TIL that cheap compressor oil can kill your fridge compressor in under 6 months

I used some no-name mineral oil from a discount tool place on a 2019 Samsung fridge last spring. Cost me $4.50 a quart and I thought i was saving money. 8 weeks later the compressor seized up and I had to eat $280 for a replacement plus the R600a refrigerant. I talked to a guy at a parts house in Phoenix who said it was way too thin for fridge temps. Anyone else get burned by bargain refrigerant oil?

2 comments

2 Comments

emery_young131d agoTop Commenter

Man that sucks. I switched to POE oil after my first compressor died and it's been running smooth for 2 years now.

maryt622d ago

Bought some off-brand oil from a flea market for my old Kenmore and felt real smart until the compressor started knocking like a angry neighbor. Learned the hard way that saving a few bucks on refrigerant oil can cost you a whole fridge.