Summit FFBF181

[bugleg]

Have a Summit FFBF 181 that the freezer doesn't get cold enough. Repair tech thought I should replace compressor but that doesn't sound right--any thoughts on what might be going on

[16345Ed]

You don’t believe technician the physically saw your unit, but you come on line to believe technicians that haven’t seen your unit?

why don’t you trust your tech?

[bugleg]

Because the tech that visited didn't perform any diagnostic procedures, and compressor fails my civilian logic test since the fridge is fine. Rather than spend $600 to see if tech is right I want to get a second opinion--which is a pretty common use of internet forums. 

[J5*]

So tech looked at the fridge and said yeh nah mate needs a compressor ?

 

did he actually do anything ?

did he explain the reason why it needs a compressor ?

 

or is it a guess ?

 

none of us sitting back here can tell exactly what is going on without more information and testing 

[bugleg]

Seemed like guessing. Didn't remove the unit, said it was a super common failure on these units, and went on his way. I asked about testing but he wanted  $$ to pull it out to get access. 

Afterwards I was super dubious realizing Summit is a rather rare brand so the chances of him having seen this before was slim.

I guess I should just try another tech, but wanted to see if someone here was familiar with the troubleshooting routine for Summits so I could have some independent info.

 

[Rhubarb Tau]

That unit is a single compressor, single evaporator unit, so troubleshooting a no-cool or weak cooling is pretty universal. It's normal for fridge temps to remain good as long as the freezer doesn't warm beyond the fridge set-point.

If you want to confirm /refute the last tech's diagnosis, listen to the unit over a period of time, get to know the sound of the compressor. It's normal for the compressor to run 10-20 min. at a time, then off for 20-40 min. If your compressor seems to be running more than 50% of the time, the last tech could be right, could be a failing / inefficient compressor, could be a refrigerant leak, or a restriction. All expensive repairs. If the compressor isn't running when the unit should be cooling, your problem is elsewhere.

 

[16345Ed]

If you have an infrared temp gun shoot temperature of condenser coils (clean coils first). 

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