Engels boat fridge. 1988 westerly.

[stu9000]

My fridge lacks cooling power and I would appreciate advice on whether it is worth trying to regas or replace parts. It's an Engels front opening original with the 1988 westerly.
Symptoms...
Compressor comes on and switches off at what seems to be appropriate intervals.
Some cooling is going on but not enough to make ice or even Frost the plate.
I'm not sure if it's got weaker or I'm just eyeballing it more.
We had cold beer last summer, but no ice.

I'm tempted to try and regas.
There are guides on YouTube.
I plan to remove fridge from boat and hunt for leaks using soapy water.
But if it is a leak it's probably too slow to easily detect.

Other ybw threads cite a problem internal to compressor... The paddles?
Not FIXABLE so, if it is the compressor, a new one required. I'm guessing it would not be too hard to swop out..?

How can I narrow this down a bit.
I don't want to buy kit needlessly, especially if I'm going to have to buy a new fridge

Thanks as always

S

 

[vyv_cox]

There is a page on my website that gives guidance on assessing problems with refrigerators.

 

[William_H]

My experience with Engel freezer the top loading type is that the compressor failed after some years and the cost of replacing the compressor and regassing approached that of a new freezer. Apparently the flap valves fail to seal. Fra better i think the type with Danfoss compressor. ol'will

 

[Concerto]

You can read FAQ on this web site or send them details of the problem for advice.
12/24 DC Refrigeration - Penguin Refrigeration

 

[Richard10002]

Pretty sure my fridge was an Engels, so new in 2001, failed in 2015, (IIRC).

Had it inspected. Compressor had failed. No success in a search for a replacement compressor.

Bit the bullet. Splashed out five hundred quid on a Waeco, and haven’t looked back.

 

[superheat6k]

This sounds like worn valves inside the compressor rather than a loss of gas. Whereas it could be replaced (if you can find a new compressor that is of similar style and capacity), fitting one is not so straightforward, and requires specialist kit. Being from ~1988 it wil almost certainly be on CFC R12, which was banned in 1997, and indeed it is a legal requirement that the de-gassing and re-gassing aspects should be done by an F Gas registered engineer. Even the drop in replacement gases for R12 are obcure now, although R134a would probably work with a suitable oil in a new compressor. But in view of the age it would likely be simpler to invest in a nice new shiny one.