Causes of noise on compressor XE1200 start up

[C3Restorer]

Hi new this forum...great site. I have been reading and doing some searches here for some answers to my problem, could not find anything so I this my first post!!
I have a 9 year old home with a Trane heat pump model #XE1299 About 2 months ago the compressing unit starting making a terrible intermitant noise while running.
Called my HVAC service guy, came out and determined it was the capicitor. Compressor was trying to start and couldn't. Although it did cool some. Replaced the capicitor and everything was fine.

Well now it has started doing this again last night, Saturday, called and of course he is closed on weekends.

My questions is...what is causing the capicitors to fail? and
Is the compressor going bad? thanks, Mark

[Chuck65]

Why does my remote not change the channel? Knowing the answer does not make me a cable tv. tech any more than you will be able to fix your a/c if you had the answer...Call A tech!!!..or two.:)

[derbysr]

Ask
to check the whole unit per say outside and inside , amp draw at compressor and fan motor inside the whole thingh so they can arrive at a conclusion that is satisfactory for you're purpose.

[beenthere]

Yea. You need your tech to check the whole system to find out what is causing it.

Too many possibilities to guess from here.

[C3Restorer]

Why does my remote not change the channel? Knowing the answer does not make me a cable tv. tech any more than you will be able to fix your a/c if you had the answer...Call A tech!!!..or two.:)

Easy Chuck65..read the post have...I called my Sevice man. not avail till Monday..not trying to fix it myself.

My concern is, if need I need a new unit. If so I want to start doing some resaerch. Lots of options especiallly with the phasing out of R-22. If I go with the new R410A. Is it compatiple with my Trane evaporating unit? If Not I am looking at a whole new system.....

[beenthere]

A new R22 condenser may not be compatible with your current coil either.

[Chuck65]

Easy Chuck65..read the post have...I called my Sevice man. not avail till Monday..not trying to fix it myself.

My concern is, if need I need a new unit. If so I want to start doing some resaerch. Lots of options especiallly with the phasing out of R-22. If I go with the new R410A. Is it compatiple with my Trane evaporating unit? If Not I am looking at a whole new system.....

Did not mean to offend.. I was :) when I posted it. I sincerly apologize.

[C3Restorer]

Did not mean to offend.. I was :) when I posted it. I sincerly apologize.

Chuck no offense taken!!! I may have been a little on edge today, 88* day in FL and no AC and can't get a 24 hour service company to respond!!! Have been doing alot of research on this site. What a great site. At least I will be more informed and educated when the service company does show!!!
thanks for your post

[mechanicalgsxr]

there are legitimate a/c companies that dont have 24 hour service?

[C3Restorer]

Well with no AC and some time on my hands today I did some research here on this site. Also called a friend who used to be a HVAC service tech, who is out of the state. I have come up with some ideas of what's going on:

Seems the noise I have is called a "false start" in the compressor.

Seems the fix might be a "Hard Start" kit.
My Trane is only 9 yrs old and I had the cap. replaced about 2 months because pf the the same symtoms. Could be a couple of things going on too..
Read here that there are same replacement cap quality issues
Could be tha wrong cap
Hard Start kit is a good thing and actualy adds life to the compressor
Over charging can cause hard stars due to high priessure (this unit has never had any gas added)
Could be amp or voltage drop from poor connections,

Anyway, I am more educated and confident for when I have to deal with my service tech, hopefully tomorrow.

This is a great site...with alot of great people who take their time and have the patience to respond!!! Thanks :)

[Chuck65]

Chuck no ofense taken!!! I may have been a little on edge today, 88* day in FL and no AC and can't get a 24 hour service company to respond!!! Have been doing alot of research on this site. What a great site. At least I will be more informed and educated when the service company does show!!!
thanks for your post

Definatly prepare yourself to ask questions... Be prepared to get a second opinion if necessary.Most Techs out there want to help the customer and get a fair wage for doing so. No guarantee that you won't find the one who just wants to sell you a new system.(which is fine if thats what you are looking for).

[C3Restorer]

there are legitimate a/c companies that dont have 24 hour service?

Does that mean the 24 hr service companies are not legit?

[mechanicalgsxr]

Does that mean the 24 hr service companies are not legit?

i dont think you read that correctly

[forcryinoutloud]

No, I would bet that like him, I find it very rare to hear of a company that does not provide 24/7 service. Usually after hours will cost more, but is still provided.

[allan38]

An old r-22 evap coil wouldn't match up with a new 410a condenser.
You could get a new r-22 condenser but it may not work efficiently with the old evap coil.
It may cool but be less efficient than the old system.
It's best to replace the whole system and get more efficiency and a longer warranty.
Lennox is offering a 10 year parts and labor warranty for free with a new system.

It's most likely something minor, the start kit may have failed or the recently replaced run capacitor may have failed. I know the mind can bring up all sorts of bad scenarios, don't worry about it until you find out what's wrong.
You probably know this but in case you didn't, don't try to run your AC with it making odd noises. Worst case, it could drastically shorten the life of the compressor.

[C3Restorer]

Well my service guy returned my call this morning, so much foir the 24/7 service! He comes out and looks at the condensing unit, listens to the compressor trying to start, meters the capicitors and determines I need a new compressor. Something about a bad or burnt wire on the primary side inside the compresor case won't let the unit start!! So at this point I am not buying it. Told him I am going to get a another estimate
Called the Trane dealer, that installed the system 9 yrs ago when the house was built. They get here at 5 pm, one look at the hard start capicitor, listen to the false starts. He rigs up a universal hard start kit and compressor starts up right away and no noise. Checks the hi and low side reading on the gas, checks the amps being pulled and everything is in spec according to the card inside the service panel. He actually makes a point to show me!!
He feels the compressor is OK and that the replacement hard start capicitor was not correct. Specs on the case were right for the unit, but less than 1/2 the size of the original. So he instals a Trane replacement hard start capicitor and relay and all is well. Parts and service were a little pricey. But it is working, it's quiet, and a whole lot cheaper than than a new compressor.

I just want to thank everyone for their helpful posts. This is a great site. I spent a couple of hours on Sunday doing some searches and reading alot of threads. Everything I read pointed to the hard start system....Hopefully I won't have any trouble for a while.
Now I wonder if I should go after the other guy charged $xxxx for the wrong parts...

[beenthere]

Why didn't you call the installing contractor right away.
They probably would have had some one out sooner.

You can try to get a refund from teh other company.
But that can turn into a he said she said.