Carrier AC problems
Hi. I have a Carrier a/c unit that is about 5 years old in Florida. It was put in when the house was built new. About 3 months ago, my A/C and heat pump were working just fine. It was cooling on the hot days, and heating on the few cool nights we have. Then, we had a big power surge/outage and that day when it came back on, there was no cool air. I checked all the fuses and transfromer and all looked good. I shut off the breakers for about an hour, then turned everything back on. The compressor came on with the fan (outside) as did the squirrel fan in the air handler, although it wouldn't cool. I eventually thought the thermostat got blown out, so I replaced it. At that point, the cool air came on. Then, the weather turned cold again and was running the heater for about a week. Then, it got hot again and I turned on the A/C (cool) and no cold air. The big copper line was not cold, even though the compressor was running. I even tried putting the old thermostat back on. After many hours searching, I ended up calling the original installer company and the guy came out and said it was out of refrigerant. Just like that, it was cooling, then gone! He showed me that it was low with the gauges, so I paid to have it refilled...it needed 6 pounds of R22!!! He said it'll cost another $200 to search for a leak, then the price to fix it. I opted for the coolant since I thought it was strange that it all leaked out mysteriously after a power surge. So, it was cooling just fine after his visit. I watched it every day for 2 months and it was working great. The big copper line was always really cold, the smaller one was always warm, and the outdoor fan seemed to be always blowing warm air. Then, just the other day, another power surge/outage while I was at home during the day. Now, once again, after the A/C started back up, there was no cool air blowing. Just room temperature air and the house would not cool. It was increasing in heat quickly. I turned off the breakers and let it sit for 1 hour, then back on. No cold air!!! But, the fans and compressor were all working. But, the copper lines were not cold or hot. Nothing. Then, the air handler coils froze so I shut it down for a day. I tried running the heat, then off, then cool. Nothing. I'm dreading having to call service again just for them to tell me it needs refridgerant again. I can't believe there is a leak that only appears after a power event, but am afraid that that is what a tech is going to say...especially at $20/lb of freon plus leak detection. Does anyone know if it could be a stuck valve somewhere? I've already cleaned the coils, changed the filters, did all the basics, but I'm getting nowhere. I even removed the thermostat and directly connected the cool circuit, but get nothing. Thanks in advance for any help in this matter. Steve in Florida. Steve, if it truly was low on refrigerant then there is a leak and the power outage/surge may be coincidental. The only way to know is to have a leak search done. The I present this to my clients is that the system doesn't use refrigerant like a engine can use oil. If it missing we have to find out where the leak is. Maybe you can work out a deal like I do with my clients : The charge for the leak search is X amount......IF you do the necessary repair I will put the amount payed for the leak search towards the repair. The problem with a leaks search is that it can be very time consuming and is worth every penny as far as I'm concerned Thanks for the response. Yes, I could probably work a deal with a tech. There seems to be a lot of AC guys around. But, I just find it odd that the 2 times it stopped working was directly after power outages/surges. The first time it happened, I thought it was coincidence. The second time it happened, it was working and cooling the minutes before the outage, then not after. I'm talking within minutes of each both times. It was cooling at 75-76 degrees leading up to the outage, then no cooling after the power came back on. Immediately going to 80 degrees after. I am a computer repair tech (for over 21 years) and have seen behavior like this with PC's/software and power, which is why I suspect something like this. Maybe like a stuck relay or something? Something strange here. Power problem should not cause leak. I can not think of any reason that will happen this way. If you refill the system and it can run for 2 months, that means there is no leak (no big one to cause the whole thing changed in minutes anyway. and lost 6lb freon in a few minutes, no way). So, let's think about this more, don't refill the system yet. May be other posters can come up some ideas. well, correct there is also another issue. The main thing I was talking about was your first leak. You said the compressor is running.... are you sure it is running and not only the fan in the outdoor unit? Can you remove your electrical panel on the HP? look for the capacitor possibly being swelled. The reversing valve may be stuck as well. try switching to heat and then to cooling. OK, I checked everything out. I verified that the compressor is coming on. It makes a distinct humming sound, like my other unit. I even took the capacitor in to my local parts shop for a test. It tested out perfect. The contactor is working OK too. I can watch it cycle when it's supposed to. So, I decided to go buy a leak detector. I figured it was less than paying the $90 for the leak test. Checked everywhere outside and all is good. Then, opened up air handler and found what appeared to be condensation around what appears to be a valve. It is some type of cooling line distribution thingy (I know, not very technical), but has a lot of very small copper lines running out of it. Sure enough, the liquid is setting of the detector alarm! The entire area comes back good, then beeps when about 1/4 inch from the liquid. I also put the detector in the drain line (without touching anything) and it beeps. So, looks like I found the problem!!! I hope. Just strange that it held originally for 5 years, then another 2 months on a refill. And, both times it stopped working was after power outs. So, does anyone know how hard that is to sweat? Or, can that be done? I really I hope I don't have to replace the entire Thanks for all the great help. get a new coil. or depending on where the actual leak is try tightening the nut on the metering device distributor. I do not recommend BRAZING this area! Again, brazing.... not sweating. Big difference. Glad to hear that you found the leak. but that coil is not a DIY item whether you fix it or get a new one. time to call a A/C tech. (but why stop working only after power outage ??)
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