While clearing out frozen rubbish out of the base of the chest freezer I've slightly punctured the lining, can I still use the freezer?do I need to put body filler into it.

First your freezer does not use R-134a. That is for auto air conditioners only. It uses R-12. You need refrigeration compound gauges, R-12 refrigerant and a two devices that connects to and punctures the lines and gives you a port to connect the hoses from the refrigeration compound gauges. You must have a refrigeration leak if you need to add refrigerant. The leak needs to be repaired or you will lose the refrigerant in a short time again.

you cannot fix a punctured evaporator coil. The cost is not economical and the repair is unreliable. best consider another fridge.

Check the seal around the lid sits firmly on the rim, give it a good defrost before restocking. Make sure all else is working and clean, particularly any condenser grilles / fans.

Hi Evelyn,
Has the freezer been defrosted lately? Perhaps a buildup of ice will not let the refrigerator cool sufficiently. Try this and let me know how it works out for you. If it does not have a self defrosting cycle on it, it may take some time, just do not use a sharp object in the freezer as this could puncture the freon lines and that would render the unit useless.
Joe

Hi,

Sorry, but you punctures a refrigerant line and the system lost the freon...

To fix this the bottom would need to be cut out of the freezer and then the lines fixed and the system recharged...

Considering the cost of a new freezer... you will be better off to replace the freezer rather then doing that much work to it..

heatman101

Good day,
Your idea was a good one, and it should not be neglected. The area your going to tape should be warm and dry. Best long term repair, would be to cut a small piece of aluminum, and epoxy it in place. The machine will need to be warm long enough for the epoxy to set, however, it should be a permanent repair.

If this freezer is running all of the time and only freezing the walls at the top inside it is a good chance there is deteriation in the piping in the walls eg (rusty pipes) letting the refridgerant escape (common fault) with chest freezers.If it is more than 7 years old it would be advisable to replace it as the repair would probably cost 3 quarters of replacement price.Hope this helps. Kind Regards.

why not then when its down to zero shut the unit off and open the lid and free freezing...no electricity required....remember pop machines sit out in all types of weather

you have a refrigeration issue. let me guess. is the frost real thick around a small area not the entire lining? if so you have a restriction or leak. cheaper to replace by the way