Cutting open a failed LG refrigerator compressor

In this video, we cut apart a failed LG FC75LBNA refrigerator compressor from a fairly fancy 8-year-old LG french door fridge. These compressors in these fridges fail frequently... sometimes, they only last a couple of years. In this video, I show you the part that failed in this one.

[@JoesGarageProductionsLLC]

Really appreciate the 14,000 comments concerned for my safety :) Will definitely wear safety squints going forward.

[@DiHandley]

True. When you’re young you’re six foot tall and bulletproof!

[@DrFiero]

@@runsolomon - looks like metal to metal contact caused debris.

[@JackAgainski]

I was worried about your wine... 🤣

[@johnwright9372]

I know a former construction worker who was using an angle grinder to cut bolts. It was prepared and given to him by a stupid, careless fool in the site store. The disc was worn, the wrong size and there was no guard. The disc shattered and a piece shot into his leg which was amputated above the knee. Please take all precautions even if you think they may be excessive.

[@Ratlins9]

Just looking out for you Joe.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Thanks for making this teardown video. It is frustrating how poorly these newer appliances hold up' compared to how much money customers are charge for them. I routinely work on older refrigerators, such as GE Monitor Tops from the 1930's. Working on fridges from a large range of years, it's easy to see how the bean-counters infected the design decisions which went into building them. The first ones, such as the 1930's models were built to last "forever." By that I mean they didn't plan for any specific expected life span in operating hours. The built it to the best of their abilities. Many of these are still in operation 85 years later. They go until some outside force kills them. These compressors ran at a lower speed than most more modern ones. They had larger parts running slower to do the same work. They also had 6 cups of oil in them. The construction materials were typically copper, brass, and stainless. As time went on, in the 50's, new designs emerged. The compressors were mostly still low-speed, but contained less oil. The manufacturers had begun using aluminum parts (typically the evaporator) in the refrigerant circuit. These are now failing due to corroded aluminum parts which are very difficult if not impossible to repair. As time marched on, in the manufacturers transitioned from the low speed ~1800 RPM motors to ~3600 RPM two-pole motors. This allowed a compressor of half the size to do the same work. Consequently the stress on the reciprocating parts was increased. The number of flexings of the reed valves doubled, decreasing the fatigue life of the parts. These designs continue to be used today, and thankfully are a mature technology with good reliability. Then the bean counters struck again, and 3600 RPM was not enough. Enter the inverter compressor. Now, the motor can be run at speeds far above 3600 RPM by the electronic frequency converter. Again, the cyclical fatigue life was reduced - particularly for reed valves. Also, running the compressor slower to save energy use can allow for poor lubricant circulation. Your linear compressor is so "encheapened" that it is little more than a glorified speaker voice coil. The springs which support the piston are a source of failures due to high-cycle fatigue. As you saw in yours, the reed valves can fail (there may be a chip out of the reed on your piston) as can the cheaply made plastic parts in the compressor. The bean-counters love this design because it is cheap as dirt to produce and can be operated at very high speeds. Again, use a smaller compressor to do more work, at the expense of life expectancy. I realize your video is 4 years old now. Currently there is litigation over these compressors and their poor service life. I sincerely hope LG gets their rear handed to them on a silver platter for producing such Literal Garbage and costing consumers so much money and hassle over their poor design decision.

[@grandinosour]

I agree....When I saw this, the first thing that came to my mind was an oversized vibrator style air pump used for fish aquariums and the same common failure those pumps had....At least you can easily disassemble the air pumps to replace the worn parts.

[@livingwaterutube]

I wonder the efficiency rating of the old 1930's fridge vs today and over time? My old 1980's fridge performed well compared to a new one. Suspect they just design things to fail because the currency is failing and keeps economy rolling.

[@JLange642]

We had a 1927 GE monitor top that still ran when scrapped in 2018. The case finally was rusting out. Also had a 1936 GE that I left in my old shop when I sold it- still cooling like a champ. I'll take a reciprocal compressor with a solid state relay any day over the current crap they build. (Can you tell I was from an appliance service family- 61 year old firm that I ran the last 31 years.)

[@ssnerd583]

general motors has(HAD) some of the best engineers on the planet but the bean counters rendered their efforts in vein.....

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

@@ssnerd583 Sad but true.

[@ruben_balea]

Some technicians replace those LG crap-pressors with old school compressors, they just connect an external relay somewhere to the control board that when closed runs the compressor directly from the mains. A normal compressor uses more electricity but with the cost of a new fridge you can pay the extra electricity for decades and making a new fridge uses a lot of energy and resources so saving the old one is better for the environment.

[@pointzerotwo]

Great work here to uncover the failure as too thin a piece of metal which fatigued over cyclic time. LG was likely undergoing a large cost reduction effort, and being a part of these things driven by corporate greed, decisions are often made by people who have no expertise in anything. These people still owe us the $1700 we paid.

[@rgseven6557]

I really miss the good old days where fridges were built like tanks and even lasted for decades. Nowadays, manufacturers dont build their products as robust compared to the 80s. My LG fridge gave me so many issues that it left me feeling stressed. Even repairing it costs a bomb. I dont expect a fridge to last me for decades in this era but it should at least last for more than 5 years !

[@cardboardboxification]

back then every fridge was basically the same , now every manufacture has the wiled hair up their butt to re create the world and start over with design flaws

[@rae0521]

I DO expect that that when I pay good money the product lasts for decades. The last stove we bought cost $1,000 and within months the burner switches failed and then the main control board. They wanted half the price of the stove to replace the board. It's pure THEFT, as far as I am concerned and if I was a millionaire, I'd SUE.

[@brunog.8920]

When I was forced to buy a new fridge last year, I shopped around and the Samsung and LG were the most popular and affordable. But, after some research, I found out they were the least reliable. Instead, I bought the slightly more expensive Fisher and Paykel for superior reliability: could not be happier.

