York YK-Something Weird

[WrenchTRNR]

Today I was call out to customer site to check for a chiller problem. York M/N YKF5FSQ7-ENG. All seemed ok with chiller but I peak at the evap site glass and see this.Attachment 834698. First thing that came to my mind was cracked tube. But after further observation I found oil in sump clear and clean looking. Refrigerant in condenser glass clear and clean and chiller running pretty good. Then I see this... If you can’t see it very well this is the filter for the evap oil return. Someone has relocated it for ease of changing (I guess). Could the added piping cause a problem with oil return? I did notice that oil level in sump is operating at the lowest level but still in the green.
Also customer had recent oil and refrigerant testing results. No high moisture results in either.

Any Thoughts?

[WrenchTRNR]

Sorry I did something wrong on attaching the pics. Here is the glass on evap (I Hope)

[ehsx]

Don't see a line to or an inductor? appears to be connected between liquid connection and evap? May be just a cleanup filter drier? Need sketch or more pics.

Sight glass, wrong or excessive oil in evap? Prior failure debris?

[WrenchTRNR]

The filter piping that was extended runs from evap to oil sump. There is another machine of the same vintage next to this one. The piping for it is short runs and factory piping. I was just wondering if I’m loosing velocity over long run causing poor oil reclaim from evap. I’m not sure about prior failures. Customer does their own PM’s I’m told. Don’t know if oil has been changed or added but I will ask next time on site but I’m sure I already know the answer.

[ehsx]

Feel the line from the inductor to the sump, line temp should give an indication if returning.

The older machines used to have a sight glass in the inductor lines so you could see flow.

[ehsx]

9. SYMPTOM: OIL PRESSURE SYSTEM CEASES TO RETURN AN OIL/REFRIGERANT SAMPLE
Oil refrigerant return not functioning.
Filter-drier in oil return Replace old filter-drier with new.
system dirty.

Jet or orifice of oil return Remove jet, inspect for dirt. Remove
jet clogged. dirt using solvent and replace

[chillrdude]

What was the problem the customer had you out to look at?

[jayguy]

gotta love the oil level in the evaporator!

[Chev5372]

Make sure the solenoid valve for the educator is energized. An easy tell when the chiller is on line for a bit , half hour or more, the oil sump next to the oil return from gear case should be cold. Maybe sweating if the mechanical room is humid. The actual educator is buried in the back of the oil sump.
Check the angle valves someone may have left them closed.


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[WrenchTRNR]

Thanks all for the replies. The original call was for another chiller. I was just being nosey and checking out their other equipment when I noticed this. I’m due to go back by there sometime next week to check on a rental that was installed. Ill check the eductor then. Thanks again

[Bklyntek]

Yeah, that is more than likely all oil that’s in the evap sight glass. I can expand the picture enough to detect its color. It appears to be all oil. It be interesting to learn why this was done. Keep us posted.

[71CHOPS]

Nice thought, those filters are in aboutbthw stupidest place possible.

I would also focus on the solenoid. If that's working, could be the line length.

There's not much pressure difference between the evap. And sump, to get things moving.