any AC/Refrigeration people here?

[PlatinumGold]

i have a Central AC with an compressor and condensor coil outside (nothing unusual about that), but my cooling sux right now.

its too warm inside. i checked the compresser/condensor unit and on the pipe that sends the freon BACK to the evaporator coil, there is a 4 inch long 3 inch deep block of ice. i checked all the other units and this is not typical.

what could be causing this? would a hole in the pipe cause this? is there just a lack of freon? or too much?

any help would be appreciated.

 

[dartworth]

Dirty coils, or low on the refer

 

[onza]

yah too much ice is not a good sign, my dad knows the reason to that but hes gone at the moment

but dirty coil is one thing and ______ i dunno off hand.

 

[flot]

There is a VERY active A/C forum called HVAC Talk - do a search for it and I'm sure someone there will have an answer for your question within hours.

 

[sharkeeper]

Are you sure the line going TO the evaporator is iced up? This is your liquid line (downstream from the condensor) and leads to the expansion valve. The line should be warm and then be immediately cold following the expansion valve which is attached to the evaporator coil in the air handler. If you have ice on the liquid line, follow it back to the restriction. Most likely there is a drier that is clogged up or you have a pinched line.

Cheers!

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: flot
There is a VERY active A/C forum called HVAC Talk - do a search for it and I'm sure someone there will have an answer for your question within hours.

Link to HVAC - Talk

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: shuttleteam
Are you sure the line going TO the evaporator is iced up? This is your liquid line (downstream from the condensor) and leads to the expansion valve. The line should be warm and then be immediately cold following the expansion valve which is attached to the evaporator coil in the air handler. If you have ice on the liquid line, follow it back to the restriction. Most likely there is a drier that is clogged up or you have a pinched line.

Cheers!

YOU are right. the only reason i thought it might be the line to the condensor coil was because neither line was hot. i always thought one of the lines was supposed to be very hot.

anyway, it was the bigger of the two lines and it was insulated.

as to the dirty coils response. is it the condensor coils or the evaporator coils that are dirty?

 

[NascarFool]

Turn the A/C off and turn the fan ON. There are three things that cause an a/c to freeze up.

Causes:
1. Loss of refrigerant.
2. Loss of air flow.
3. Leaving thermostat to low overnight.

Cures:
First off, it needs to be thawed out. Put the FAN switch on the thermostat in the ON position. Turn the Cool/Heat switch to the OFF position. Let it run two to six hours. The ice will melt off the lines and condensing unit right away but that does not mean the indoor coil has thawed.
After the unit has completely thawed, check the filter in the furnace. Also look at the blower wheel. You should check the air filter at least once a month. If the filter and blower wheel are clean, there's a good chance that #1 or #3 is the problem.
After you have checked the above, turn the a/c back on. Let it run for about five minutes. Feel the suction line (large insulated line) at the condensing unit. Just slide the line insulation bask to expose the copper line. If the line feels warm or slightly cool, it is most likely low on refrigerant. If the line is cold and wet, it is working. The line will normally run about 45ºF but that temperature will vary depending on the indoor temp and the outdoor temp. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. (I am an EPA Certified HVAC tech, 11 years now)

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: NascarFool
Turn the A/C off and turn the fan ON. There are three things that cause an a/c to freeze up.

Causes:
1. Loss of refrigerant.
2. Loss of air flow.
3. Leaving thermostat to low overnight.

Cures:
First off, it needs to be thawed out. Put the FAN switch on the thermostat in the ON position. Turn the Cool/Heat switch to the OFF position. Let it run two to six hours. The ice will melt off the lines and condensing unit right away but that does not mean the indoor coil has thawed.
After the unit has completely thawed, check the filter in the furnace. Also look at the blower wheel. You should check the air filter at least once a month. If the filter and blower wheel are clean, there's a good chance that #1 or #3 is the problem.
After you have checked the above, turn the a/c back on. Let it run for about five minutes. Feel the suction line (large insulated line) at the condensing unit. Just slide the line insulation bask to expose the copper line. If the line feels warm or slightly cool, it is most likely low on refrigerant. If the line is cold and wet, it is working. The line will normally run about 45ºF but that temperature will vary depending on the indoor temp and the outdoor temp. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. (I am an EPA Certified HVAC tech, 11 years now)

Certified HVAC tech? Move to Texas and you'll be rich