Kenmore 461.98475 fridge has ice on rear pipe

[Snazzed75]

What does this mean, and how do I fix it?  I will be unplugging, cleaning and defrosting this weekend, but I've never seen this before.

I don't know why the picture is inserting upside down...   but there you go.

[evaappliance]

A few things, i would check in this order,   It just needs defrosted very bad ,    Or there is a small tube attached to the big one with the ice on it , and runs up to the evaporator, if the tubes become separated over time this will happen, if you find this I can tell you how to fix it ,  and lastly, it could be overcharged, either from the factory or by someone adding to much Freon .  

[Snazzed75]

Thanks EvaAppliance.

I'll defrost it starting today and check back in after the weekend...  the freezer *is* really iced up.

Definitely not over-charged...  this thing is at least 10years old and we have never had it re-charged.

Thanks again!
     Snazzed

[evaappliance]

cool !  if it starts iceing   back up within a week or so , check for the 2nd thing I mentioned . good luck !

[Snazzed75]

Uh oh.  Icing up within a week or so?  It's been plugged in for a few hours and its already got a layer of frost forming!

Help!

[evaappliance]

further up that line it will have insulation on it, split that and you should see a bigger line with a very small line attached to it , if the lines have separated get a small bare length of copper wire and wrap it around both lines to hold them together the entire length of the insulation , then wrap and duct tap the insulation back around the lines.   if the lines are still together and doing that still , that's where things will get weird !    

[Snazzed75]

Update:  I've been keeping an eye on it for a few days...   it frosts up while the compressor is running.  When the fridge is cold enough the compressor stops and the frost melts and evaporates. 

Normal?  Or should I be looking for separation?

Thanks!

[evaappliance]

Doesn't sound like a huge deal , but i would look . That line ( when everything is exactly right ) should frost up when the compressor first comes on , but after about a minute or so of the compressor running it should thaw off and most of the time dry up . So i’m Thinking there’s a good chance they are separated