If POE is such a good solvent.....

[craig1]

Will replacing the POE oil in a system with a partially clogged cap tube result in the new oil cleaning the sludge out of the cap tube?

[Phase Loss]

not if it's plugged with salts

[craig1]

not if it's plugged with organic salts

I don't know what its plugged with, but its a black tar like substance, not the tan colored stuff I usually see in True cap tubes.


This is a samsung resi fridge that was not cooling. It belongs to the aunt of one of the counter guys at my supply house. I went there and found the filter dryer frosting when i plugged it it. cut out dryer and it and the cap tube were clean but the anti-sweat loop around the door frame was plugged so I eliminated it and ran the discharge of the condenser right in to a new emerson cap tube filter dryer (out of Sporlan Cap-T dryers).

This worked great for a week, but once again got a no-cooling call. Went and found the cap tube blocked. Cut off all exposed cap tube (about 4 inches) and installed new Sporlan Cap-T dryer. Its working now, but I had to overcharge it to get the suction up and the head is too high, so I know the cap tube is restricted.

When I cut the outlet stub off the old dryer I could see a bunch of black stuff at the inlet to the cap tube.


The original cause of all this is that the condenser fan locked up and overheated the compressor. The homeowner replaced the fan.

[Phase Loss]

I'd cut out the compressor and drain/replace the POE oil and replace that cap tube and drier again at a minimum.

But you might be looking at a compressor replacement too, due to overheating. Quite possible POE is contacting bare metal, and forming salts.

[DLZ Dan]

I don't know what its plugged with, but its a black tar like substance, not the tan colored stuff I usually see in True cap tubes.

It isn't the dreaded green slime is it??

[Tommy knocker]

I don't know what its plugged with, but its a black tar like substance, not the tan colored stuff I usually see in True cap tubes.


This is a samsung resi fridge that was not cooling. It belongs to the aunt of one of the counter guys at my supply house. I went there and found the filter dryer frosting when i plugged it it. cut out dryer and it and the cap tube were clean but the anti-sweat loop around the door frame was plugged so I eliminated it and ran the discharge of the condenser right in to a new emerson cap tube filter dryer (out of Sporlan Cap-T dryers).

This worked great for a week, but once again got a no-cooling call. Went and found the cap tube blocked. Cut off all exposed cap tube (about 4 inches) and installed new Sporlan Cap-T dryer. Its working now, but I had to overcharge it to get the suction up and the head is too high, so I know the cap tube is restricted.

When I cut the outlet stub off the old dryer I could see a bunch of black stuff at the inlet to the cap tube.


The original cause of all this is that the condenser fan locked up and overheated the compressor. The homeowner replaced the fan.

The tar is POE that has been cooked, according to a lab that tested it for us. Have seen it in some air cooled chillers that had been neglected. Gummed up the inside. Sticky stuff. The oil is junk so change it along with drier and cap tube.

[Tommy knocker]

The tar is POE that has been cooked, according to a lab that tested it for us. Have seen it in some air cooled chillers that had been neglected. Gummed up the inside. Sticky stuff. The oil is junk so change it along with drier and cap tube.

Oh and clean the cond coil or fix the cond fan so she don't cook the new oil.

[timebuilder]

What doesn't get replaced, I would want to flush, too.