Compressor Replacement

[rickelder]

p

[bmathews]

Do you do this for a living? I will assume not. If you did, then you would know the answers to these questions. If you do and are an installer or some other capacity in the hvac field. It's best to get somebody you work with to assist you. If you are not. I'm surprised that Trane would sell a homeowner a compressor. Good luck.

[bwalley]

I have a Trane XE1000 about ten years old with a locked up compressor. I have bought a new compressor from Trane and am going to install myself. I am assuming this is a burn-out. There is a factory installed dryer in the liquid line at the compressor,should i replace it? Install one in the suction as well, or just leave the existing dryer and add one in the suction line and where?

This is not a DIY site.

Do yourself a favor and hire a licensed contractor to install it for you, otherwise you will end up replacing this new compressor.

[hvacpacfan]

IF it's a burn-out you'll have to do a little more then just replace the compressor and filter drier. How you know the compressor is bad did you check the windings. It could be something as simple as a $20 dollar part. Call a Tech.

[rickelder]

Compressor was pulling LR amps and tripping breaker.

[big sky hvac]

I have a Trane XE1000 about ten years old with a locked up compressor. I have bought a new compressor from Trane and am going to install myself. I am assuming this is a burn-out. There is a factory installed dryer in the liquid line at the compressor,should i replace it? Install one in the suction as well, or just leave the existing dryer and add one in the suction line and where?

There's a show on HGTV called: "In Way Over My Head", I think yours will be the next episode. If you're assuming(we all know what happens when one assumes) then you probably don't know why it failed. Determining why it failed is step 1 in compressor replacement, to prevent it from happening again. If you aren't sure on what driers to use, then this really isn't a project you should be doing. Do you have the proper tools & equipment needed to do this? This is a project best left to the professionals. I still can't believe Trane would sell an HO a compressor?? You should also know that if you go ahead with your plan to do the compressor changeout yourself, there is going to be NO WARRANTY on that compressor when it fails again(and it will fail again). Do yourself a favor, save yourself some money in the long run and call a professional.

[beshvac]

Compressor was pulling LR amps and tripping breaker.

That still doesn't mean the compressor was bad. There are more steps to verify than that.

[big sky hvac]

That still doesn't mean the compressor was bad. There are more steps to verify than that.

That's a good point, but I think he's past that now that he's already bought a new compressor. My favorite calls in the winter(happens more in heating than cooling season) is when the furnace won't run & the HO says the thermostat is bad & it won't run the furnace. Imagine how much money we'd make if we just replace the thermostat because the HO thought it was bad, then clean the flame sensor or fix any other problem with the furnace to get the heat going. I always laugh when I see the "Furnace NOP, thinks it's the thermostat" call. In the summer it's always "I think the compressor is shot". It couldn't be a contactor or capacitor, could it?!

[rickelder]

Compressor was pulling 90+ amps. Checked capacitor and it was good. Put on a hard start kit and compressor made a slight "gurgle" but still tripped breaker. And yes I checked to make sure the breaker was good too. Sound like a locked-up compressor now or should I check something else?

[sylvia b]

You should have called me. I clearly see a service tech driving towards your home in the future.

[pecmsg]

I would love to put on a warranty label
Reason for failure “Gurgle Sound”

Do you have:
Oil Test Kit
Recovery Machine and Tanks (Required by US EPA regulations)
Torch
Brazing Rod (15%)
Sil-Floss (35-55%)
Nitrogen tank with low pressure regulator
Vacuum Pump
Micron Gauge
Liquid Line Drier
Suction Filter (if burnout)
Refrigerant
Refrigerant Scale
Temperature Probes
Amp Probe
Brains and experience
And I’m sure several other things.






Take that compressor back before someone gets hurt!

[Shophound]

Add EPA certification to that list.

My first time changing out a compressor solo I was on pins and needles, and I had watched my HVAC mentor do it several times. Even so I got the wiring wrong...fortunately figured it out before I did any damage. Even then I wasn't as diligent about things as I am now, such as using a micron meter to measure vacuum, flowing nitrogen during brazing, flushing the line set if there was a burnout, and, oh yeah, FIGURING OUT WHY THE ORIGINAL COMPRESSOR DIED!!

[big sky hvac]

should I check something else?

I would try checking the yellow pages under Air Conditioning Service to find a service tech to come finish your job before you make any more mistakes you'll regret.

[JJDH]

You forgot to put ur manifold gauges on there....

[hvacvegas]

You forgot to put ur manifold gauges on there....

"I got a bike tire gauge, will that work?"

[pecmsg]

FIGURING OUT WHY THE ORIGINAL COMPRESSOR DIED!!

I knew I forgot something. Thanks Shophound

[knewguy]

There's an old saying, "penny wise and pound foolish."

Do yourself a favor call a pro.

The compressor being bad is not the problem, its the symptom of your

trouble.

Ignore it and you will have another bad compressor in short order.