The compressor is a crucial and vital organ or component of a refrigerator. Without the compressor, the functioning of the fridge is totally impossible because the fridge basically relies on the compressor. Therefore, having a faulty compressor means you have a faulty refrigerator. In cases where the refrigerator stops working, the compressor should be checked first. If the fault appears to be in the compressor, you can quickly get it replaced to get your refrigerator working again.
However, before you do so, you should always check if the price of replacing the compressor is greater or less than getting a new fridge. If the compressor is expensive, it’s better to get a new fridge eventually. Nevertheless, if the compressor exchange is cheaper, here are a few steps to follow in order to replace it:
Step One: Locate and Extract the Old Compressor
The initial step involved in the replacement of a refrigerator compressor is first to locate where the compressor is installed and then remove it or take it out. To do so, follow the steps below:
- Unplug the refrigerator by pulling the cord out
- Clear out your fridge and out everything that is inside. Put all your refrigerated stuff in the freezer for a while or until the compressor has been replaced. This step may be essential because you don’t know how long it might take for the new compressor to be installed.
- The compressor is usually installed at the back of the fridge, so the next step will be to pull the fridge towards yourself, away from the wall.
- Once you have access to the back of the fridge, you will be able to see the back panel of it. The next step will be to unscrew this pane and place it away using a screwdriver.
- Now you can and will be able to see all fridge components. Locate the compressor. It is usually found at the bottom part of the fridge.
- Once you have it located, you should disconnect the power cable and remove the cover, exposing the electrical components of the fridge.
- The next step is to remove and detach the relay, capacitor, and overload protector.
- You should have a perforating valve to perform this next step. Attach this valve to the process tube located on the fridge and extract the refrigerant out of the fridge. Ensure this is done under proper ventilation, as the refrigerant can be harmful.
- Get nitrogen and inject it into the fridge through a manifold at a pressure of 50 PSI after releasing the refrigerant.
- Once the nitrogen is filled, remove the manifold valve.
- The next step would be to make the compressor tubes abrasive. Please do this by sanding the areas where they have been soldered.
- Once you’re done with that, discharge the suction tubes however leave about 20-30 mm of the tubes for their ends.
- Now is the time to remove the compressor carefully.
- After the compressor is out, using a soldering torch remove the filter out.
- In case the compressor motor is burned out, the tube will be needed to clean. To clean the system, first, weld a tube connector to the suction line and fill a cylinder with 500 ml of solvent. Attach the cylinder to the suction line and connect the end of the cylinder to the solvent cylinder. Place the tip of the capillary in a container to collect the used solvent, then inject the solvent through the system. Finally, give the system a nitrogen charge to remove any leftover solvent.
Step 2: Installation of a New Compressor
Once you’ve successfully managed to remove the old compressor, it’s now time to install the new compressor. To do so, follow the steps listed below:
- Begin the process of installing by first finding the right filter that is brand new. In order to attach the filter, you will need to solder an extra connection. But before welding you must make sure that you have the cap of the valve taken off.
- Once that is done, you can now weld the filter back onto the condenser outlet.
- The next step will be to position the new compressor in the right place.
- Once that’s done, connect all the tubes to the compressor and weld them intact
- Using a sniffer tool it is recommended to do a leak test in the tubes by passing nitrogen through them. If the sniffer tool is unavailable, use soapy water. If the bubbles are visible this means that there is a leak in the tubes. Once tested you can let the nitrogen out.
- With the help of a vacuum pump remove any leftover air from the compressor.
- Put back and attach the relay and the overload protector with the capacitor.
- The relay should then be attached to the relay’s compressor.
- Connect back all the other wires and electrical components to the fridge and place the cover back on.
- The final steps will involve filling up the fridge with the right volume and amount of refrigerant.
- Recheck all the wires one last time to ensure that the compressor installation is successful.
Step 3: Test the Working
In order to confirm that your refrigerator is now working properly, the last step will be to test it. In order to test the compressor, plug in the refrigerator, turning it back on to check if it works or not. If it still isn’t working you should consider having or calling a technician over to get your refrigerator fixed.
