GE refridgerator Model PFE28KSKJSS needs compressor

[soccerfreak]

My 6 year old fridge (1 year out of warranty) was making awful noises for a few weeks.  My adult son and I read some articles and poked around and believed it was the compressor.  The fridge has stopped cooling.  Because of the refrigerant involved if I change the compressor I called a GE tech, they came out and diagnosed it as the compressor.  That means I need a new compressor and refrigerant.  I'm handy and have worked many a mechanical issue.  My question is this, is there special tooling I need to remove the existing refrigerant (R134A according to tag on unit), tooling needed to recharge the system with refrigerant?  Also, can I as a DYI'er buy the R134A?  If so from where?  And what part number compressor would I need and where can I purchase?  Thanks for your help

[citizenX]

The short answer is no, this is most definitely NOT a do it yourself handyman repair. Not saying you are incapable of doing it, but there is a lot at play here. First, you need to hold an EPA certification for refrigerant sealed system service work, and have specialized and expensive EPA approved refrigerant recovery equipment to legally and properly do this kind of work. You need the proper sealed system service tools and other gear, recharging system, and most importantly, the experience to know how to do it properly without contaminating or compromising the sealed system which would quickly lead to another inevitable compressor failure. There are a lot of other problems you can run into as well such as the system will need to be flushed if it was a compressor burnout and could involve replacing other components as well. All that said, just the compressor alone is around $600 plus the cost of refrigerant. I admire the can do attitude but I'd highly advise against attempting this kind of repair yourself. 

[soccerfreak]

Thanks Brian.  I appreciate your response.  Both my son and I are mechanical engineers and were thinking along the lines which is why we didn't start the DYI project initially.  However once the estimate came in from the tech, I thought I'd put the question out there.  I appreciate your seasoned advice.  I'll either go with the pro tech or get a new fridge.  Thanks again.