Freeze up

I have a Rock-Ola CCC5 machine and the thing stop cooling. The evap coil does not get cool and the lead tube just freezes up. What do I check first?

I got the machine for nothing, but really don't want to put alot money into it.

Thanks

[Kevin C]

Hello

Check the two fan motors.

Kevin

Do you mean there are two evap motors, or do you mean the compressor motor and the evap motor? Because the evap fan does run and you can feel air flowing.

Thanks

I checked the evap motors and fans tonight and they are  working great. In the pic the small tube just frosts up. I assume this is the inlet tube to evap. Tha larger one for return. I guess I don't know what else to check.

[MoonDawg]

Quote (cdom5 @ Oct. 25 2005,8:15)

The evap coil does not get cool and the lead tube just freezes up.

Moisture in the freon turns to ice blocking flow. Evacuate the system, add a dryer and recharge.

[globalcompressors]

Hey Buddy,

  That old Rock-ola has either 2 or 3 fan motors in the evaporator assembly. Often, one of the fan motors will lock up or I have found part of the fan blade will weaken and break off. The fan motors are a square, open frame, set up. Moisture will get into the bearings and seize. Nice thing about them, is you can pull it apart, use emery cloth, oil, and put it back together. It's an easy job. If the machine has been running fine for a prolonged period, without problems, usually that will be the cause of the freeze up. Another thing to check is the thermostat. Make sure the unit is cycling off. Defrost the unit, turn it back on, use a thermometer and watch the temperature. See how far down it will go. If it reaches 38, 35 ,33, 28 and still won't shut off, the stat is bad. Past the 30 degree point or so, the unit will begin to freeze over. If you have a COMPLETE block of ice covering the WHOLE evaporator, only 2 things will cause the problem, either an evaporator fan motor or thermostat.

Now, if you are freezing at the point of the cap tube and the 1/4'' line in front, you very well may have a blockage, as stated above or there may be a leak that has developed. When the unit is running, the box is hot, there will be a small block of ice in front or in one corner of the evaporator and the cap tube itself will be frosted back. On a full charge, the cap tube will never have ice or frost on it at all. Usually on a Rock, there will be about an inch or two of sweat, down from the soldered joint, where the cap tube and the 1/4'' line are joined there in the front.

Hope this helps,

Eric '>

In the pic this is were the freeze up happens. If there is a block, what is stated above, can I do this myself or do I have to get a tech involved? If there is a leak, would l get a new evaporator then?


Craig

[globalcompressors]

If it's freezing, in only those two places, I think we're looking at either a blockage or a leak. Only enough freon is getting thru to create some frost. You need to pull the unit out, clean it up and have a look for an obvious oily area. I you can't find one, there may be a real possibility the leak is in the coil itself or blockage somewhere in the system. At that point, you  need to find a local serviceman who can have a look, make the repair, and get you back up and running. What you need to figure out, will the cost be worth it. '>

Eric