Frost line not normal

I have a 7 or 8 year old side by side Frigidaire that just isn't cool
enough in both compartments. I purchased your book and CD to try and correct
this problem. I have spent the last two evenings on your web sight to
determine that my frost line is not correct. The frost only goes past the
first 180 degree bend on the evaporator. The trouble shooting chart refers
me to calling a service repair company. This is all good but I am still left
wondering what would cause my frost line to abruptly stop like that after
the first turn of the evaporator tube? Could you explain this without
actually seeing the unit?


Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I'll make this point more clearly
on the next edition.

In some very rare cases this can mean a problem with the compressor, but in
most situations it indicates a refrigerant leak. Considering the age of your
unit I would more than likely guess it would be the latter. We find in most
cases with newer refrigerators when a leak does happen it happens at the
copper to aluminum interface right at the evaporator.

Check your model number tag, it will indicate whether you have Freon R12 or
134a. If its an R12 system you may be able to find the presence of oil at
the very spot where the leak is. This will make the repair much easier for
anyone you call.

Also check your warrantee. Some Frigidaire units had a 10 year warrantee on
the sealed system.

So sorry this is so serious for you, most of the time it's not. But knowing
what it is can make an enormous difference when you call someone in for the
repair. If it's not on warrantee be sure to read the tips of finding a good
technician in Section One.