Why do you have to hull or move a refrigerator upright?

DO NOT SAY, "Because of the Freon" Thats what I need to know. Is this a myth. Why would Freon leak? IS there a hole someplace? Why would they sell an appliance with a hole in the freon tank? For 23 years I have watched people hull refrigerators upright and everyone says "You cant lay them down because of the freon" WTF? Can someone please tell me why?

Answers:
You can haul a refrigerator in any position you like as long as you let it sit upright for a couple of hours before plugging it in and using it.
The freon in a refrigerator is partly fluid and partly gas. When you move the fridge around the fluid can move to the gas side of the compressor. When that happens and you start the refrigerator the compressor can be damaged.

Other answers:
It used to be that the liquid coolant in older fridges would run up into the pump and possibly leak out. I think most modern fridges have closed pressure tanks, but don't take my word for it. I have seen fridges transported on their side that worked OK later, but I still won't do that.
It used to be that the liquid coolant in older fridges would run up into the pump and possibly leak out. I think most modern fridges have closed pressure tanks, but don't take my word for it. I have seen fridges transported on their side that worked OK later, but I still won't do that.
Not the freon thing....but perhaps it is said that the oils run into the motor and it will burn it up when plugged in. I really dunno but it's always been a MUST NOT DO law of appliances. LOL Serious tho, need to try it on an OLD one and see.
The oil in the compressor will possibly leak out or drain to the top of the compressor. If you transport with it laying down let it stand in upright position over night before plugging in.
It's not the freon specifically, it's the oil in the compressor that pumps the freon, and has to do w/ the bearing in the compressor. Freon is a gas in it's natural state. If you puncture a system containing freon it will revert and escape.
When we bought not only our fridge but our washer also the appliance man said when you lay them down all fluids get misplaced like oil and if you let them sit a couple hours before plugging in it prevents damage to the compressor and motor. We layed them down took em home stood them up waited 3 hours to be safe and no problem.
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