[@billkallas1762]

I've got a freezer in my basement, that I got from my parents when I moved into my house. It's 64 years old. They gave it to me in 1980. Still works like new. Manual defrost.

[@Chris.Davies]

My bench fridge in the shed is 75 years old, and running perfectly since 1949.

[@JackAgainski]

Same with me. A bullet-proof Kelvinator. I bought it 30 ears ago and it has a huge American made compressor. Cheap energy efficient Chinese compressors are the problem in everything.

[@houptee]

According to the lawsuit, the problem starts in the tubing of the evaporator, a part that works in conjunction with the linear compressor. The suit says that the tubing is “prone to corrosion and pitting” and that small holes can develop, which can cause leaks and allow air to enter. Because of this “air leakage,” the refrigerant that moves from the evaporator to the condenser generates excess pressure that puts stress on the compressor, according to the suit. The compressor can’t take this additional pressure, the suit says, and begins to fail. It is usually the discharge valve in the compressor that is the first to go, as it is the weakest component. But they left out the fact POE oil absorbs moisture and causes waxy gel and acids to form when a low side evaporator leak draws in moist air into the sealed system. So this contamination moves around and clogs the capillary tubes which are foamed inside the back wall of the box. The new compressors sometimes work and others fail due to the capillary tube clogs with the black sludge and waxy buildup from the POE oil and moisture chemical reaction. Older fridges used R12 and mineral based oil that could handle a bit of moisture much better but the R134a requires the POE oil which is hygroscopic oil.

[@JoesGarageProductionsLLC]

Sounds like the new compressor design doesn't address the root cause... Is the "corrosion and pitting" described in the suit similar to the formicary corrosion that plagues the HVAC industry, particularly in residential split systems with copper evap coils?

[@houptee]

@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC LG techs know that certain evaporator part numbers are the ones that are prone to the pinhole leaks and they always change the evaporator coil if evaporator part number ends in 1411 and 1802. It seems to be all the upper refrigerator coils that leak not the freezer coil. So models that do not have 2 coils are better LG models not as prone to this issue. Mainly the dual evaporator models that have the black 3 way valve next to the compressor.

[@anthonymartin2412]

not true if there a leak there less pressure. Main thing is no pump. or starting to fast the update on the board makes the compressor start slower, and the first sign is no ice. Now leaks may let moister in will the freon and freezer up in the cap tube making the unit go in pump down mode. the maker of the compressor is the problem. like samsung ice maker problem last 10 yrs top left ice room. lawsuit.

[@slaughterzealibib]

If there is a leak then it wouldn't increase pressure it would decrease pressure. It is the filter/dryer developing a restriction. LG does not pull a vacuum on the system when its is built they sweep charge it. That leaves moisture - which a filter/dryer adsorbs - leads to restriction - high head pressure - blown seals. Lesson here is always pull a vacuum to 500 microns before charging the system.

[@houptee]

@@slaughterzealibib Air gets in the system drawn in on the low side through the pinhole leaks in the evaporator because low side is running in a vacuum. Air in a refrigeration system is "non-condensible". So it makes the pressure increase and the compressor works harder to try to compress the air. Just like a shop air compressor. Then the compressor overheats and the valves get damaged.

[@MikeM-cz5ln]

Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this video. Reminds me of the time I repaired my father's car. I replaced a failed component. He insisted that I dismantle the failed part to find the root cause. So glad I listened to him! I discovered what failed and learned in the process. Maybe you had a father like I did.

[@qeesher]

“Safety first...”, but no safety goggles 🤣

[@NickShl]

And no safety cover on grinder too.

[@markcofer8162]

at least he will hear what runs him over.

[@mauriceharting5877]

safety glasses/ goggles are a must ... he could lose an eye. Those grinder blades can break when caught in the two metal parts and fly in whatever direction.

[@bl0wfish]

haha

[@danielforrest3871]

It is cool, he wears contact lenses...

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

Had NO idea this kind of tech being used. Spent about 10 years HVAC/R service/ maintenance/ install. I've worked on a 250hp shaft drive Dunham-Bush screw compressor, they are interesting. I actually repaired a failed compressor, used for recovery back when all that got started. Failed head gasket. Cut it open, fixed, and MIG welded the shell back together. I'm 75

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

The patent on the oscillating compressor has expired.

[@arjaysmithjr9083]

We got one of these chest freezers for free a decade ago. The overload was burned out. I replaced it but felt the compressor and you could fry an egg on it. I mounted a little silent computer fan in the side facing the compressor, and let it run continuously. The freezer is still working like a charm, almost a decade later.

[@ZackHeinkel2000]

11:33 she is looking at you, the valve, that's the killer in this compressors. Believe me. Former Sears Refrigerator tech, former LG Electronics field tech here. LG (LC) compressors are the WORST, I was replacing an average of at least 5 compressors a week. The best in everything else, but LG (LC) compressors are the worst due to the design of the valve. It goes attached to the end of the piston, it is like a check valve that it closes when pushes the piston to the high side and it opens when it goes back. It is extremely thin, so when the compressor works too hot, it tends to stay a little bit opened, that will equalize the system so it won't cool. Inexperienced techs think there is a restriction in the sealed system, they start replacing coils and capillary tubes, but is not the problem. I'm sure because I've done my own compressor autopsy (tired of LG tech support and managers denying the issue with compressors) and I found that. When you have an LG not cooling is that simple, compressor, or a very few cases, a leak on the evaporator of refrigerator section, mostly the top line close to the cap tube, extremely low leak sometimes hard to find even with dye, sometimes it only can be seen pressurizing the system with nitrogen and spreading with big blue leak detector. A tech still working with them told me they have a new compressor design that substitutes the LCs but I don't know the results. I left LG and the appliances business 3 years ago.

