Replace compressor

[Mike95]

Hello,
I live in Scottsdale, AZ and have a 3.5 ton York and a 4 ton York ac unit with a split AH. The compressor on my 3.5 ton unit died and I was considering replacing it but I was told a replacement compressor would only last a couple of years (2-4) before it would die since it was not the original. Is this true?
As far as what might have caused it to fail, the house is 11 years old and when the builder installed the system, they hooked up the 4 ton to the smaller AH in the attic (I think he said it was a 16" duct) and the 3.5 ton to the larger AH (18" duct?). So, the 3.5 ton has been trying to cool the south and west side of a one story house in Arizona while the larger unit was only cooling the east and north side (basically just the master bedroom and bathroom). I'm not sure if this caused it but it seems they made a big mistake installing the system.
I got a couple of quotes so far and to replace the compressor, single pole contactor and the quick disconnect and it's about a fourth of what a new American Standard unit would cost (obviously a much nicer unit 14SEER with variable speed furnace.) By replacing the compressor and I just throwing money at something that needs to be replaced anyway? Thank you for your advice.
In case it's needed, here's the model numbers

York HIDE48506B
York HIDE42506B

[markettech]

Hello,
I live in Scottsdale, AZ and have a 3.5 ton York and a 4 ton York ac unit with a split AH. The compressor on my 3.5 ton unit died and I was considering replacing it but I was told a replacement compressor would only last a couple of years (2-4) before it would die since it was not the original. Is this true?

There are a few compressors on the market which can be torn down, rebuilt, and sent back out for resale. First of all, the type of compressor which is able to be rebuilt is not typically used for residential applications. Second, if it is rebuilt by the OEM, it IS considered a new compressor and warrantied as such.

Most likely the compressor you have in operation at your residence is either a "hermetic" (permanently sealed/welded casing) or a Scroll (again, welded casing), and as such are not "rebuild-able".

So, this means the only replacement option you would have available would be a shiny new compressor. A compressor is a compressor is a compressor. It doesn't matter if it was shipped out with an air conditioning condenser wrapped around it or in a cardboard box..........it's still a compressor.

If the blanket statement was made that the compressor wouldn't last very long because it did not come with the unit is suspect at best.

However......

If the statement was made that due to equipment sizing and matching considerations the new compressor would be running outside of its operating envelope, then yes - it may be entirely possible the new compressor may only run a couple of years.

One thing to consider here.........It sounds like the original compressor made it 11 years. I'm not 100% certain about residential applications, but if memory serves - on commercial applications the average compressor lifespan is somewhere around 8 years. If this does indeed hold true for residential as well, I would think 11 years is a few years longer than average.;)



As far as what might have caused it to fail, the house is 11 years old and when the builder installed the system, they hooked up the 4 ton to the smaller AH in the attic (I think he said it was a 16" duct) and the 3.5 ton to the larger AH (18" duct?). So, the 3.5 ton has been trying to cool the south and west side of a one story house in Arizona while the larger unit was only cooling the east and north side (basically just the master bedroom and bathroom). I'm not sure if this caused it but it seems they made a big mistake installing the system.
I got a couple of quotes so far and to replace the compressor, single pole contactor and the quick disconnect and it's about a fourth of what a new American Standard unit would cost (obviously a much nicer unit 14SEER with variable speed furnace.) By replacing the compressor and I just throwing money at something that needs to be replaced anyway? Thank you for your advice.
In case it's needed, here's the model numbers

York HIDE48506B
York HIDE42506B

[beenthere]

No reason a replacement compressor should only last 2 to 4 years when the system is installed properly.
But, when its not, then its possible that it will fail that quick.

Get another estimate on installing a new system.
The misconfiguration of the system will continue to cause trouble.

[Shophound]

Resi compressors can last longer than eleven years if the equipment they serve was installed and maintained properly.

[cep a/c]

The real difference between replacement of the compressor or the condensing unit.
1) Higher SEER rating which means more energy effecient - Elect savings
2) Likely the compressor replacement warranty is for 1 year
3) The condensing unit replacement warranty will generally be 10 years on quality equipment.

It's a bit like replacing an engine on a 11 year old car. The engine should work fine for many years. The concern is all the stuff around it failing.

[model m-man]

I woulden't worry about the compressor failing that soon. It's the rest of the system's longevity that you will be gambling on. That's all it is - a gamble.

Last spring I replaced a compressor on a 3 ton 12 Seer Bryant that was 19 years old. I tried to talk the HO into buying a new unit as anything can happen to a unit that old and there is a real possibility of something else failing that I can't get a replacement for. He chose to take the gamble. He's happy, I'm happy and I reckon that's all that matter's.

