Kenmore refrigerator slow death

[Bowmanew2002]

We have an 8 year old Kenmore refrigerator model 596.50394001. The Ice maker stopped working 2 months ago. The freezer stopped freezing shortly after and now the refrigerator side has finally stopped cooling. Fan in back still runs, lights still on, water still dispenses and compressor still warms up. No clicking or attempts by the unit to start any type of cooling cycle. Only noise is the back fan. Coils are pretty dirty from years of lint build up. Tech on the phone thought a slow coolant leak was problem due to slow death situation. No visible signs of oil or coolant leak from back compartment. Thoughts before I buy a new one?

[RegUS_PatOff]

The IceMaker won't make ice until the Freezer is cold enough ...

Does the Compressor run "forever" ?

If you could check the frost pattern on the Evaporator Coils in the Freezer (behind the shroud)

[Bowmanew2002]

The compressor seems to run "forever."

Not sure where the coils are under the shroud. I've opened the back up and don't see coils. Are you talking about going in through the freezer compartment itself? Once I find them, what pattern am I looking for?

[RegUS_PatOff]

[QUOTE=Bowmanew2002]... Are you talking about going in through the freezer compartment itself? Once I find them, what pattern am I looking for?[/QUOTE]yes, evenly frosted (unless just defrosted)

NOT heavily clogged, no air-flow (defrost problem)

NOT "just a ball of ice in one corner" (sealed system leak $$$)

[Bowmanew2002]

Cleaned coils and tried fridge again. Compressor took about an hour to feel hot to the touch. Compressor fan and evaporator fan seem to be working fine. Fridge still does not cool at all. Is this a characteristic of a coolant leak? Each time I do something and plug it in again it seems to take longer and longer for the Compressor to warm up.

No use checking the coils through the freezer - I can't get any cold air in this thing right now.

[RegUS_PatOff]

it doesn't matter if/when the Compressor "warms up"

The indicator would be the frost pattern on the Evaporator Coil

[Bowmanew2002]

I will check the frost pattern if there is one.

Update: I left the unit on last night for 2 hours. Fans and compressor all seemed to operate. The refrigerator never started to get cold. Compressor got so hot after 2 hours that it tripped the relay and shut down the entire unit - compressor fan, compressor and evaporator fan. What would cause this to happen?

Appreciate your replies as I am learning about refrigeration theory as we go along. It's my understanding that the heat in the coolant dissipates in the coils under the fridge before it turns back into vapor and procedes to the freezer coils. My coils were extremely dirty for years and probably insulated this process. Can this shorten the life of or cause a leak in the coolant if it doesn't cool enough in the coils before moving through the system?

[RegUS_PatOff]

Wouldn't cause a leak, but depending on how dirty/clogged there were, could shorten the life (and internal workings) of the Compressor.

[Bowmanew2002]

Update: The coils inside the freezer are showing no signs of frost, the fan above the coils is working and the compressor overheats and triggers the overload shut down. Where do I go from here?

[RegUS_PatOff]

[QUOTE=Bowmanew2002]... Where do I go from here?[/QUOTE]Home Depot :)

To fix the leak (somewhere) & possibly the Compressor (depends on how long it runs before cutting out) could cost $300 to $500 or more ...

[Bowmanew2002]

I am a CPA by trade but fancy myself as a "do it yourselfer." I'm also always looking to save a buck. Thank you for the speedy responses as you guided my journey into the inner workings of a malfunctioning refrigerator.