Air Conditioning - Evaporator Coil frozen
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MikeA4SWA
06-11-07, 06:22 PM
A/C was running fine for the last week. Just got recharged with refrigerant.
Large copper line outside was frozen, took off the cover to the evaporator and coils were all frozen.
How can I check for a leak in the evaporator coils?
OR (hopefully)
Do they just need to be cleaned?
Sorry for all the questions?
Large copper line outside was frozen, took off the cover to the evaporator and coils were all frozen.
How can I check for a leak in the evaporator coils?
OR (hopefully)
Do they just need to be cleaned?
Sorry for all the questions?
MikeA4SWA
06-11-07, 07:03 PM
Y'all probably think I'm crazy with all the posts but I like to find out how things work.
So the Evap is freezing up. Got a refrigerant recharge, new filter, cleaned condensor coils.
Looks like Evap coils need cleaning (I don't think they have in 7 years), and I went down to see how they were "melting" and it looks like the drain pipe is backed up. about 1/2" of water in the bottom of the "evap case". The drain is a small PVC Pipe that comes out of the corner of the evap and runs directly into the floor. Looks like this is blocked somewhere. could that make the evap freeze up too? I would assume so because of the water build up. In which case I need to clean out the drain. Which leads me to another problem, the PVC runs straight into the basement floor to the drain, can a DIY'er like me take out that PVC and replace it, I'm fairly confident with plain pipes LOL.
So the Evap is freezing up. Got a refrigerant recharge, new filter, cleaned condensor coils.
Looks like Evap coils need cleaning (I don't think they have in 7 years), and I went down to see how they were "melting" and it looks like the drain pipe is backed up. about 1/2" of water in the bottom of the "evap case". The drain is a small PVC Pipe that comes out of the corner of the evap and runs directly into the floor. Looks like this is blocked somewhere. could that make the evap freeze up too? I would assume so because of the water build up. In which case I need to clean out the drain. Which leads me to another problem, the PVC runs straight into the basement floor to the drain, can a DIY'er like me take out that PVC and replace it, I'm fairly confident with plain pipes LOL.
sgthvac
06-11-07, 07:10 PM
A/C was running fine for the last week. Just got recharged with refrigerant.
How can I check for a leak in the evaporator coils?
OR (hopefully)
Do they just need to be cleaned?.......
If you just had the system recharged you more than likely have a leak. As a diy'er you can leak search using soap bubbles, but it takes time and patience.
Yes, the coil and filter could be dirty, the blower motor could also be bad(you didn't mention if it was running).
How old is your system? If over 10 yrs old you may want to consider replacing your system or at least compare the cost of repair to replacement.
How can I check for a leak in the evaporator coils?
OR (hopefully)
Do they just need to be cleaned?.......
If you just had the system recharged you more than likely have a leak. As a diy'er you can leak search using soap bubbles, but it takes time and patience.
Yes, the coil and filter could be dirty, the blower motor could also be bad(you didn't mention if it was running).
How old is your system? If over 10 yrs old you may want to consider replacing your system or at least compare the cost of repair to replacement.
Ed Imeduc
06-11-07, 08:11 PM
Use a shop Vac to suck and blow in the condensate line to clean it. If you have to cut the PVC some where .Clean it out and just use a coupling to put it back. ;)
MikeA4SWA
06-12-07, 06:01 PM
Well, cleaned the evap coils. Worked great, only problem the evap coils froze better than before LOL.
I'm going to clean out the drain tomorrow and check the inside fan. If that doesn't work time to call the tech :(
I'm going to clean out the drain tomorrow and check the inside fan. If that doesn't work time to call the tech :(
mattison
06-13-07, 05:54 AM
Sounds like you have a refrigerant leak.
jim-connor
06-13-07, 09:02 AM
I agree, sounds like a freon leak. Freeze up is a classic symptom. If it leaks down that fast, you may be able to hear the leak if there is no background noise and you have good ears.
The clogged drain will not cause a freeze up. It needs to be blown out as Ed mentioned.
The clogged drain will not cause a freeze up. It needs to be blown out as Ed mentioned.