Hi again. I recently posted looking for input after being unhappy with the locally suggested fix on my ~5 year old True GDM-43 cooler that uses R290. I have taken all of the comments to heart and have pivoted away from seeking out a professional repair.
However, I am wondering if you think it would be possible/advisable to do a Hail Mary DIY attempt to prolong its life a bit. I consider myself quite handy and able to figure most things out, though I have no experience in refrigeration. I just hate the thought of junking the cooler. It looks brand new.
Pertinent info:
Cooler is an R290 system. Nothing digital. Used in a residential location (I am a high volume baker). Almost one year ago the cooler was not holding a constant temp and was often freezing items. I could reach up behind the evaporator coils and feel everything completely frozen over. After trying to do a little bit of troubleshooting myself, I finally found a commercial repair company that would come out. Over 20 calls to other companies resulted in me being told that their insurance does not allow them to work in a residential setting.
Company came out, diagnosed the problem as a faulty thermostat, indicated that they saw no evidence of any leaks (keeping in mind that is a fully contained system, so they did not do any actual pressure readings or add any charge, etc.), and replaced the thermostat, to the tune of $1,000. This seemed to fix the problem, which is a bit confusing.
Fast forward to a month ago, we start having the exact same issue. We call the company back out. They came back with the exact same diagnosis. The OEM True part only had a 90 day (or some other limit that we are way past) warranty, so replacing it at our own expense is our only option. The new quote, for the same repair, $1,269.51. Knowing that I couldn't do this every year, and that I wasn't feeling good about the diagnosis, I came to you here.
The general consensus was that it was likely a low charge or cap restriction, and that I should not work with that company.
One other piece of possibly helpful information: I have been informed that since this is a unit that DOES NOT have a digital temperature control, the evap fan inside at the top of the cabinet should be running at ALL TIMES that the cooler is on. (You can let me know if I've misinterpreted that or not). I did notice that there were times that it was not running when we were having the temp control issues. But it wasn't an always on or always off situation. It would go on and off sporadically.
All this to say, do you think it is okay to try a Hail Mary DIY fix instead of just writing the whole thing off? I have only done MINOR research and would MUCH more before I went that route, but looking at a piercing valve, gauges (getting mixed information on whether gauges will even work properly on a R290 system) maybe an injectable fluorescent to try to determine 1. if there is a leak and 2. if it is small enough for a DIY repair. And then if I think it is low, the R290 to recharge.
I am thankful for any input or guidance - once again just hate the thought that this cooler that is in such great shape and that I really love having is a lost cause.
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