[@JoesGarageProductionsLLC]

Wow - thanks for the detailed info! It truly is a shame as these compressors are so common... What about that cracked seal-looking-thing I called out in the video at 12:45? What is that part and is that just a casualty of the failure you described?

[@ivybichon8582]

Thank you for your transparency

[@ZackHeinkel2000]

​@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC 11:35 That's the valve, at 12:45 it's maybe a filter.

[@JoesGarageProductionsLLC]

@@ZackHeinkel2000 thanks for the insight! I spoke to someone just yesterday whose LG compressor was junk after only 1 year. Makes me wonder if they really fixed the problem...

[@abeez85]

I'm working on these currently with the A&E side of Sears. Doing an average of 2 to 3 per day. What's sad is every system is less than five years old. The kicker is now I'm third partied thru Sears to only work on LG. Good ol' Virginia Beach for you (8175). 1706 replacement compressors aren't much better. Been to calls where the substitute that was "guaranteed" to fix the issue, has been replaced already. What does LG tell us to do..slap in a new one cause that'll fix it...That third lawsuit against LG hopefully does something..maybe recall everything. Loss of money and rep to their name but hey, build a major component correctly and competently the first time and you wouldn't be hated as a company.

[@JimmyJamesJ]

Using an angle grinder without safety glasses has to be one of the dumbest and most dangerous things anyone could ever do.

[@2Truth4Liberty]

I have done that for decades without incident except did get some debris on my pants sometimes. You do not put your face or other sensitive things in the "plane of rotation". With a guard on the grinder, things can only fly out of the "plane of ratation" in a limited arc.

[@dwightsornberger8916]

And using a cutting wheel with no guard. I've seen those things explode

[@2Truth4Liberty]

@@dwightsornberger8916 0:44 Yes! No guard is stupidity. You know he knows better. Safety glasses would offer no help for that.

[@grayrabbit2211]

Still not as bad as buying an LG fridge.

[@JimmyJamesJ]

@@grayrabbit2211 You can't buy a good fridge anymore. They stopped making those twenty years ago. Everything is engineered to fail now.

[@tcullen5895]

Videos like this are the reason I watch youtube. thanks for posting it

[@brunoshow124]

Yea, this is why when I wanted a new fridge, I found a GE from 1991. Simple rotary compressor and no electronics. No stupid ecm fan motors or control boards for the defrost either. I also have a Whirlpool fridge from 1996 as a second fridge, and it also works fine. I just clean the condenser coils and fans on both of them every few months, and thats it. Along with those refrigerators, my washer and dryer are Maytags from the 80s. The washer is a top loader. My stove is a 1989 GE with an analog clock, and my dishwasher is a 70's Hobart Kitchenaid. I even have my front porch light controlled by a late 60s or early 70s Intermatic wall timer. Things today are just made so poorly today, and nothing is designed to last anymore. Even cars are shit today. It's very sad.

[@Head2Tow]

That’s an $850 part if your compressor fails after the fifth year and the class action suit sign up has expired. I won’t be purchasing any LG appliances ever again, and I’ll tell everyone about it that I can when these things come up. I had a Kitchenaid fridge that failed a month ago that I purchased in 1992. Buy American, if possible.

[@ArkadyGetselis]

Unfortunately, I don't think any appliances are made in USA anymore

[@pointzerotwo]

@@ArkadyGetselis Yes, almost all of the refrigerators like LG, Samsung, and others sold in America are made in America. Same as automobiles.

[@Nomad397]

Bingo. LG major fail.

[@wasupfool5692]

Ours failed and LG don't sell compressors to repairmen anymore, they only supply them if under warranty, after that they won't even sell them

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

Who are you trying to kid, nothing is manufactured in the USA anymore. It’s rarely even assembled here. Only seven companies left making HVAC equipment! You can thank your greedy, corrupt suits in corporations and politics in the USA. 40 years of outsourcing to communist China and Mexico. Good job boys of no integrity. Yeah, you wanna close the borders to migrants, but it’s OK to bring tractor and trailer loads of junk goods, across-the-board.

[@theuglyfisherman5488]

My kenmore elite fridge that has this exact same LG compressor just broke down last weekend. Glad to see this video.

[@ccrx2640]

How old is your fridge

[@AndriasTravels]

Thank you, very informative. A perfect example of purposeful design obsolescence for early failure. Throw the refrigerator away and buy another refrigerator. Disgusting what this world has become.

[@gregculverwell]

And here we are 4 years after you made this video and the saga continues. What surprised me was how complex and expensive it looks. The rotary / reciprocating compressor is so simple and cheap to make by comparison. Any energy savings by going linear must be tiny. Why the hell did the do this?

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

A couple of years ago my LG linear compressor went out. Luckily it happened a week before the warranty expired. They sent out a technician and he had the compressor installed in an hour or so. He said it would be better than new. So far so good. If it croaks now it won’t be another LG until they get their act together

[@jimjones9949]

I’m glad they stood behind the warranty. They did not with mine. If you read the BBB complaints, they typically aren’t standing behind their warranties.

[@willcobb2401]

Internal valve failure is consistent. 3-5 a month for my service company. Motor/drive is rare, usually compressor running, no pressure. In other news, the bits of the seal are getting into the systems as well. Great video!

[@JoesGarageProductionsLLC]

Thanks very much! Has LG fixed this problem? I heard there are newer/redesigned service replacement compressors out there...

[@houptee]

@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC the new compressor is called the "universal compressor" and the software on main board has to be updated with a little jig tool. Not enough data yet to see if they last longer than 3 yrs since they came out about 2 yrs ago. But if too much debris got into the system or if the evaporator leaked and it sucked in air then the POE oil gels up and clogs the capillary tubes. If you catch it in time you might get lucky.

[@IFIXCASTLES]

My fridge stopped working, did search here on KZbin and found the problem. Easily remedied with some solder on the main mother board. Nice!

