Empty systems.

[Logan_L]

The AC season is just starting for me up here in Montreal, the winter was a harsh one and the results are obvious. This week I came across three units that had bled out due to damaged capillaries. Fortunately for my customers two of the units were under warranty and my suppliers gave the OK to change the condenser completely.

The third client is thinking about going ahead with the repairs(against my recommendations). Considering this is a nine year old HP and has been exposed to the atmosphere for an unknown amount of time(liquid like was broken clean off the service valve by falling ice), I question if I will be able to remove enough humidity and other possible contaminants to make the effort worthwhile.

Has anyone had any success saving a system like this? Any advice besides the obvious vacuum and line dryers?

[beenthere]

Lots of nitrogen purging.
For drying out the system. lock the RV in cooling mode, and install a vapor FD also.
Come back in a day or 2, and remove it, and install a new LLFD. Might want to add a sight glass when your there the first time. That way you can see if the system is dry when you come back to remove the vapor FD.

[Logan_L]

yeah, thats about all I can do. But with the price tag my boss puts on my time, the customer is going to end up having a heart attack.

[beenthere]

As long as you leave a customer know upfront, why a proper repair is expensive.
Part of service, is helping customers to realize that some repairs are so expensive, and don't guaranty the other componets won't fail 2 weeks later.
All you can do is advise upfront, and let them make teh decision. Its there money to spend.

If your not flat rate, estimate an amount of time to do the repair, including the removal, and installation of the seconf LLFD. Let the customer know up front. He may decide to get a new system then. Or, he might still try to save a bucj and go with the repair. You did all you could to steer him in the right direction. And can do the job right, with no concern that the customer will have sticker shock.

The cost of the repair, is the cost of the repair.