15yr old Electrolux side by side fridge in the garage.

Yesterday freezer was 57 and fridge was 60

Unplugged it, let it sit for several hours in case the coils were frozen

Yesterday afternoon I pulled it out and took an air hose to the coils and fan, which really weren't as dirty as I was expecting.


After 4 hours the fridge had only cooled to 55 and the freezer 51. Guessing the compressor is just barely working but essentially dead.

Figured I'd ask before I start the quest for a new one

Worth noting, it spent 3-4 days covered in moisture after we went from freezing temps to 60's and rain for 3-4 days. Tons of condensation all over it.

Same situation for our main fridge a few years ago. 3 days not getting cold enough. Went to HD to buy one and was about to sit down and set delivery date. Wife calls and said it's working great. No problems since.

This has happened once about 3-4yrs ago. Heat of the summer, so it just froze over. Let it thaw for several hours and no problems since until now.

Compressors are bad these days. I think when the compressors get over worked, they shut down to idle and the fridge gets hot. Then it kicks back on. I have always seen it as a sign that it is about to fail.

Update to the update

Fridge has been holding at 37 all day and the freezer at 6 all day. Guess I'll just keep an eye on it for now since I don't use the freezer for meat storage I don't have to worry about anything going bad.