[@gwrace]

Thank you enjoyed the video. We had our 4 year old LG french door fridge/freezer repaired this week. LG service replaced the compressor and dryer and upgraded the software on the controller board all under warranty. Our unit was part of the class action lawsuit.

[@vjadriano]

whats you model #? lfx31945st?

[@sttraveler2593]

I got a 2 year old LG french door / bottom freezer that unexpectedly just lost all cooling. approximately $150 food ruined. Unplugged it for 3 hours and cleaned the coils in the back under the panel plugged it back in and it is back to normal. I bought a fridge / freezer temp sensor so I could monitor it better and found the temps of the fridge and freezer are all over the place, not consistent at all, ranging from -5 in the freezer to 25 degrees F. and the fridge from 34 to 41 it varies. I called LG and they set up a service call but still haven't heard anything from the service tech going on 4 days now. I did hear that the techs are tired of working on these pieces of junk and can take up to 2 weeks to get one to even respond to the work order. My old whirlpool lasted 15 years and when we remodeled our kitchen we went looking for a new fridge. Lowes and Home depot pretty much only carry LG so thought it would be OK plus they brag about a 10 year warranty on the compressor. I can tell you will be lucky to get 2 years out of that compressor, and mother board. So disappointed

[@dionabbott6058]

@@sttraveler2593 your thermostat would be the frist place I'd look

[@seymourwrasse3321]

when I started in HVAC in 1981, it wasn't a big deal to find a 30 year old fridge still working fine. My first vacuum pump was made out of a compressor from an early 50's fridge compressor

[@cnielsen3739]

Yea.. My Hotpoint/GE was here when I moved in, in 1995. Mfg 1990. Still going strong. Door seal at the bottom is a bit saggy, so I should do something about that...

[@NCF8710]

Same here. It was left behind by the previous owner in 1979. It is a 1947 Hotpoint and is running to this day. It is virtually silent in operation as it has no moving parts other than the compressor. The condenser is a large metal plate attached to the back of the cabinet. It does need a door gasket, though.@@cnielsen3739

[@solomongainey838]

Hair dryer will tighten that up.​@cnielsen3739

[@mako-g90]

I had worked for my best friend's Dad's Furniture and used appliance business from the time I was 14 years old. We reconditioned and sometimes rebuilt appliances, and had a salvage operation as well. We would replace compressors with good used when necessary. Back then compressors would often outlive the appliances that they were in. Some refrigerators that i worked on were from the late 1930's and 40's, with only a minor electrical issue. I worked in this industry from the early 1970's until the mid 80's

[@seymourwrasse3321]

@@mako-g90 when Ge changed their compressor, the new one would last as long as the warranty, the warehouse was changing out 3+ pallets a day, I let my Hotpoint dealership go. not enough profit and too much ill will from selling lemons

[@brucebaker7597]

Our LG stopped cooling the other day. It's past the warranty period. Wife wants a new fridge because this one has been troublesome with the ice maker. Hint: The fridge side was "too cold" and as far as I can figure, the water supply line was freezing before the water made it to the ice maker. Will be avoiding LG and anything with a linear compressor. Thanks for the great video!

[@Chris-vx5kp]

There's a number inside the fridge on a sticker. Call it, and someone will come fix it free of charge. At least get it working to make a few bucks selling it.

[@BadAssDude69]

​@@Chris-vx5kpWhat are you talking about? Sears?

[@Chris-vx5kp]

@@BadAssDude69 Sears is just as dead as the compressor. The number in fridge is to LG.

[@BadAssDude69]

@@Chris-vx5kp Don't they charge the labor?

[@Chris-vx5kp]

@@BadAssDude69 Nope. They didn't charge me a dime. However, be wary of calling a repair place that says they fix the fridge. Repair places will charge you and LG; I told on 2 repair places to F-off. Call the LG.

[@Chris.Davies]

DTF: Designed To Fail. For the last 12 years, my wife and I have paid over $600 a year for fridges. We have had to replace two of them. Meantime, the "Frigidaire" bench fridge my grandfather purchased new in 1949, for my grandmother, continues to run perfectly in 2024, just as it always has. Please note that we have replaced the door seal a few times, and that's easy with a standard stick-on seal strip. Costs about $20 to replace, every 20 years or so.

[@andrerousseau5730]

I hope it is understood by viewers that this highly informative tear-down DOES NOT constitute a blanket condemnation of linear refrigeration compressor technology, which is a positive technical advance. It does however constitute an enditement of the slack (or lack!) development engineering in the testing phase. The embarrassment of shooting yourself in the foot for the sake of a low-quality 20c component while wrecking your company's reputation in the process definitely qualifies for the doughnut award!

[@shidaliang2425]

Your video made me clear now. I worked on a LG fridge yesterday. The compressor ran but it wasn’t hot. I was confused. I think I knew why after watched your video. Thank you sir.

[@sethmeistergee]

I have that exact issue -- compressor not hot and fridge not cooling (stuck at 50-52 degrees). I called LG and they put in a ticket now I'm waiting to hear back from someone to schedule a repair! Fridge model is LMXS30776S

[@pointzerotwo]

@@sethmeistergee Ours failed a month ago after six years, and the class action lawsuit where LG awards every claimant $450 expired in 2021.

[@sethmeistergee]

@@pointzerotwo there was a different lawsuit where you can still get relief but only if the failure happens within 5 years of purchase.

[@TheFrenchPug]

My LG compressor was extremely hot. It was on but barely cooling. You could not touch it without burning your fingers.

[@TheFrenchPug]

​@@sethmeistergee Do you know where? Mine failed within 5 years just this week.

[@elaineteut9579]

This really makes me mad. We bought an $1800 refrigerator from Sears. Two years later, the compressor went out. In the meantime, our Sears store had closed. I had an old Harvest Gold Amana refrigerator and I wanted to update to a stainless steel one to match my stove. Needless to say, I had to buy another refrigerator. We gave the Amana one to friends as they wanted an extra refrigerator to keep beer, pop and extra things in. That refrigerator is still running and it has to be over 30 years old. New stuff is crap.

