Regular Guest
We bought our home in August 07 with a 17 year old York for the main level which we replaced recently and a 5/6 year old Trane XL13i for the upper level.
The Trane hasn't really operated properly and couldn't keep up with the heatwave that hit the east coast early June. We had an experienced tech examine the policy and he noted decent pressure that would gradually reduce all of a sudden. He also noted that the installer (Sears) did a shoddy job and used the existing line set when switching an R 22 to a R 410 system. He doubts that they flowed nitrogen through the line set.
His diagnosis is that there is contamination in the system and it is restricting the expansion valve in the attic unit. He recommended changing the indoor coil as well as the valve, running a new line set and adding an oversize filter dryer to catch as much of the contamination as possible. After reading his advice I found the invoice of the HVAC service that was completed prior to us buying the house and the tech doing the tune up had noted poor pressure in the attic unit and declared a restricted valve. He changed the filter dryer, the valve and recharged with the recommended level of R 410.
My tech said that this history changes his advice. The fact that this fix did not solve the problem even though the line set was not changed led him to advise not spending what would be approximately a third of the cost of a new system on repairs. Even though the system is 6 years old he recommends scrapping it.
I'd really appreciate your advice, lads. Are there other ways to clean the system out to enable good, long term operation? It seems rather a waste to scrap it.
Professional Member*
Did he check airflow? What is the model #'s of both units? what size lineset?
Could be the previous tech did not install the new valve properly. I wouldn't scrap the unit just because it has a problem a good tech will find and solve the problem. get a second opinion.
God Speed, Jim. We'll miss you - 2-26-23
As above. It doesn't sound like he checked enough of the system to know whats wrong.
You need another contractor/service tech. One that knows how to check a system, not just look at guage readings.
Regular Guest
Appreciate your reply. I'll look up the model numbers and post them. How do I find out the lineset size?Originally Posted by obxtech
Professional Member
The previous owner paid good money to get a xl13i. He no doubt expected longevity. Don't be so quick to scrap a great system. Have someone do a true diagnostic. If they truly know what they are doing, they will find the problem. It may take a little time, but they will know how to interperet what the readings are telling them. Best to ya.
Hvac Maniac
"A negative attitude cancels out positive skills."
Regular Guest
Did the first guy. Flush the system after he changed the drier and valve? May need to just change the drier again. But--- get a realiable tech there that speaks more than HVACESE and can explain it to you in plain terms.
Regular Guest
At last I've found the model numbers for the air handler and compressor.
Air handler - 4TEE3F31A
Compresser - 4TWX3024
I have no idea of the lineset size.
Any thoughts will be much appreciated.
Regular Guest
.
God Speed, Jim. We'll miss you - 2-26-23
I don't have listings for your match up. But that doesn't mean anything. Its probably a 10 SEER match up.
You still need a tech that knows what he is doing. If you want to find the real problem.
Or, you can have the unit replaced, because they don't know how to diagnose it.
Regular Guest
I have HOPEWELL HEATING and AIR CONDITIONING from Red Lion PA coming tomorrow to do a diagnosis. They are a Trane Comfort Specialist which is a title awarded to firms who have high levels of customer satisfaction so hopefully they know what they're doing.
Regular Guest
The tech came this morning and thoroughly inspected the air handler in the attic and found everything in order.
He then attached his gauges to the outdoor unit and they read in the normal range for approx. 4/5 minutes but then, as before, the head pressure began to rise and the other began to drop.
He found the compressor and the air handler to be in good working order and pointed to the TXV being faulty because it must be closing and not letting the refridgerant through thus the rise in pressure.
He was a little concerned that the TXV was only replaced in August 07 with a filter dryer yet the problem has returned. He said the valve may have been bad straight out of the box or it could have become too hot during the brasing process. He's checking with his boss to see if he has any experience of this happening before and whether it could be something else.
Any thoughts, lads?
God Speed, Jim. We'll miss you - 2-26-23
There have been some bad new TXVs recently. So its very possible.
But also just as likely, that something is restricting at the TXV. Could be that teh tech that installed it used to much brazing rod at it if its a sweat TXV, or when he changed the filter drier.
The tech should have checked for temp differencials, frost lines, to find where the restriction is.
Regular Guest
Thanks for your comments. The first tech noted the air handler frosted as the head pressure rose. Is this what you mean?
God Speed, Jim. We'll miss you - 2-26-23
Yes.
But you have to look where its frosting and when.
A restriction before the TXV can make it frost and then thaw.
Takes some practice and some patients to know what its telling you.
Posting Permissions
Reply