Did I kill my refrigerator?

[Jerry W Campbell]

I was trying to add a door catches to my 120 volt refrigerator. I drilled a small hole next to the rubber on the body next to where the freezer door closes when PSSSSssssssss. There went whatever kind of gas was inside the compressor. Is it possible to plug the hole and recharge the compressor or should I start looking for a new fridge? 
I hate that when that happens!
Jerry

[Dallas]

Jerry,

I would laugh and make fun of you.... but....

A few years back I installed a nice little 12K Btu window A/C and it worked really well. It only had one problem, it let water drain into the front before it reached the drain hole on the back.
My solution was to take my trusty Milwaukee drill and drill a couple of new drain holes. ZZZZzzzzZZZZZZzzzzz hmmmm, the first one went ok so I figured I'd put the second one on the opposite side in the same spot. ZZZZzzzzZZZZzzPPPPPPSSSSssssssssssssssss.

Boy I didn't wanna tell Cat about that one.

Live and learn.

Dallas

[bubbaqgal]

and now, every time he gets near our a/c I make sure he does not have a drill in his hand

[Tony LEE]

At the least, repair would require removal of enough casing to get enough access to braze the hole and the results would not be pretty.

Many fridges run the refrigerant line around the doors to prevent condensation instead of using electric elements. Some use the whole outside casing as the entire condenser.

[maria-n-skip]

Many years back I helped a friend braze a hole in his refrig.

We used a high silver content brazing rod. A lot of what I have seen
lately the aluminum is very thin. Work the rod more than the tube.

I have never had any luck brazing with aluminum sticks.

Best of luck to you.

Skip

[Jerry Liebler]

Jerry,
    While it is, no doubt, reparable you are probably better off getting a new and different one.  The repair, evacuation and recharge are very likely to cost several hundred $ and it may never work properly due to contamination.  Refrigerators often have a part of the condenser coil around the door to keep it warm and avoid frost.  To avoid future problems try glue.  I used 'Gorilla' glue to attach my latch and it has held up well.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

[Jerry W Campbell]

Just as I suspected. Off to look for another fridge.
Thanks
Jerry

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Jerry,

You have received good advice here...  

Procedure:  Can opener, to open up the wound.
                 Silver solder the hole if copper, alumaweld if aluminum
                 Install a service valve to evacuate and charge system
                 Evacuate system for 24 hours to dehydrate any moisture that may have entered from atmospheric pressure
                 Check to see if 28 inch vacuum has held
                 Scale in proper charge of refrigerant
                 Leak test
                 Patch the skin...lol
Good Luck
Nick-

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Jerry,

One thing is for sure....  You will never do that again!   I'll put money on it...

Nick-

[wrench]

LOL,LOL, I tough I was reading my self!!  Last year I order a cooling unit to replace the one in my dometic 3800 / 3 way(no more available) & I had  DINAUSORE board in it( never act after I put it in) everything was in but 2 screws to hold the frame at the bottom, at the first one Pssssssssssss & Psssssssssssss again, took the screw out, oupsssssssssss worse!!@#$%^&*()_)(*&^%$#@!@#$%^& Order a completed one.
    Will see how long it going to hold the 3800 was there for 19 years.
             good luck       wrench