[cep a/c]

I woulden't worry about the compressor failing that soon. It's the rest of the system's longevity that you will be gambling on. That's all it is - a gamble.

Last spring I replaced a compressor on a 3 ton 12 Seer Bryant that was 19 years old. I tried to talk the HO into buying a new unit as anything can happen to a unit that old and there is a real possibility of something else failing that I can't get a replacement for. He chose to take the gamble. He's happy, I'm happy and I reckon that's all that matter's.

19 year old and it was a 12 SEER. It must have been a top of the line unit at the time.

[Mike95]

Thanks everyone for all the replies, it is very helpful. The reason I was told a new compressor would only last 2-4 years is that when the old one failed it usually sends a whole bunch of "stuff" up the lines and into the unit overall (not sure if they meant just the A.C. or the AH also) and thus the junk in the lines would make the compressor fail quickly.
I absolutely agree my issue with replacing the compressor is that then everything else will fail around it soon. It is a gamble.
I'm leaning towards fixing the compressor and then starting a huge savings fund to buy new equipment.
Does this sound like a reasonable explanation on why a new compressor would fail or am I just being pushed into buying a new unit? Thanks a lot. Mike

[BigJon3475]

If you change the oil refrigerant and filter driers you can cleanup the system with careful attention the the filter drier when they get build up in them.

A lot of time it's just not worth it because of the numerous hours spent servicing/cleaning the system. Sometimes may be close to what it would just cost to replace it......of course that's if it's done like it should be.

You might find someone else that can do it in "2 hours" but I think you might know where that "could" land you.


Not factual ...numbers in this post are for examples only

[breeze101]

Regardless of whether you go for the compressor replecement or a new system you should also have them take care of the mismatch. Its usually just a matter of cutting the linsets in the attic and swapping them between the two air handlers.

[t527ed]

repair the mismatch and replace compressor, just don't let the 2-4 yr guy do it......:eek:

[Mike95]

OK, I called a York repairman and he said I should just replace the air conditioner "condenser" and leave the gas furnace in the attic alone. He said he could put in a new 13 SEER unit for not much more than a new compressor and I would have a much longer warranty v. the 1 year for the compressor.

My question is, is there a compatibility problem with doing this? Why did no other installers give me this option? I rarely ever use the heat (like 2-3 times a year). By using that gas furnace with a new condenser am I going to have unintended problems? Thank you to everyone so much for your help.

[t527ed]

doubt that your 11 year old coil will be a match for a new 13 seer unit...:cool:


post coil model # someone may be able to tell.

[2old2rock]

I would worry about the coil not matching, and how long the coil will last.

[beenthere]

You can reuse the furnace. But if you don't replace the ID coil at the furnace, you won't get 13 SEER. In fact, you could get less then 10 SEER.

[KB Cool]

Wow. So they mixed up the line sets at the outdoor units at install. Why doesn't anybody want to correct this. Are both outdoor units located on the same side of the house? I ran across this once at a brand new resturant. Installers piped the freezer condensor into the walkin cooler and vice versa. Took me a few hours to figure it out. And even then i had to wipe my eyes and double check to make sure i was seeing what i was really seeing.:D

[breeze101]

Ive been seeing a couple of these every summer. Last one there were two systems on the house. The larger air handler was feeding air to a couple of back bedrooms and a bath. While it was up to the small on to cool the living room kitchen diningroom all with large windows and vaulted ceilings.

Not only did the homebuilders installer mess that up, but the condensing units were hooked up to the wrong air handlers.... 3 1 2 to the small air handler and 2 1 2 to the larger one.

I figure the installers musta been gettin over heated. But theres supposed to be a second set of eyes going behind them to catch anything they missed...



As far as the question by the OP i would be wary of the longer warranty promised with replacing the condensing unit alone. Ive been told they dont warranty them without the indoor coil being replaced.

[Mike95]

Wow. So they mixed up the line sets at the outdoor units at install. Why doesn't anybody want to correct this. Are both outdoor units located on the same side of the house? I ran across this once at a brand new resturant. Installers piped the freezer condensor into the walkin cooler and vice versa. Took me a few hours to figure it out. And even then i had to wipe my eyes and double check to make sure i was seeing what i was really seeing.:D


Would you be interested in fixing the compressor and the mis match for me. The gas furnace in the attic is set up correctly, the larger one to the more vents but it is connected to the 3.5 ton v. the 4 ton. If you are interested please contact me at via the email address on my personal page. Thanks