WRT519SZDW02 Whirlpool Refrigerator Insufficient Cooling

[Hill1513]

Model Number

WRT519SZDW02

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

1-5 years

Hello all! I recently ran into trouble with my WRT519SZDW02 top freezer fridge not cooling sufficiently. The temperatures hover around 35 in the freezer and 50 in the fridge. I've seen as low as 19 in the freezer over the past 24 hours, but it bounces right back up.

It appears the compressor is running and the fan in the freezer is working. Doors are sealing properly and the temps don't change when I change the settings. What next steps should I take to get to the bottom of this?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Chris

 

[Jake]

Hi,

Remove the back panel inside the freezer and take a photo of your evaporator coil.

Here's the freezer evaporator fan motor for your model below, just click it then you will see a video of how to remove the back panel inside the freezer.

Here's the evaporator fan motor for your model:
Evaporator Fan Motor WP2315539


Jake

 

[Hill1513]

Thanks Jake. I'll start there. And get back to you.

You think this could cause that temp swing and lack of cooling? Here's hoping!

Chris

 

[Hill1513]

To update the above, there is a noticeable amount of air coming from the evaporator cover and ice is beginning to form on the back panel (right side).

 

[Jake]

Ok Chris, that's the reason why I want you to remove the back panel from inside the freezer and take a photo of the evaporator coil, so I can see the frost pattern of it and tell you what's wrong.

Jake

 

[Hill1513]

Jake,

Please see the attached images. Looks like a bunch of ice buildup on the right side only.

Chris

 

[Jake]

Ok Chris, good photos, you definitely have a sealed system problem.

The sealed system consists of the compressor, condenser, evaporator, heat exchanger, filter/drier and refrigerant. Common problems with a sealed system are bad compressors, refrigerant leaks, and system restrictions.

Check your owners manual warranty, some models have a 5 yr. warranty on the sealed system for parts and/or labor.

Jake

 

[Hill1513]

Yikes! Nothing I can do to remedy?

I will take a look though. I appreciate the help Jake.

 

[Jake]

Yikes! Nothing I can do to remedy?

Nope, sealed system work can only be done by licensed refrigeration techs.

Jake

 

[Hill1513]

UPDATE

Interestingly, the fridge is now at a proper temperature, and the freezer is flirting with single digits. I'm going to throw some food in there and see what happens over the next several days and/or weeks.

 

[Jake]

Ok sounds good.

Jake

 

[Hill1513]

Just out of curiosity, what is encased in the ice/frost?

 

[Jake]

The heat exchanger and the bi-metal/thermal fuse.

But when you have a defrost problem your evaporator coil would look like this:

Jake

 

[Hill1513]

Thanks Jake. Does the ice ball in my freezer indicate a leak there? Or is that simply were ice builds up due to a seal system issue regardless of if there is a leak or not?

 

[Jake]

Does the ice ball in my freezer indicate a leak there?

It can be: a bad compressor, refrigerant leaks, and system restrictions.

Jake