V56 (decorator) cooling system...

[BryanH]

I went to see a guy about a V56 decorator.  It's probably not much good for anything but parts as it's missing the inside door.  

The compressor runs and the evap fan spins.  Condensor fan doesn't spin.  Machine doesn't cool at all.  Was wondering whether this alone could be the cause for no cooling?  (Doubt it but thought I'd ask).

Anyone know whether the bottle stack and shelves will fit a standard v56?

[Yarochrehc]

Bryan,

If the compressor is running there is a good chance that it will cool.  Most likely the unit is low on refrigerant, and if the shelf is about 19 1/8" long overall it will probably fit a V56.

[Creighton]

Rack and shelves will work fine in a 56.
Creighton

[BrianB]

If it's "low" on refrigerant it means that a leak has developed somewhere which needs to be addressed before anything. R-12 doesn't just evaporate internally in a hermetically sealed cooling system, it has to go somewhere!  install a solder-in t-schrader valve, pull a vacuum on the system, find the leak, fix it,and then refill with like refrigerant and then see if it works.

Oh yeah, make sure to replace the bad fan motor.

[BryanH]

That's what I was afraid of...  If replacing the condensor fan alone might fix the cooling then I'd take a shot. Otherwise I can't be bothered buying an incomplete system (with little chance of finding replacement parts) that has a questionable cooling system.

[aspbear1]

Bought an old cavalier that the condenser fan was not working and the machine would not cool.  Brought it home and replaced the fan it now holds at 35 degrees and I sold it to a friend that is very happy with it.  You just never know.