look here:

FIXED - LFX31925 LG Refrigerator three way valve installation

Hi, can anyone confirm the white markings on the LG AJU74892401 Three way valve connects to the refrigerator capillary tube.

www.applianceblog.com

Your model uses that exact same 3-way valve.

Jake

 

[tdatta]

Hmmm, thank you.

I will call the tech back.

I did some.more testing and I saw the vents in the fridge blowing air at 4C (39f), but not colder than that. But the fridge is not getting colder than 10c (50f)

Do you still think it's the valve?

How cold should the air be? I assume colder than freezing, otherwise there would be no frost pattern on a properly functioning evaporator.

I wonder if he messed up the valve when brazing the dryer.

 

[Jake]

Do you still think it's the valve?

Yes, if there is no frost pattern on the refrigerator evaporator coil. Normal is a thin layer of frost on it.

How cold should the air be?

Anywhere from 34-37 degrees.

Jake

 

[tdatta]

An update.

Tech came back. Said he found a kink in the compressor to condenser line. Also said that he found a leak at the kink. He fixed these items, but didnt replace the dryer.
The air coming out of the vents in the fridge is now about -2C (28f), but sometimes not as cold as that, I assume this has to do with where in the defrost cycle the evap is at.

He said that I should monitor for a few days. He said there may be some other leak or some other blockage in the closed system.

 

[Jake]

Whenever you do a sealed system repair you ALWAYS need to replace the filter drier too, no exceptions! So you may need to look into hiring another tech.

Jake

 

[tdatta]

He replaced the drier 3 days ago when he replaced the compressor.

Could you please explain why it needs to be replaced every time. I'm not disagreeing, just want to understand.

 

[Jake]

My bad, I missed you saying that above. We spell it drier in refrigeration terms, not dryer.

At any rate, he needs to come back to find out what the problem is.

Jake