[Mark Hubley]

I thought this would be simple, but apparently not . . .

Anyone know someone who can do a sealed system repair on a Kenmore Pro built-in side-by-side refrigerator located in Dunkirk, MD?

Bought a house five years ago with a Kenmore side-by-side. It is large (84" x 48") and built into the surrounding cabinetry. I noticed Monday the freezer side is not cooling properly. Well, looks like it is not cooling at all. Refrigerator side is holding normal temperature. I first noticed this Monday, May 25.

The sticker inside the unit says it is an Electrolux model 410.40483800. That being said, it apparently is a Kenmore Pro.

I live in Dunkirk, Calvert County, MD. I called ABC Appliance in Edgewater, and they got someone here Wednesday morning. He spent a few minutes with it, called into his shop, and said he couldn't find it in his system and couldn't work on it.

Wednesday afternoon I called the number on the sticker inside the refrigerator and got Sears Home Services. Their technician looked at it for a few minutes and said he can't work on it. I did not understand his explanation. Perhaps he didn't want to work on it because it is built into the cabinetry.

Had yet another technician out today. He spent a few minutes looking at it and said it is a "dual cool unit" and suggested that the evaporator for the freezer side isn't working (I think). He said it likely needs work on the "sealed system," and he doesn't do that. He suggested I call Sears Home Services.

[HoodPin]

No guarantees, but HYSSONG APPLIANCE (301 662-3720) might be worth contacting. Its a small firm, but the tech/owner is very knowledgeable.

[Mark Hubley]

Good news and bad news:

Good news--Someone competent came out on Monday and dug right into it. He found it is low on refrigerant, added refrigerant, and fridge/freezer are at the proper temps.

Bad news--He found it is low on refrigerant but did not confirm where it is leaking. He did add dye with the refrigerant. He said he suspects one of the two evaporators, and said regardless, the proper fix will be expensive.

His recommendation is to see how long it lasts before the leak causes problems again. For about $300 a shot he can fill it up again, but the problem will likely get worse. He said he would not recommend spending the larger amount of money to actually fix this refrigerator.

That being said, replacing a built-in, 84 x 48 refrigerator will be lots of $$$. Seems like a cheap one will cost $10K. A higher quality unit, like Sub-Zero, is closer to $20K

Maybe won't be getting much track time for a while

[BlackTalon]

"Proper Fix" sounds less expensive than a replacement. Maybe price out replacement of compressors as well as evaporators. With all new mechanical systems, there would be much else to go wrong for the next decade.

On a Sub-Zero note, a few years back my sister had a Sub-Zero that kept experiencing mechanical issues. It was less than 10 years old. They spent a few thousand $ on multiple repairs. After a while they heard from enough repair technicians that Sub-Zeros frequently have issues. I realize this is just one data point, but be sure to do your due diligence if you decide to replace your built-in.