The stat is basically just a variable On/Off switch. Not something to be "opened". Refridgeration equipment sold in this country is rated to run in most normal circumstances without any problems. Only a prolonged heatwave or temperatures well below zero would have any major effect.
If it has only one stat and only one compressor ( large black pot at the back) and the freezer comp is working OK then your first assumption about the gas is almost certainly the correct one. If the stat is faulty, in 95% of the cases the fridge does not come on, or does not go off. This does not apply to 'frost free' units which are a completely different animal.
If it is running normally but only freezing the top compartment you may be able to get away with a regass, the coolant is pumped round the top before it goes into the lower fridge, any loss of gas or blockage due to chrystalisation in the coolant will have this effect. Also a failing compressor will also cause this. It really depends how old this appliance is. If it is nearer 10 than 5 years old it may be time for a replacement. A regass done correctly is not cheap and a compressor repair is out of the question, far to expensive. Also a regass can often only be a stop gap as the fault may well come back in a year or so.
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Originally Posted by fireman328
If its a fridge/freezer its possible that the appliance needs de-frosting as the freezer temp controls the chill compartment temp and the freezer gets iced up and stops the cold air getting to the chilled compartment.
I had to do this for a friend who was about to junk it but it worked perfectly after defrost.
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This would depend on the make/type of appliance. Some F/Freezers do depend on cold (heavier) air dropping down from the freezer compartment into the fridge compartment to keep it cool. On most of them the coolant is pumped round the freezer first, then into a plate at the back of the fridge compartment to which the control stat is fixed. On some models this plate is behind the inner liner so you cannot see it but may be able to see ice build up on the back wall of the fridge between auto defrost cycles.