Need help with old Carrier window AC model Siesta 51BK
Hi,
I need some help with my AC, it has the common problem of water overflowing from the front evaporator coil. The AC works well (1977!) but the small tray under the front coils overflows, fills the entire bottom of the unit, and then leaks down the wall. I don't know if it has a flinger fan, but there is no water coming out the back during operation. There is no visible drain (plugged or otherwise) as it is mounted within another steel shell. It will be a bit of an effort to remove it, so I am looking for advice beforehand. Any ideas? I though about drilling a hole in the outer shell and through the bottom of the AC, but where to blind drill?
Thanks for the help!
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No need to drill holes if it worked in the past it clearly doesn't need redesigned. Unfortunately you're going to have to pull it out and I would recommend having it professionally cleaned. There are drain openings that clog pretty frequently on all window units.
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I recommend yearly cleaning on all window units and PTAC units.
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"Is this before or after you fired the parts cannon at it?" - senior tech
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I'm tired of these mediocre "semi flammable" refrigerants. If we're going to do it let's do it right.
Unless we change direction we are likely to end up where we are going.
"It's not new, it's better than new!" Maru.
There is no drain on the exterior metal case, perhaps on the interior, but it cannot be seen. I have never seen water drain from it outside. The filter is clean.
It is reasonably level, but I cannot tell due to the exterior casing.
My neighbor has the same unit (i think) and i see it flinging lots of water droplets outside. Mine has never done that - is there a possibility of a broken flinger fan?
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Originally Posted by handyguy88
There is no drain on the exterior metal case, perhaps on the interior, but it cannot be seen. I have never seen water drain from it outside. The filter is clean.
It is reasonably level, but I cannot tell due to the exterior casing.
My neighbor has the same unit (i think) and i see it flinging lots of water droplets outside. Mine has never done that - is there a possibility of a broken flinger fan?
Whether or not they actually drain water out of the outer case depends on the humidity load and temperature and whether or not it is able to evaporate all the excess water but there will be a drain Port from the inside section to the outside section and they become easily plugged.
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"Is this before or after you fired the parts cannon at it?" - senior tech
"Is this before or after you fired the parts cannon at it?" - senior tech
I'm tired of these mediocre "semi flammable" refrigerants. If we're going to do it let's do it right.
Unless we change direction we are likely to end up where we are going.
"It's not new, it's better than new!" Maru.
so... I was able to remove the AC from the wall and working on cleaning it up. There is no drain hole, just a low area in the pan for the rear fan to fling water onto the back condenser.
The condenser is quite filled with gunk blown up by the fan, not sure how i'm gonna clean that, as the fan and shroud are blocking it. I do have an air compressor, maybe blow it from the backside? Any thoughts on that? Perhaps somehow remove the rear fan, but it's not clear how to do that without dismantling the motor/squirrel cage/front shroud/etc - they don't easily pull out unlike more modern AC's. Also, the exterior metal case has a central bracket that the AC sits on, and it unfortunately tilts inward slightly. I will try to bash that down a bit.
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I hear a traditionally folks used to take them to the car wash. It's definitely not something I recommend because it's too easy to get water into those fan motor bearings and then the units generally totaled because if the motors available it cost too darn much.
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"Is this before or after you fired the parts cannon at it?" - senior tech
"Is this before or after you fired the parts cannon at it?" - senior tech
I'm tired of these mediocre "semi flammable" refrigerants. If we're going to do it let's do it right.
Unless we change direction we are likely to end up where we are going.
"It's not new, it's better than new!" Maru.
I don't think i have much choice - i can't run the ac unless the drainage issue is fixed. No spray cleaner specific to AC available here - any other stock solutions for cleaners? e.g. foaming aluminum wheel cleaner?
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Originally Posted by handyguy88
I don't think i have much choice - i can't run the ac unless the drainage issue is fixed. No spray cleaner specific to AC available here - any other stock solutions for cleaners? e.g. foaming aluminum wheel cleaner?
I don't recommend cleaners. A garden hose and some decent pressure are all that's needed. A bullet brand nozzle is my choice of window unit cleaning tool.
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"Is this before or after you fired the parts cannon at it?" - senior tech
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I'm tired of these mediocre "semi flammable" refrigerants. If we're going to do it let's do it right.
Unless we change direction we are likely to end up where we are going.
"It's not new, it's better than new!" Maru.
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You need to clean it / have it cleaned and inspected internally.
The condensate water is intended to drain towards the outdoor coil. For several decades now the condensate water ends up in a depression under the continuous rim of the condenser fan blade - there is no real external condensate drain. Instead there is an 'overflow' for when the unit is all clogged with yak - like yours is now.
The condenser fan blows outward - and if the fan blade rim picks up water the water is blown onto the inner side of the condenser coil to be evaporated.
The condenser air most often enters from the sides. As it is unfiltered and the outdoor coil often wet - the dirt in the air collects on the inside of the outdoor coil where you can't see it. As condensate water is distilled it contains no minerals. The dirt on the coil is largely organic - so a caustic rather than an acidic cleaner is indicated. Krud Kutter or it's equivalent, flushed outside-to-inside with a garden hose spray nozzle (do not bend the fins!) is a reasonable cleaning method.
After the condenser coil is clean - make sure that the evaporator drain pan and all the little channels which direct condensate out to the depression under the condenser fan are clean, clear, and free draining.
PHM
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Originally Posted by handyguy88
Hi,
I need some help with my AC, it has the common problem of water overflowing from the front evaporator coil. The AC works well (1977!) but the small tray under the front coils overflows, fills the entire bottom of the unit, and then leaks down the wall. I don't know if it has a flinger fan, but there is no water coming out the back during operation. There is no visible drain (plugged or otherwise) as it is mounted within another steel shell. It will be a bit of an effort to remove it, so I am looking for advice beforehand. Any ideas? I though about drilling a hole in the outer shell and through the bottom of the AC, but where to blind drill?
Thanks for the help!
PHM
--------
When faced with the choice between changing one's mind, and proving that there is no need to do so, most tend to get busy on the proof.