Kenmore Mini Fridge - Model: 183 93972 / 18393972

[TymerTopCat]

Kenmore: 
Model: 183 93972 / 18393972
Refrigerant: R134a (2.1oz)
Capacity: 3.9 Cu Ft.
Pressure: High = 250psi, Low = 103psi
Compressor: GVT44AD (R1134a)

Problem: 
I received this un-working mini fridge from a friend I have no history
on the fridge. The previous owner damaged the evaporator (Freezer), by
using a screw driver to remove ice and punctured the evaporator freon
all gone.

Simple repair I thought:
1. I repaired the aluminum evaporator leak using Aluminum brazing rod.
2. I pressure tested using nitrogen, it held for 2 days. Good to go.
3. I replaced the dryer by brazing a new one in.
4. Installed an inline tap and vacuumed the system down to 250 microns.
5. I charged the system with R134a Freon I purchased from Amazon in small can.

Fridge does not work, I tried charging 3 times, doing step 4 and 5 above.

I then made some basic test to test the compressor: It can produce 300psi,
and also can pull vacuum on low side. The compressor sounds okay and is running.

After running fridge for 3-10 minutes the evaporator never changes temperature.
Its just not working at all no temperature change.

The only thing I can think of is that the Freon I bought from amazon is for cars,
but maybe there is some other R134a for appliances?

Can you help ?

[Vance R]

On 6/4/2022 at 12:39 PM, TymerTopCat said:

The only thing I can think of is that the Freon I bought from amazon is for cars,
but maybe there is some other R134a for appliances?

All the same freon , auto use pag oil and appliances use poe. This only comes into consideration if the can is recharged with oil.  What are your operating pressures? My guess is you have a restriction.

[TymerTopCat]

I'm gonna fix this thing if it takes me 10 years to figure it out.

Before the 3rd recharge I removed the new dryer and confirmed the small little tube with tiny hole was not blocked or pushed in too far. I hooked up nitrogen to the system and confirmed a steady stream of nitrogen was coming out, seemed ok. But maybe it is slightly constricted. I only removed about 3/4 of an inch.

I then ran the compressor in the disconnected state, and confirmed it would create pressure up to about 300 psi, I then felt with my finger a nice amount of vacuum. I brazed the dryer again, vacuumed, and recharge.

The Evaporator, does not get cold at all, nothing room temperature. There seemed to be a little bit of heat building on the rear coils near the compressor only.

I'm gonna go crazy if I can't fix this simple fridge.

I used a precise scale to be certain I did not overcharge.

What should the pressures be, after charging it?

What am I missing?

Thanks.