[@justinshaffer3419]

The broken part is a reed valve, similar to York A/C compressors used in the '70s/80's on vehicles. Basically it's a two stroke engine.

[@charlessmith833]

My daughters LG refrigerator failed three times and was awarded a refund or another brand. The compressor was changed out on the second failure but failed again in about a week. This is the price we pay for moving local manufacturing offshore. Quality out the window.

[@jdrs4214]

The engineers that produce this kind of poorly designed garbage, need to be held accountable. No one should ever have to pay about 3 grand for a refrigerator, only for it to fail in 2-3 years. Also, this country’s dependence on Chinese products is astonishing.

[@annaplojharova1400]

The broken seal kind of confirms my hypothesis: For start, this is a resonant vibrating machine, where the mass of the piston with the springs is in resonance with the frequency it is excited by the winding. Kind of the same as e.g. electric shavers use to work, although the shavers run on mains frequency directly, here the inverter is able to lock in to the exact resonance of the assembly so is able to make the thing very efficient (not that difficult with the electronic drive). The key difference between this resonant mechanism vs the classic "rotating motor plus a crank" is, the crank has an exact displacement range without any exact control required, with the resonant mechanism the displacement, so vibration amplitude, must be carefully controlled by something reducing the drive strength once the amplitude reaches the designed level. Now with a piston compressor to be efficient, you need to push it really to the head without any gap, so you need the displacement to be really accurate. Not that big deal with a crank, but the heck of complications with something that has its amplitude so temperamental. If the amplitude became too large, the piston just crashes to the head, so that is why they probably used the rubber bumpstop there. Most likely the electronic was supposed to drive the compressor so it just does not hit it, but that is rather delicate balance,quite easy to get upset. What happened most likely here is the upsets, leading to the piston actually hitting the rubber bump stop, happen in the real life way more often than LG R&D expected, tearing the rubber apart. To me it is very naive to assume those upsets to be rare (it could even be the fridge operating under not fully optimom conditions) and for practically any material to withstand those crashes so many times for the thing to last for any usable time. To me it looks like some management moron jumped on some "high school science class idea" and pushed it through dismissing all suggestions for it to be nonsense.

[@SSHitMan]

It's also likely that they had to go to this design to meet energy efficiency standards. The old style compressors are durable but use more energy.

[@annaplojharova1400]

@@SSHitMan I'm not sure the resonant thing is necessary for that. I would rather guess the (now classic) BLDC motor with normal crank would yield practically the same efficiency. The inefficiency of the "old school" is in the use of induction motor (losses to get the rotor field, vs a permanent magnet rotor BLDC), not in the crank mechanism. The resonant springs and the fact the whole thing has to vibrate causes losses too. I would even doubt they would be any lower than those in a crank mechanism (even when talking about a system with an extra balancing mass auxiliary crank, to fully compensate imbalances), mainly when the compressor piston can operate with much tighter margins with less dead space and less elastic elements within the cylinder (and still no risk of any crashing whatsoever). To me it more looks like an attempt to cut costs: The resonant vibrating system has fewer parts and may appear simpler to manufacture, so may have promised lower manufacturing costs. It may work well with things like shaver, which has barely 1000 hour runtime expectation yields more than 10 years of service, but in a fridge the same 1000hour compressor runtime gets spent within just barely few months. And that is, when these compressors appear to start failing...

[@billsimpson604]

EXACTLY, you can blame the government for all this waste. @@SSHitMan

[@patmcbride9853]

I had not thought of it before, but the "linear compressor" is what we called a cryo coldfinger when we put together infrared night sights for armored vehicles.

[@EngineerX]

Labor $575 + is what LG quoted for repairing the junk compressor in my 2018 refrigerator. The compressor is free. Debating whether to pay that so it lasts another 5 years or less. Someone mentioned installing a standard old-school rotary compressor with a relay. Wish I could find a Technician that could do that. Darn fridge still in great shape.

[@kchaney56]

Compressors built in the 50's are still running and can be repaired easy. My mothers fridge that I used as a kid(I am 68) is still running with no work needed and still running well, very cold. We had the technology, just go back to the old way of doing things. As we "progress" our appliances cost vastly more and last only 5 years instead of 30 years. It is a loose for the consumer and the planet. It is only a win for company profits.

[@claysmell]

we've had our LG fridge compressor replaced 3 times under PC Richards extended warranty. the repair guy says it's important to keep the back vents clear because heat seems to be what degrades that little part. it's a design flaw - weakest link type of thing as the rest of the mechanism looks pretty stout

[@isaurodominguez6055]

It's good to see people still using power cords for their power tools.I gedit rechargeable batteries are convenibut there's nothing power of electricity

[@kirkpennock2997]

Looks like the reed valve at 11:30 on the left is missing some metal so the port is open. I like the good old piston and crank design.

[@billsimpson604]

Yep, some of those lasted 30 years.

[@justinshaffer3419]

The reed valves are what York A/C compressors used in the '70s/80's on vehicles. Basically it's a two stroke engine.

[@nt178]

I wonder if it was so dirt the valve was always open so it couldn't generate compression

[@jameswilliams9655]

Not impressed with the lack of basic safety equipment. No Gloves, pants or eye protection

[@charlessmith833]

When you depend on rubber and plastic to make something work 50 years or more you are obviously dreaming.

[@moe1644]

Nice video. Just bought a LG refrigerator with compressor model no FLD165NBMA. There is 10 years warranty on the compressor. See you in 8 years.

[@JoesGarageProductionsLLC]

Lol - I've heard from a few sources that they've corrected the "issues". I don't know that for a fact, though. Good luck!

