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29-09-2009, 10:53 PM #1
recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
Hi Everyone,
I'm experiencing something slightly strange and am trying to decide if I'm having a run of bad luck or if there is a systematic problem I'm having.
What's happening is this - I'm a landlord for student properties so the fridge freezers are off for 3-4 months over the summer whilst they are away. I come to switch them back on (they were working fine when switched off - and have been defrosted cleaned and left to air in the meantime - not shaken - not stirred)
...anyway switch them back on - and low coolant. (first couple of feet of pipe get cold - rest warm - compressor running all the time until it's thermal trip clicks it off for a bit)
... now if it was once I'd just think bad luck, but I've now had it happen 3 times on 3 different less than 5 year old appliances.....
so I'm thinking are the new coolants more prone to leaking than the old ones, or could there be another explanation ?
any comments or suggestions on a strategy to stop it happening welcome !
cheers.
Owen
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29-09-2009, 11:35 PM #2
Re: recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
How were they defrosted ?
Anyone chipping the ice off with sharp objects?Brian - Newton Abbot, Devon, UK
Retired March 2015
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29-09-2009, 11:41 PM #3
Re: recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
Are we talking R600a here ?
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30-09-2009, 09:50 AM #4
Re: recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
no they were defrosted with blunt implements ! - and if there was a punture wouldn't there be a complete coolant loss not a partial one ?
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30-09-2009, 09:52 AM #5
Re: recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
aha reaching the limit of my teeny expertise on the subject here - the most recent offender has a label on the back that said the coolant was either propane or isobutane (It's a couple of miles away from me so that's from memory)
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30-09-2009, 07:16 PM #6
Re: recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
Well isobutane/propane R600a has a far better chance of not leaking than R134a
The units are generally manufactured better due to the fact they contain a flammable coolant.
I think you are just unlucky.
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30-09-2009, 07:22 PM #7
Re: recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
what make are these fridges? If they are cheap chinese stuff then leaks are no suprise, they are often poorly constructed using poor quality materials - i've seen loads
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01-10-2009, 04:18 AM #8
Re: recurring coolant losses - are new hydrocarbon coolants more leak prone ?
bingo......
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