High pressures high superheat is what now?

[nlovas]

I looked at a 12 year old 10seer Trane R22 split system today and could not solve the problem.
Complaint: AC runs and cools but not sufficiently.
First thing I did was to check the pressures: 90 and 475 on R22 system, 82 degree outside ambient.
Then I took Superheat 38 and Subcool 25. BTW this is a distributer tube metering device so I know to concentrate on the Superheat.
Next I took temperature differentials across the Condenser 25 and Evap 9.
I looked around to see how dirty the coils other parts are and the coils did not look especially dirty so I did nothing to clean them. The furnace fan did have much buildup on the blades though.

What I'm stuck on is that both pressures are very high and the superheat is very high also. Advise please.

BTW how do I make a degree sign on the keyboard?

[iraqveteran]

You need to start by cleaning both coils and the fan blades. Then you need to take an airflow measurement.(not the 5 finger test either). Get your CFM proper and take it from there.

You make the * symbol by using the number 8 on the keyboard. Shift + 8 = *

[freddy-b]

I looked at a 12 year old 10seer Trane R22 split system today and could not solve the problem.
Complaint: AC runs and cools but not sufficiently.
First thing I did was to check the pressures: 90 and 475 on R22 system, 82 degree outside ambient.
Then I took Superheat 38 and Subcool 25. BTW this is a distributer tube metering device so I know to concentrate on the Superheat.
Next I took temperature differentials across the Condenser 25 and Evap 9.
I looked around to see how dirty the coils other parts are and the coils did not look especially dirty so I did nothing to clean them. The furnace fan did have much buildup on the blades though.

What I'm stuck on is that both pressures are very high and the superheat is very high also. Advise please.

BTW how do I make a degree sign on the keyboard?


Those pressures are scary. Condenser fan running? Overcharged or noncondensables.

[nlovas]

Condenser fan is running within amperage. Compressor is at 1 amp over rating. I did not amp furnace fan.
I plan on cleaning both coils and the furnace fan tomorrow.

If there was an overcharge could the superheat be as high as it is (38)?

[aintitfun]

plugged condenser coil + possible overcharge seems likely. What did the condenser coil look like as far as cleanliness.

[aintitfun]

let us know how this one comes out.

[beenthere]

You make the * symbol by using the number 8 on the keyboard. Shift + 8 = *

Dude. * is not the symbol for degree.
° is the symbol for degree.

[beenthere]

Do a frost test on the indoor coil.

While holding the alt key down, enter 0176 to make the ° symbol.

[markwolf]

High suction & high head with 25 deg subcooling.
Dumb question.
Is the heat on?

[iraqveteran]

holy freakin crap beenthere.....



I never knew I could make the ° with the keyboard...



What else ya got? I need to learn how to type here. Come on...entertain my brain:D

[beenthere]

Dude, let the alt key guy you. :)

alt 0188=¼, alt 0189=½, alt 0190=¾

[JohnnyValvecore]

The info you have provided points to non-condesables, possible mixed refrigerants, or poor condensor coil performance. I wouldn't necesarily suspect overcharging because of the high superheat.

As previously suggested your first step should be a cleaning of the system, including both coils, and fan blade/squirrel cage.

[catmanacman]

check to see if the return air fall off in the attic, is the condensor fan blade turning the correct rotation and wash the condensor

[nlovas]

I took the blower fan out and cleaned it really well. I also cleaned the evap and condenser. It embarrasses me to admit that the whole problem was a clogged condenser. The unit doesnt have a wire cage around it but more of sheet metal panels with slits so I couldn't see the coil. Since there was a 25° (alt 0176 thanks iraqveteran) TD across it I figured that it was doing a good job getting rid of heat. Also I did not think a clogged condenser would jack the pressures up to such an extreme. Unfortunately I left my temperature probe on another job the day before so I couldnt get the new superheat. On a good note I learned something from this call.

Thanks for all the help guys!

[kbm]

nlovas, good to hear you found the problem - dirty conden coil. Realy high head, high suction make sense.
I am curious to learn why you got so much SC (25F)?
Could it be overcharge as well that gives you 475 head and that SC?


I looked at a 12 year old 10seer Trane R22 split system today and could not solve the problem.
Complaint: AC runs and cools but not sufficiently.
First thing I did was to check the pressures: 90 and 475 on R22 system, 82 degree outside ambient.
Then I took Superheat 38 and Subcool 25. BTW this is a distributer tube metering device so I know to concentrate on the Superheat.
Next I took temperature differentials across the Condenser 25 and Evap 9.
I looked around to see how dirty the coils other parts are and the coils did not look especially dirty so I did nothing to clean them. The furnace fan did have much buildup on the blades though.

What I'm stuck on is that both pressures are very high and the superheat is very high also. Advise please.

BTW how do I make a degree sign on the keyboard?

[BigJon3475]

No insulation on the suction line....


Edit: better late then never...lol...even if dead wrong.