1989 vintage GE frig; constant running, fresh food 50deg_freezer 30deg

Brandon, I really don't have professional training but I do have manifold gauges for 134A and I use them on automobile A/C systems.

I study and follow some You Tube techs that I have come to trust as experts in auto repair.

I am grateful for your knowledge and your reply to my question.

I am new to this site so I am still learning the protocol of posting and/or answering so bare with me.

Thanks for what you are doing

@jofixitjoe if not properly trained/certified then it is not recommended to mess with refrigerant. R134a is one anyone can mess with because it is in vehicles and good luck getting people to NOT use it when they sell it to anyone... R12 is pretty much gone at this point. Very rarely run into it.

Since this is a residential fridge it is doubtful there's ports on it for checking pressures. Unfortunately there's a number of things that could be going on with it. Low charge, Weak compressor, clogged metering device (cap tube most likely, though could be orifice. Txv is doubtful with how old it is). I've ruled out dirty condenser because there's always excessive heat when that's the problem. But really without putting gauges on it its hard to say what the issue is. And automotive gauges don't work on refrigeration. Different connections.

I know that the fittings are different and I can't get any R-12 anyway. I wasn't trying to do it once you suggested a pressure test I figured it is above my pay grade.

All the other criteria seems to be ok without DVM testing of components.

I was just looking for a diagnostic answer from someone who really knows the systems, like your self.

I thank you for your input and if I stumble on something that fixes it I will let you know.

Actually I am right now placing a hot pot of chili in the freezer section for a quick cool down and I thought that might defrost the evaporator at the same time. I think I will turn the defrost timer to on also.

@jofixitjoe can you open it up and look at the evap coil? I'm pretty sure it isn't frozen because you'd have frost on the suction line at the compressor. But might be worth looking at just so you can say you checked everything you could.

yes i have had that open since i started and in fact i uploaded a picture of it but i guess i did that wrong because i thought you would have seen that already. i uploaded it the other day and i will try again now.