[@DanielGonzalezL]

@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC well I sure do hope so, just bought one today. I mean they must've solved the issues in order to avoid more lawsuits, right? Right????!!!!! 😖😖😖

[@mikemendoza233]

Don't be had by the so called 10 year warranty. Ours quit after 4 years and they are just giving us a check for 1500. Frig was 2200 and now a replacment comparable is 3000.

[@rreagan007]

The 10-year warranty on the compressor is usually just a parts warranty. You will have to pay the labor to replace the compressor, which is usually $300 to $500.

[@race_to_the_bottom7331]

$900 in Portland @@rreagan007

[@geraldfoon6283]

Thank you for the "LG compressor dissection". Yours was the only one I ever found showing why the compressor failed. My daughter's LG refrigerator with a linear compressor just stopped cooling a few days ago after 5 years. She got more trouble free years of use than most people with this type compressor and you got 8 years so I guess both of you were one of the "luck ones" for such a long life. HaHa "WARNING: Don't do this if you are not sure how to work around electrical circuit boards safely and at your own risk....." FYI: This is how I did a quick "trouble shoot procedure" to quickly and easily determine its was the compressor. There will not be any error codes showing on the front display board. Their fancy diagnostic telephone app or the call center over the phone diagnostic will not find any error codes either. Hope this save people money by not replacing circuit boards, parts, service calls etc. when it is the bad compressor. 1. Follow the power cord from the wall plug back to where the cord goes into the fridge. There should be a cover that can be removed with a few screws and the main circuit board will be exposed. ( My daughter's circuit board was on the very top of the fridge) You will also need to remove the bottom cover exposing the compressor and fan. 2. On the circuit board there is a "Test/reset" button. The link is to another KZbin video which shows the procedure very well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWHcZ2SJpsSBi5I You may have either a 3 or 4 test button press procedure as outlined in the video. When you press and all the fans stop and "22 22" shows on the front door display, that is "forced defrost" and all the fans and compressor are off and the just the "defrost circuit" activate. This is not the mode you want. Note: This may help those with a frozen up freezer coil melt the ice faster instead of unplugging and waiting hours/days, using hair dyers etc. if you have a "defrost system" problem and the coil is frozen up with ice. 3. The first test button press puts the entire fridge into maximum cooling mode only, which means it turns on all the circulation fans in the freezer and fridge section, the one by the compressor and runs the compressor at maximum. So if everything is working the fridge should get cold. The Service manual states the maximum amount of time it will remain in test mode is 2 hours, then it will automatically reset and return to normal. I put the fridge in to maximum cooling mode with a thermometer in the freezer section and checked the temp about 1-2 hours later and there was no temperature change. Hope this helps someone and saves money, time, and @#$%!@%%$#. Thanks

[@randyoehlert9571]

3rd push of button puts it in defrost mode and 33 33 should display on front display.

[@BB-cy5us]

My LG fridge model #LFX28968ST stopped generating cooling in both freezer and fresh storage compartment a wheel ago. We bought it in 2013, and after about 10 years it stopped working. I have been checking all videos on KZbin that related to LG products. And I think this video has a deep investigation on the “no cooling “ issue.

[@ronz101]

Famous last words "I'm not too sure what I'm looking at yet"..... wow

[@rogerwatkinson6633]

Loving the safety squints :D

[@RogueA.I.]

Skookum as frig!

[@goatrock123]

Like Humpty Dumpty, that thing is NEVER going back together again!

[@StephenMattison66]

I watched another YT video about an expensive modern refrigerator failure & the engineer determined that 100% of the reason was due to the manufacturers attempt to gain a higher EPA rating on the big yellow sticker, so they could sell more units to brainwashed & defrauded Public. He found that ultra-thin, water-like oil was used inside the compressor to squeeze just a bit higher EPA number caused the failure. He tore down & examined every single part of the compressor & found nothing wrong with the design or build, just that the oil was insanely thin. He lamented that this practice/scam is the worst for the environment because refrigerators cannot be "recycled" because of the incorporated foam, most just crushed in the landfill, Then the environment takes another hit by having to build an entire new garbage fridge that lasts only 5 years. Uncool!

[@1Rancor1]

Got 1 1/2 years out of my 4K dollar LG Refrigerator. After 3 compressors, they voided my warranty and sent me a check for $100 for being an unsatisfied customer. I think Samsung and LG were exploiting defective stock in Korea and started to sell those items in the US for massive profit. They know they will be sued, but they made their dollars on us and are going to pay pennies for lawsuit. I will never by another LG item after this. I purchased a Whirlpool, made in USA after this and I am very happy now.

[@xcmskim4]

Samsung does not use linear compressors. The Samsung has a conventional reciprocating design and is more reliable than LG

[@1Rancor1]

@@xcmskim4 Thanks for the update. After being totally abused by LG, I went with Whirlpool and I am Extremely happy. No issues for the past 3 years.

[@houptee]

Whirlpool is a US company but the compressors are Embraco made in Brazil and now owned by Chinese company. Almost all the other parts in Whirlpool are made in China like the boards and valves and sensors etc. Look at the decal in your fridge and it will say where it was made probably Mexico. Or possibly it was assembled in US with global components (mostly Chinese).

[@yeudoi66]

i cant cry for u if u stupid to buy keorean crap im a refrigeration tech i saw this coming i do wish u well buy usa know how

[@robertw1871]

Nothing is made in America, you’re totally kidding yourself there… we have let at that go overseas and they make the rules now… Korean. German and Japanese stuff is the best now, although Japan no longer makes much and German products are expensive, so Korean is about as good as it gets these days… Your analysis of what Korea is doing is about as dead wrong as it gets…

[@brendanschuierer4678]

I remember when I was a kid, a refrigerator was called an ice-box. No compressor, no motor, no electricity, no problems ever. Except when the ice man failed to deliver. lol.

