[r.miller999]

I have a 35 year old Whirlpool refrigerator. The compressor is too hot to touch. My finger will burn if it is touching for a full second. However, the refrigerator and freezer are fine temperature-wise and the fan is running. The compressor is obviously running (I feel vibrations before it got too hot to touch.) I've had it on for the last hour and it has not cycled off but I've also had it completely off for 4 days because I'm afraid of a fire. The vinyl floor under the compressor has been discolored (I assume due to the heat). I have also cleaned the coils under the unit. What can the problem be? How do you fix it? Is there some other place I should try to clean? Is it time for a new one?

[woodchuckie]

If the condenser fan is running, make sure the evaporator fan in the freezer is running and make sure the evaporator coils behind the back cover in the freezer are not ice up.
The vibrations coming from the compressor could be the cause of the heat. It may be more or less coming apart.