Micro-channel leaker

[sammyray]

This is the first Heatcraft condensing unit that we installed that had the micro-channel condenser coil. The condenser leaking in 6 months.:eek2:
How common is this?

[DavyB]

We install many, many Yorks with micro-channel coils and have only had one leaker. It wasn't a factory defect.

York sells a repair kit for the micro-channel coil.

[sammyray]

I sold some York units that had micro channel coil too with no leaks so far. This is the first Heatcraft unit we have installed. Heatcraft is sending us a warranty coil, but we will have to eat the labor and refrigerant.

[icemeister]

Heatcraft has had some leak problems which may relate to the one you have.

About 5 months ago I received a notice from them about a possibility of leaks in some of their Hypercore condensers for which they supply a retrofit kit that they call a HyperCore Coil Isolator Fastening System.

It's basically a new set of mounting bolts with rubber grommets, apparently to relieve stresses on the condenser. Your unit should already have these rubber mounts, but if not, call a see if this unit should have them. It's a flat $180.00 warranty allowance if it needs them.

[itsiceman]

$XXX
Is that for an epoxy gas'n go repair kit or labor/parts/supplies and they send a new coil?

[baub]

Just installed my first Heatcraft (3.5 ton freezer) with the Micro-channel last month for a great customer. I was leery of the condenser coil technology, but the lower amp draw of the scroll compressor that came in the package sold the customer.

I hope I made the right choice.

[Dchappa21]

We installed about 12 or so about a 1 year ago and have not had a leaker yet... We did find one leaking that another company put in it was only 3-4 months old. We got a new coil under warranty.

[icemeister]

$XXX
Is that for an epoxy gas'n go repair kit or labor/parts/supplies and they send a new coil?

That was for installing their "HyperCore Coil Isolator Fastening System", which amounts to replacing about 8 screws with some fancy bolts and rubber grommets. It takes about 30 minutes on a bad day.

[marvin]

This is the first Heatcraft condensing unit that we installed that had the micro-channel condenser coil. The condenser leaking in 6 months.:eek2:
How common is this?

york has a kit for repairing micor channel but it is not very user frriendly.
the best i have found is an alloy made by cecil muggy in sandy utah.
small learning curve & very good results. e mail me if you want his
web address. i found that i have very good sucess rate with his product &
ypu are only working in the 350 drg. range. & get very good tensile strenght.

[itsiceman]

That was for installing their "HyperCore Coil Isolator Fastening System", which amounts to replacing about 8 screws with some fancy bolts and rubber grommets. It takes about 30 minutes on a bad day.Thanks I'll keep an eye out for those :)
Glad to here they are replacing the whole coil under warranty and not trying the repairs for the leakers.

[JWB]

york has a kit for repairing micor channel but it is not very user frriendly.
the best i have found is an alloy made by cecil muggy in sandy utah.
small learning curve & very good results. e mail me if you want his
web address. i found that i have very good sucess rate with his product &
ypu are only working in the 350 drg. range. & get very good tensile strenght.

Which one are you using. I have a customer around the corner with a bad Trane spline coil. Leaker so easy to get to the spot, but I lacked the right stuff for fixing it. Super Alloy 1 or 5 and is there a guide to help a feller, I watched a York video, but didn't buy the stuff. My shop doesn't want anything to do with repairing aluminum, but I really want to learn....

[marvin]

Which one are you using. I have a customer around the corner with a bad Trane spline coil. Leaker so easy to get to the spot, but I lacked the right stuff for fixing it. Super Alloy 1 or 5 and is there a guide to help a feller, I watched a York video, but didn't buy the stuff. My shop doesn't want anything to do with repairing aluminum, but I really want to learn....

ive been using the super alloy 1 with good results.
takes a bit of practice but its all about heat control & watching the flux color.
it also makes a good alum. to copper joint if the factory bond fails.
ive found that when you take the spines off it takes a lot of cleaning
to get to shiny aluminum.

[sammyray]

Thanks I'll keep an eye out for those :)
Glad to here they are replacing the whole coil under warranty and not trying the repairs for the leakers.

Here some pic's of coil before and after the repair.

[icemeister]

Here some pic's of coil before and after the repair.

Good job. :)

It looks like you installed it with those new rubber grommets, too. ;)

[JWB]

ive been using the super alloy 1 with good results.
takes a bit of practice but its all about heat control & watching the flux color.
it also makes a good alum. to copper joint if the factory bond fails.
ive found that when you take the spines off it takes a lot of cleaning
to get to shiny aluminum.

So you are able to fix Trane/AmStand alum to copper bonds? I had a 1.5 yr condenser coil last year. Customer was owner of a c-store....really wasn't happy with me. Ha!! I don't make 'em.

I was at a late night call and the Trane aluminum had a small leak I coulda fixed on a copper line. Guess I am gong to buy that Super 1 kit and practice.

[itsiceman]

ice do you know from the info you got is the "HyperCore Coil Isolator Fastening System" only used on certain units or all of them?
I have 4 new units and they are all mounted metal to metal.
I've seen others and none have the Isolators :confused:

[icemeister]

ice do you know from the info you got is the "HyperCore Coil Isolator Fastening System" only used on certain units or all of them?
I have 4 new units and they are all mounted metal to metal.
I've seen others and none have the Isolators :confused:

The isolators were for the larger size condensers on the 3 hp units and up.

[itsiceman]

Thanks I'll recheck what they are :CU: