Freon (refrigerant) in a refrigerator or freezer doesn't wear out or get used up. It never needs refilling unless there's a leak in the sealed system. The leak must be repaired as part of the service.

Right. There is a such thing as a slow Freon leak, I had one of these for a couple years until I finally sprang for a new sealed unit. But with that the refrigerator doesn’t suddenly stop working, it starts running more and more to maintain temp and eventually stops maintaining temp.

What does “spoke to someone on Craigslist” mean? Hopefully you mean they came and looked at it? Did they determine where the leak was and what it would cost to address? Don’t let anyone just pump Freon into the fridge if it simply “stopped working the other day” and if you do, know that it’s a cost you’re gonna incur over and over and over again.

Thank you! Based on YouTube videos, this appears to be a relatively easy ~ $50 job. Do you see any big risk in DIY'ing the diagnosis and freon refill (if that is indeed the issue)?

Thanks again.

Sealed system repair on a refrigerator is not much a DIY thing except perhaps by someone who has experience with it in other industries such as HVAC. Who is the DIYer? You? Have you confirmed what type of refrigerant is involved (there are several)? Where would you get it? Majority of the U.S. requires training/education and a license at some jurisdiction level (state, county, city) for refrigeration work. That isn't only for HVAC. Refrigerators, freezers, commercial coolers/freezers in stores, ice makers ... it's all the same kind of refrigeration as central air conditioning/heat pumps.

What are the symptoms that leads the "Craigslist Guy" to diagnose a refrigerant leak from afar? That's not something that can be properly determined without hands-on examination.

The OP doesn't seem to get the fact that there is a problem with the fridge that caused the refrigerant to leak out. If it's refilled without fixing the underlying issue, it's just going to leak again and no longer work after a few days.

I absolutely would not hire some Joe Schmo from Craigslist to fix my appliances. Hire a reputable, licensed company.

I had this done with a SZ fridge three times before I found someone who would actually replace the evaporator and solve the problem once and for all. The freon refill was about $120. Replacing the evaporator was $650. This is in a small city/rural area so likely cheaper than the big city.

Post the YT video you're referencing. It is possible to rent a vacuum pump and gauges from an AutoZone or Oreilly's for free. You'd need the correct adapter to hook up to your system. When you vacuum down your system and close the valve on the gauges after turning off the pump, you'll see if your system can hold a vacuum. If it stays at minus 25 for half an hour, you can recharge the system. If the gauge moves back to zero you have a leak. It'll be useless to add freon. If it takes R134, get it at Walmart. If it takes a freon version you can't get, do the vacuum test anyway. This gives a good bargaining position to get a fair refill price from someone else.