RHEEM HP compressor comes on and goes right back off.

[beenthere]

Ohhhh, sorry beenthere about that price I put in a post yesterday. I won't do that again. *!* Lynnie

Promises, promises. LOL

[jpb2]

No one here can really help w/o knowing the whole situation and seeing the job. Sounds like you have a bum contractor. ( HOPE HE WAS NOT THE CHEAPEST BID ). The Ruud line is as clean as I have seen it. Airflow design and many other issues can effect the situation. I wish you well

[tinknockertom]

There is no way in H** i would let the installing contractor back on my property. I deall with Rheem/Rudd equipment all the time and there is nothing that would prevent this unit from being repaired after the second visit. The fact is they do not now how to fix your problem and they should of told you that up front. They are not helping our image here. CALL another service company. They are taking advantage of you. Just reading this thread has really made me angry

[lynnie]

Okay, I called Rheem and spoke with Jenna in customer service. I told her the WHOLE story and she told me that:

-parts should be covered
-contractors are independently owned and Rheem doesn't have any control over them
-that she could call the distributor about getting me another contractor in this area
-and that that was all she could do for me.

When I pressed a bit she said:
-you can call the BBB
-call consumer reporting
-get an attorney

When I asked how to escalate this problem within Rheem she said:
-the contractor can fill out a job site info sheet
-the contractor can get the district rep involved
-Superior distribution is the distributor for this area
-but no way that I can advocate for myself in this

she reluctantly gave me the phone numbers for Superior in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, but said that she doubted the distributor would talk to me.

It's supposed to be in the 60's here today, so glad of that.

And basically I told Jenna at Rheem that my TXV was replaced in late Nov, my compressor failed in late Dec (which I think was directly caused by a mistake he made in Nov), the contractor was out in early Jan with a new compressor that he could not get to work, that for 4 weeks I was told that the parts are not in yet, that he was out last Fri and here all day and it still isn't fixed, but that he told my mother that the compressor was working but something else was making a noise so he disconnected it so I wouldn't use it.

and Jenna didn't seem surprised by my story either.

thanks everyone for your help and support. Lynnie

[AirCareTech]

Find another contractor and a lawyer.
Don't be afraid to let a bit of your anger and frustration show.
You've been way too patient.

[sktn77a]

Sounds like Rheem were a big help (Not)! I'd call the Rheem distributor. They don't generally like talking directly with end-users but I've had great luck with Gemaire (the Rheem distributor in the SouthEast) and your situation is certainly out-of-the-ordinary. See if you can speak to their Tech Support guy.

Bottom line is (as others have said), Rheem equipment is very good and there's no reason the problem can't be fixed. But you need to get your heating system back up and running so I'd call it a day with the present installer and see if you can get a Rheem "Top Contractor" to come out and fix the system. The nearest one to Bloomington appears to be:

Heady Heating & A/C
112 W. Main St
Farmersburg, IN 47850
Phone: (812) 696-2396
Contact: Ed Heady
Web Site: http://heady.rheemteam.net

Yes, it's a bit further than companies ordinarily travel but I' think it might be worth getting a recognized Rheem specialist to fix the problem. And if it costs you a hunderd bucks more than Bozo the Clown, you're still ahead of the game!

Good luck!

Keith

[lynnie]

Well, the same contractor showed up again this morning about 10 AM or so. He didn't call first so I was surprised to see him. I asked him if Rheem had called him, as I had called them about my problem. The first thing he said was 'well, good, they keep saying to check the outside TXV.... etc, etc, etc (stuff I don't understand)" I truly think he doesn't know how to fix.

So anyway he asked for the Rheem number I called and the name of the person I spoke with, I provided both, and he's been out there for about 3 hours or so now. I'm holed up inside. (I hate confrontation if you haven't guessed) It's past time they should have stopped for lunch, so maybe they are about finished. (1:45 PM here now)

He also mentioned Terre Haute so I think that is where the distributor is for our area.

No idea what to expect, but hopeful. Thanks everyone! Lynnie

[yelram]

Okay, here comes the detective on the scene. The TXV valve they changed was inside right? Because i'm sure they put an air conditioning expansion valve on a heatpump. This might not be their fault though. I had one fail on a heatpump, gave the order to the supplier, and installed the valve they shipped. This was in the summer, and it worked fine until winter. I had to go back and switch it, but the distributor company covered the labor since it was their mistake. Most of our valves for AC have "not for heatpumps" written on the box, but this one apparently did not, and they needed the specific part number to tell me if it was AC or HP. Either that, or they installed the equalizer port at the wrong orientation, and oil is preventing the proper operation of the TXV.

[lynnie]

I am happy to report that the HP is now fixed. He said he replaced the outside TXV today to get it running again. He sat out there and watched it run for quite a while, but then said it was fine. He said that he talked with a Rheem rep today from Indy (service rep or service mgr?) about what was going on with it. He is going to come back in 2 or 3 days to check for leaking.

But I am so relieved. I've been out getting wood on the porch and it is a really nice night here in Indiana. It is 58 degrees, there is a light breeze out of the south, there is a full moon that is lightly opaque due to clouds....and my HP is FIXED!! Who could ask for more?

Yelram, if it fails again I will share your suggestions. I hope the Rheem rep would have run through the alternatives with him when they talked.

Last time it failed in 32 days. But I'm hoping I never have any problems with this thing again.

Now I'm so looking forward to the bill. Generally speaking about how many hours does it usually take to replace a compressor? Like what is a common range? I want to be somewhat prepared.

Thanks everyone for your help and support. The Pres was in Indiana today and I'm watching him on tv now, although I think it is national. I hope his economic plans are beneficial for all of you!!! Take care, Lynnie

[lynnie]

okay, I know I'm slow at times but this morning the 'leak' concept just came through to me. It was the 'freon-like substance' that was probably leaking out of there. It was probably a very slow leak and it took about a month for it to all leak out, or at least leak out to a damaging point. And the absence of the substance is damaging to the compressor, and quite possibly the TXV as well? maybe other things too?

So he should have seen when he was here checking the first time that the pressure was low in there, but he didn't tell me that. I don't think he had any of that pressure checking equipment (stuff with gauges) out there that first time he came, but not certain.

I feel like a light bulb just came on. I think I was too stressed to put it together previously. sheeeshhhhh. Thanks everyone. Lynnie

[heaterman]

Checking refrigerant levels is a basic part of trouble shooting AC and heat pump operation, almost like looking at the gas gauge in you car when it won't run. I would not worry at this point as with the work they did, adding refrigerant was a necessity and they would of had to use a gauge manifold, so play it by ear. Keep us informed, best of luck with the resolution of your HVAC issues.

[sktn77a]

Hmmmm............. Let's see now, you had the TXV replaced by this guy in early December and within 3 weeks a 2 year old compressor was trashed. And then after another 4 weeks, they discover the TXV needs replacing again.................

If I were him, I wouldn't dare ask you for a penny!