[@kenb4911]

I too have a bad LG linear compressor. There is a class action lawsuit in Canada. Everyone sound the alarm for one in the US. LG as a company knows there is a problem with the linear compressor and could care less about their customers.

[@peted3637]

Meanwhile, my Nan's 50 year old Kelvinator still works like a charm. Go figure.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Exactly!!

[@zig_ziggy]

While it may be called a 'linear' compressor, it obviously oscillates an accelerating and decelerating piston. How is this better than the much simpler rotary compressor that mostly avoids accelerating and decelerating masses?

[@Nunyahbidniss]

Thank you. This has to be the problem. I’ve done everything but tear that compressor to pieces. I can sleep finally!!!

[@vals8062]

What usually fails is the piston becoming locked, it's called locked rotor. Lg compressors are known for this due heat build up when these units are put in a closed enclosure like a cabinet and no maintenance is performed yearly to clean coils they fail. I worked on these units when they first came out and now I'm retired.

[@metsrus]

i wonder if this is planned by the manufacturer to have the compressors go bad after a few years.

[@larrymansfield9393]

I would give anything to buy a fridge built with the quality of the 80’s. Don’t need the bells and whistles, just need my fridge to be cool and freezer, cold. That’s asking a lot these days.

[@1911loaded]

It rather simple the compressor has an inert design flaw. So no matter how or what you do it not when it's gonna fail, it's going to fail period. And you can keep replacing them till you blue in the face and it's not going to correct the issue. On the commercial and residential side of hvac we see LG compressor failures all day long. Why? They are just plain junk.

[@Rustyrailhead]

Amazing that these companies don't go back to the old compressors and stop having complaints.

[@JoesGarageProductionsLLC]

I know, right? I'd much rather have a trash-picked 10 yr old fridge than one of these!

[@erikkovacs3097]

Good job with the refrigerant recovery. No need to film it and no need to leave any of it out in view at all in the rest of the video.

[@tomlewitt]

The fault is actually seen at 11:41 . A little bit of the T section is missing from this unidirectional membrane valve. You can even see now the flow-hole below the missing chunk. Thus no compression is possible.

[@PowerScissor]

My 1990 Kenmore side-by-side is still going strong 34 years later. Zero replacement parts needed besides the light-bulbs every 10 years or so. I will be very sad when the time comes to replace it.

[@philipwei6698]

My Kenmore Elite refrigerator stopped colling after four years. a lot of food was ruined. The faulty LG linear compressor is issue root cause. A tech from Sears home Service said that Kenmore does not cover labor cost after the first year. Over $700 has requested for compressor replacement. I also have to wait for 12 days for part delivery and technician schedule.

[@stevelacker358]

LG once again answers the question nobody asked. “Let’s make a complicated design to replace something simple that’s been working perfectly for 40 years (hermetic scroll compressors) or over 100 years (hermetic reciprocating compressors).”

[@tmastersat]

that's why they are being sued. contact the class action to get your money back. i hope they use this video in court

[@zeexenon2240]

Bright sunshine prevented us seeing the bad part at all. Camera's iris closed just like yours when shining arc lamp into your own eye.

[@mikemcduff427]

You won't have your eyes long grinding without using safety glasses. The thin piece of metal on top of the piston is a reed valve. If the compressor was running before you took it apart, the valve assembly more than likely was at fault. The piston was moving back and forth but because the valve(s) were leaking, it couldn't pump anything.

[@KingArtexerxes]

I bought an LG washer and dryer almost 2 years ago because they were rated as #1 in consumer reports. I don’t know how they rate refrigerators since I wasn’t in the market for one. I have one that’s around 18 years old I paid about $300 for then at a scratch and dent store. Still works. It’s a Whorlpool.

[@IDAHOJAKE]

Diaphragm typically will have a hole in it. I’ve replaced around or over 600 LG compressors in 6 years

[@superdave2316]

Ear protection but no safety glasses? I guess you will be able to hear the bus coming even though you can't see it.....lol

[@stephengreen3566]

"Safety First!" Says this while using an angle grinder without safety glasses.

[@ushillbillies]

Thanks for this , I haven't had the opportunity to dissect one yet ..

[@genegleason]

LOL. No eye protection at all! Wow.

[@blargblarghonk]

I have a fridge from 1980 something an one from 2000. They both still work fine. A coworker of mine recently got one of these lgs within that last year as an old stock scratch and dent for 650. The compressor failed. He is now out 650 and bought an old used fridge because these piles of crap don't last. He didn't even bother with a compressor because it's 400 dollars for the same crap. He's happily using an old 1990s whirlpool which was 50 bucks.

[@RioSul50]

I wonder if the refrigerant is ammonia, a highly explosive gas? I still use my 1987 Japanese made microwave over that still has the original light bulb in it. It works GREAT with ZERO issues EVER! My USA made electric oven, a Maytag was purchased by me in 1998. I had one minor issue with it in 26 years and I use it daily. Still looks great too. The fridge we have was left by the previous owners and we have never had problems with NEVER! It is a whirlpool designed and assembled in the USA. My Maytag portable dishwasher is 20 years old this year. NEVER ONE problem. EVER! I use it about every other day. It cleans well and at about 1/3 the time the newer built in does AND CLEANS MUCH BETTER! The reason, newer dishwashers don't like to use sufficient water to clean dishes. Thanks federal government for improving efficiency to the point they DO NOT WORK!

[@ruben_balea]

I think ammonia in consumer products is now only limited to butane/propane "absorption" refrigerators. There are also some absorption refrigerators that use an electrical resistance as a heat source and operate on mains electricity, usually those small ones used on hotel rooms because that system is almost totally silent. Those intended for motorhomes can have both the butane/propane burner and the electric heater that can work with both DC from the battery and AC from the mains. Big industrial systems do use ammonia, at least some, and when they have a leak the whole town is evacuated!

