While cleaning my freezer - chipping away some ice - I punchered the cooling loop and the coolant gas leaked out. Is this dangerous, ie toxic and should i not use the appliance from now on?

Stuart, June 2008

well i just accidentally did that yesterday and the gas made me super dizzy.

called a guy and he told me to unplug the appliance and open a window.

now i just have to wait for the landlord to yell at me.

big mama, May 2009

Leakages in the external pipings of a freezer can easily be repaired by brazing (welding). The one you described seems to be in the foamed cabinet and hence, as bad as an internal leakage. This type of leakage can be repaired but a lot must have been compromised in the process, including the insulation. Its better you source for another freezer. However, as long as the gas has already escaped, you may not be in a serious danger anymore. Study how to dispose of an old freezer. Sorry.

Cassy, January 2009

Dont waste your time trying to have it repaired. Most engineers will tell you that it only takes a small amount of defrosted water to get into the punctured loop after all the refridgerant has escaped to cause terminal damage to the compressor and valves.
Apart from that very few engineers can repair the very thin alluminium tubes used in the cooling circuit
Sorry, but sooner or later everyone learns not to forcibly defrost a fridge with a sharp instrument--inc my wife!

Cledlyn, July 2008

stufs not good for u but u wrote msg so u aint dead which is more than can be said for ur freezer.repair is possible contact ur local air conditioning /freezer repair in yellow pages,might be cheaper to scrap it.

caine, June 2008