Had to choose between a full compressor swap or a leak repair on a 2018 fridge

Customer's fridge was out and the quote for a new compressor was almost $700. I found a tiny leak in the evaporator line behind the panel, which would be way cheaper to fix. I went with the repair, using a proper epoxy sealant and a vacuum test. It's been holding for three months now, but I still wonder if I just delayed the inevitable. Has anyone else had a similar call on an older unit where the cheaper fix actually lasted?

3 comments

3 Comments

smith.uma1mo ago

My old shop always pushed for the swap, but I've seen those epoxy patches last for years.

lewis.barbara1mo ago

Buddy's patch failed in six months.

benbrown13d ago

Yeah, those epoxy patches can hold up if the surface prep is perfect, but that's the hard part.