[@richbooth8948]

Good job on the hearing protection, but where is the eye protection! You don't need it until you do. Then it's too late. Those cut off disks can shatter, never nibs the burning steel fragments. Thanks, though, for showing the problem with these compressors.

[@electricroo]

Good job. I've heard about those. I figured it was probably a type of flexible rubber part of some sort that failed

[@nm999999991]

I just came across your video. I didn’t finish watching it all the way yet as the obvious failure point is at the 11 minute 38 second mark. the top of the piston has a valve which is symmetrical in a good unit. The left valve on your piston is actually Broken and the chamber below it is visible. This causes the pump to not generate pressure as the valve has no way to ensure compression.

[@angrycatowner]

Joe, You are now an expert witness.

[@Giancarlo1991CCCCCCC]

I have an LG refrigerator, with a Chinese compressor motor, it has been working perfectly for 12 years (2012-2024)

[@ragingbull1267]

all those sparks now aimed at the fuel tanks...LMAO

[@cc9z]

i repair washers and the seal in the bottom of tub is the failure point in all new washers and the seal is about five dollars but the washer needs to be taken all apart to change

[@tonywiggins8073]

Seems they need to go back to the old way! I have a SxS with water & the slide out ice bin from like 1985. Runs like a champ never has been serviced and is now in my garage under harsh FL summer conditions. We used it for the kids and their friends for ice cream and the pop sickles! And no it’s not in the cellar-it’s in the garage 🤣🤣 Now it’s freezer side - for frozen food, frozen gal jugs of water and excess ice fm my indoor frig for coolers! And the fridge side for beer/wine/cokes and food left overs! 💪😎

[@briansav514]

60 days into compressor warranty repair. LG dragged their feet for 30 days giving authorization. Compressor arrives. Install. Then more error. Repair tech said needs new condenser. Now 3 weeks later and repair saying “stuck compressor”. Saying we need another compressor. What a joke. $900 in parts and labor. We feel like suckers.

[@jeffreylindley845]

My LG will be 9 years old this July. How much longer will it run?

[@jeffwombold9167]

It really pissed me off to have to ditch my LG refrigerator, which was an excellent appliance, until they offered me a ridiculous price and a worthless warranty for the compressor.

[@markchodroff250]

Have to say , it’s a lot of run taking apart things like this knowing you don’t have to repair that just throw it out 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ronbradshaw7404]

Bonus points for spraying carburetors and fuel tanks with grinder sparksss!

[@martehoudesheldt5885]

Thank the engineers and the bean counters for that. How cheap can we make it and it outlast the warranty. not will it last 20 years.

[@clientaaarei8367]

Grinding with no GLASSES????? Are you CRAZYYYY????

[@555technoboy]

That “flimsy” metal plate on the top of the piston is the inlet/suction valve. I recently cut one of these open as well to find that mine had a hole blown through it. I found the same burnt residue on the same parts as yours. I assume probably burnt oil from running constantly without pumping anything.

[@Kevin-qy4du]

As a man with nerve damage due to a hand grinder taking a little meat etc from my wrist, i sugest you wear gauntled gloves and have both hands on the tool.

[@lford3549]

My LG fridge compressor failed at 5 years, tech said that it is common for "The Seal" to fail. LG was and, from what I hear, is being sued again over compressor failure. "Faulty Seals"

[@martinarmstrong3233]

Hard to understand why a pro would not have the safety guard on the grinder AND no eye protection, unreal.

[@donhoe100]

My LG French Door Fridge with Bottom Freezer died probably 7 years after purchase. Everything went dead, even the fridge light? Opened up the cover on the back where the circuit board is and tested the 2 fuses. The larger fuse looked fine but when I tested it with a multi meter it had an open circuit? I replaced that fuse by de-soldering and re-soldering new fuse. It has worked like a charm ever since (approximately 10 years later). I guess the vibration caused the fuse to fail over time? I have heard if you have a service guy come in they will just throw away the old board and install a new $400 board? Check your fuses before you call the service guy?

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

LG is the brand of all-in-on W/D where the heat pump is only warranted for ONE year, GE version is FIVE years, and is designed to lift out as a module.

[@ToIsleOfView]

Thank you for sharing! The design of the linear piston is fine. The valve seal material is what is bad. You mistakenly called it the inverter scroll compressor. That is totally wrong. Scroll & rotary are nothing like this and many have a 10 year warranty. The inverter and permanent magnet motor is big energy saver. Consumers are demanding the lowest energy consumption with the lowest price for a given size. Let this be a lesson to consumers. Lower energy consumption comes at a very high price when inverters are used. All that complexity leads to low durability. We used to expect 20 years from a fridge and now it's 3-5. That $2000 low energy fridge is now $8000 for a 20 year life.

[@bgregg55]

from the LG class action lawsuit: According to the lawsuit, the problem starts in the tubing of the evaporator, a part that works in conjunction with the linear compressor. The suit says that the tubing is “prone to corrosion and pitting” and that small holes can develop, which can cause leaks and allow air to enter. Because of this “air leakage,” the refrigerant that moves from the evaporator to the condenser generates excess pressure that puts stress on the compressor, according to the suit. The compressor can’t take this additional pressure, the suit says, and begins to fail. It is usually the discharge valve in the compressor that is the first to go, as it is the weakest component.

[@renaldonormani6646]

Good to see what fails. Speaking of which…PLEASE wear safety eyewear!! Remember you said…”Safety First!” PLEASE protect your eyes when grinding/cutting etc!-)

[@noapologizes2018]

There was no reason to redesign a proven system, but like so many other industries, they just have to screw up what works. I will do my best not to buy a new Fridg. I have a G.E. bought in 2000.she has a few age related issues but the compressor has never failed.

[@hugegamer5988]

It’s often a $0.12 part causes a $X,XXX machine failure. Doesn’t even matter if it’s a ceramic capacitor or a seal, there are so many ways to fail and so many parts it’s not easy to make it bulletproof.