Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:
Preventing further harm after a puncture
Just a curiosity question. I had two technicians giving me their estimates on repairing a punctured system. Both men asked me about water getting into the system. The first guy just assumed the worst and the second guy hoped for the best. My question is ... what does water do when it enters the system, and how can it be avoided? Once the freezer compartment is punctured and the gas has escaped, what should be done?
Water in a hermetic system that uses a capillary tube as a pressure regulator, as on all domestic systems, is very negative indeed. These systems can barely manage even one drop in the system. What happens is the water will turn into an ice plug that stops circulation of the refrigerant after about 10 minutes of operation. This happens where the capillary tube inserts into the evaporator.
As far as your question on what to do if a puncture occurs.....
Make sure there is no chance of water getting in the hole once the pressure is fully released. And never, never ever, turn a system on with a hole in it.
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