freezer problem

Looks like the Kenmore Elite frost free upright freezer in the garage is on the fritz again. Model #25326472101, serial #WB73842798. It's two years old.

Now the temp alarm is on and the freezer is flashing 24deg and climbing. The copper pipes in the back are clear, no dust or ice. The compressor is warm to the touch and running. The freezer is warm to the touch. The alarm went off and it's starting to warm up. Last time we had it fixed the repairman fixed the drier tube back in Feb 2009. Don't know what it's this time. It's seems to be failing when the weather is cold outside...hmmmmm more mysteries.

Do we have a lemon of a freezer? Would Sears replace this for free? Probably not since it's 2.5 years old.

Marek seems to think that we're overstuffing the freezer and it's working to hard to keep cold..I personally don't believe this, but I don't know why it's failing either :<(

Try to give it a go at seeing what could be wrong before I break down and call the repairman, if it's worth it.

Pull the plug on it and kept it off for 1 1/2 days. Powered it up again. Let it run for a day. Still not getting cold enough..only goes to about 32deg and the alarms goes off again. Took out the inside panel. The coils are not all frosted over, only the first row near the beginning is it frosted. Is there a leak? Is there not enough gas in it? This was a $500 freezer...not trivial to replace!

Here are pictures:

The freezer standing in the garage with nothing surrounding it.

The freezer running. Took inside panel off.


Checking the coils. Not frosted over all the way. The freezer indicating 32deg and alarm blinking. This has been running for about a day.

I believe that is a bad sign!!!