Not every repair is straightforward—some feel like a race against the clock.
This project came from a busy restaurant in Charlotte, NC, where a Hoshizaki walk-in freezer suddenly stopped staying cold right in the middle of dinner rush. The owner noticed frost forming on the door and the internal temp creeping above freezing—never a good sign during peak hours. That’s when they gave us a call at Fix Commercial Appliance for a same-day emergency repair.
Hoshizaki Leak Fix & Performance Recovery
🧊 The Problem
Our field tech arrived within hours. The system was running non-stop, but it still couldn’t keep the temperature down.
Here’s what we found after a full inspection:
A slow leak in the suction line was causing low refrigerant pressure
Ice had built up on the evaporator coil, blocking airflow and heat transfer
The condenser fan motor was wearing out and only working off and on
The door gasket was worn out, letting in warm, humid air and creating more frost
If left alone, these issues would’ve likely killed the compressor and spoiled the entire inventory within a day.
⚙️ The Diagnostic Process
We ran a full system check using OEM-calibrated gauges and a digital data logger to monitor performance.
A nitrogen pressure test confirmed a refrigerant leak near the compressor housing. The system was also showing high head pressure—signs the condenser fan motor wasn’t keeping up.
Plus, the defrost cycle wasn’t working correctly, and the thermistor readings were off, which made the ice buildup even worse.
🔧 The Fix
Our team stuck to EPA-compliant procedures and handled everything in one visit. Here’s what we did:
Repaired the suction line leak using high-temp silver alloy brazing
Swapped in a new OEM condenser fan motor built for heavy-duty performance
Replaced the door gasket to seal out humid air
Fully evacuated the system and recharged it with R404A refrigerant
Cleaned and defrosted the evaporator coil and housing
Recalibrated the electronic temperature controls and fine-tuned the defrost cycles
Verified proper superheat and subcooling levels to make sure the system was balanced and efficient
After testing, the freezer held steady at -8°F—even under a full load.
✅ The Result
Service wrapped up the same day, with our interrupting operations. No product was lost. No downtime.
By the end of the day, the freezer was back to running quietly and smoothly.
Here’s what the restaurant manager had to say:
“We were preparing for total loss. Your team not only fixed the problem but explained every step. We won’t trust anyone else with our refrigeration again.”
💡 Why This Project Stands Out
This job shows how a handful of minor problems—a tiny leak, weak airflow, and a bad seal—can quickly snowball into a major system failure.
Instead of replacing parts blindly, we trace performance loss to its exact source —we diagnose the whole system—we caught every issue in one visit and helped the restaurant avoid another breakdown.
🔹 Equipment Details
Make: Hoshizaki
Model: HFW-1200 Walk-In Freezer
Refrigerant: R404A
Location: Charlotte, NC
Repair Time: Same-Day (Under 5 Hours)
Final Result: -8°F | 100% Operational
📞 Freezer Warming Up or Leaking?
If your walk-in freezer isn’t staying cold, is leaking refrigerant, or showing excess frost, don’t wait. Call Fix Commercial Appliance—trusted across Charlotte for precision refrigeration repair.
We work on all major brands: Hoshizaki, True, Turbo Air, Beverage-Air, Atosa, Delfield, and more—with 24/7 emergency service across North Carolina.
We’re not just fixing machines—we’re keeping your inventory safe and your kitchen running.
❄️ Walk-In Freezer Repair in Charlotte NC — Leak & Fan Motor Fix
