A/C lines sweat inside furnace room, Not cooling!

[kkanuck]

Hello,

It is my first post, but I have learned lots here already by reading tons.

I am wondering if anyone may have insight on my issue. I am an electrician, so troubleshooting is my pastime.

My AC unit started to act up a month ago, and then fixed itself, or so I thought. On very Humid days it seems, the copper lines running from the condensor in the furnace to the outside compressor are sweating, and dripping with water inside the furnace room before the pipe goes outside to the compressor. Pipes are insulated and all, but it still sweats. I also hear a gurgling sould from the pipes. The furnace blower fan will be on, running, yet I feel no air flow at the ducts of the house. Outside compressor also is running.
The last time this happened, I turned the system off for 24 hours, the humidity passed, and when I turned it back on, it worked like normal.
Now, another very humid day, and a month later, the same syptoms have reappeared.

Can anyone shed any light what these syptoms may point to? My furnace and A/C are about 15 years old, and are ready for new soon, however, if I can extend this a little further on the cheap, I would not say no.

Maybe a charge of freon, a capacitor, or bigger issues perhaps???

Thanks in advance for any tips,

[Grady]

My knee jerk reaction would be you are low on refrigerant but it could also be an airflow issue. Check the filter(s), fan, & indoor coil to be sure they are all clean.

[mattison]

So it works good when it's not humid?

You do have a clean filter and all right?

[kkanuck]

Thanks for the replys guys.

I just pulled the tin cover on the condenser so I could have a look inside, and the coils (copper u shaped tubes) are frozen over.

Does this mean anything in particular?

Thanks again

[kkanuck]

My filter looked a little dirty, last changed about 6 month ago, I will try that first thing in the morning.

Did not look terrible, but could use changing. I will know tomorrow.

Cheers,

[kkanuck]

Is there a way to get to the inside condenssor without cutting the drain and coolant pipes?

It seems the only panel that is removable to get to the condensor coil is the one with the holes through it with these pipes (drain and coolant) passing through it and then hooking up to the condensor.

Thanks Again,

[mattison]

It's actually the evaporator your looking at.

Whatever you do don't cut the refrigerant lines. If you can get the panel loose except for where the lines are just use a set of snips and cut the panel so you can get it off.

[kkanuck]

Thanks Matheson,

I did not bother to take it off, nor did I damage the pipes. I just pryed it open enough to see that the EVAPORATOR (sorry) was frozen over, so I am leaving the fan on only all night, replacing the filter tomorrow, and see what transpires, unless you think it is something definite based on the freezing, but from what I have gathered here in the forum, it can be due to an air flow issue.

See what happens tomorrow, hopefully good news.

Thanks for the tips,

[kkanuck]

Sorry, Mattison!

[mattison]

I didn't understand the sorry post till a light bulb lit up. :D I have fat fingers and misspell all the time no problem.

You're on the right track on your thinking.

[kkanuck]

Well,

I am happy to report, after changing the air filter, and allowing the ice to melt on the evaporator by runnin the fan all night....unit has now run all day, brought the temp down to 75, and is running like a race horse...

Lines are not sweating anymore either.

The test will be to see if this lasts, but so far, it has been running 7 hours, no troubles.

Thanks for the info again, very helpful. I now know what to look for the next time.

Cheers,

[Ed Imeduc]

At 15 years old you might want to check the blower there and see that the blades on the wheel are clean.There is a cup to them and they do fill up with dirt sometimes That can cut down on air it puts out for sure . If you are going 6 months on a filter Id check it and also might clean the A coil inside there . New filter every 30 to 90 days helps

ED ;)