HVAC guys, need some advice...

[DaveJ]

Hello all,

I rarely create new threads, but I know there are some experienced HVAC guys here and I need some advice. Long story short... I broke my AC last Wednesday. Frown I was cleaning out the condensate drain line and while fiddling with it the PVC pipe broke off right at the air handler. When it broke off it left half of a broken stub behind, so it's not really simple to repair.

My regular AC guy was booked solid last week, and the guy he referred me to said I could probably replace the drain pan to fix it. He has supposedly ordered the part, but has no idea when it will arrive due to a vendor "backlog". Meanwhile I'm limping the system along while I'm at home, draining the line with a length of hose into a bucket. It cools OK, but it's a PITA.

Having said all that, would it be worth replacing the entire system? The one I have now is a 19 year old Lennox heat pump with matching air handler inside. I've been planning on replacing it for a while, just not this year.

Would I see any major benefits by just getting a new system? My AC guy told me last year that newer units aren't that much more efficient than what I've got. On the other hand, I can handle the financial hit, and it would be nice to have the peace of mind of a new system.

I'm pretty sure my guy deals mainly with Bryant and maybe a few other brands... are there any issues to look for with specific brands? My house is approx. 1600sqft, and I have no need for multiple zones or anything fancy. Last year he had quoted me a ballpark figure of about 4 grand to replace the system, which seems pretty reasonable. Any opinions? Thanks!

 

[imported_weadjust]

I would try to repair the broken piece using JB Weld. If that doesn't work your only out 5 bucks for the JB Weld.

 

[Howard]

You have a broken PVC pipe? That's it?

Have you got a picture of it?

 

[Ronstang]

Get the proper sized easy out from the hardware store and pull the broken part of the pipe out of the coil box...it should be threaded into that part. This is if I am not unclear as to the actual problem you are speaking about. Then all you would have to do is screw in a new adapter and add a section of plastic pipe and a coupler. You could fix this in under 30 minutes if it is the problem I am visualizing.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

19 years old? Efficiency has went up *alot* in 20 years.. Would probably only take you 3-4 years to start actually saving money on a new system.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Get the proper sized easy out from the hardware store and pull the broken part of the pipe out of the coil box...it should be threaded into that part. This is if I am not unclear as to the actual problem you are speaking about. Then all you would have to do is screw in a new adapter and add a section of plastic pipe and a coupler. You could fix this in under 30 minutes if it is the problem I am visualizing.

It should be possible to do this unless a knucklehead installer decided to use pvc cement on the male adapter threads. If the original drain had a P trap inline (internal drain pan in section of a/h under negative pressure) a hose may allow air to be drawn in hampering draining which may result in spillover of the tray causing a wet spot to develop around the bottom of the ahu.

This would be an easy fix for anyone handy that's for sure.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Howard
You have a broken PVC pipe? That's it?

Have you got a picture of it?

agree. If this is just a broken PVC pipe it should cost less than $20 to fix (assuming a very long piece is needed).

Is this just hte drain for condensation that forms?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
19 years old? Efficiency has went up *alot* in 20 years.. Would probably only take you 3-4 years to start actually saving money on a new system.

you still have to have the money to spend. Sort of like someone that shares a vehicle with someone, having your own would be better...but it's not always in the cards.

without pics of the damage though this thread is worthless.

if the pvc pipe was the drain (I am assuming it is)...it shouldn't be difficult even with a stub to attach to it. You are merely trying to drain out the water that collects...it's not rocket science.

Cut it smooth...add a couple couplers and some pipe. Have a :beer:

edit...btw what is the seer/eer/rating of your current unit? being 20 years old I don't know how any 'ac guy' can say it's as efficient as today's models. I bought a top of the line about 10 years ago and it's no where near the top now.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Get the proper sized easy out from the hardware store and pull the broken part of the pipe out of the coil box...it should be threaded into that part. This is if I am not unclear as to the actual problem you are speaking about. Then all you would have to do is screw in a new adapter and add a section of plastic pipe and a coupler. You could fix this in under 30 minutes if it is the problem I am visualizing.

It should be possible to do this unless a knucklehead installer decided to use pvc cement on the male adapter threads. If the original drain had a P trap inline (internal drain pan in section of a/h under negative pressure) a hose may allow air to be drawn in hampering draining which may result in spillover of the tray causing a wet spot to develop around the bottom of the ahu.

This would be an easy fix for anyone handy that's for sure.

I think that's essentially what they did. There is not much to attach a new pipe to because the old one broke off inside the air handler. Most of the broken part is still attached to the PVC drain line. The original drain does have a P trap.

Is this just hte drain for condensation that forms?

Yes, it's the condensate drain.

I also have no idea what the SEER rating is, but it's a pretty decent system. Sorry about the lack of pics, but my camera is on the fritz.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Get the proper sized easy out from the hardware store and pull the broken part of the pipe out of the coil box...it should be threaded into that part. This is if I am not unclear as to the actual problem you are speaking about. Then all you would have to do is screw in a new adapter and add a section of plastic pipe and a coupler. You could fix this in under 30 minutes if it is the problem I am visualizing.

It should be possible to do this unless a knucklehead installer decided to use pvc cement on the male adapter threads. If the original drain had a P trap inline (internal drain pan in section of a/h under negative pressure) a hose may allow air to be drawn in hampering draining which may result in spillover of the tray causing a wet spot to develop around the bottom of the ahu.

This would be an easy fix for anyone handy that's for sure.

I think that's essentially what they did. There is not much to attach a new pipe to because the old one broke off inside the air handler. Most of the broken part is still attached to the PVC drain line. The original drain does have a P trap.

Is this just hte drain for condensation that forms?

Yes, it's the condensate drain.

I also have no idea what the SEER rating is, but it's a pretty decent system. Sorry about the lack of pics, but my camera is on the fritz.

Start a thread about your camera next... For now, I'd see about doing JB KWIK if you can fit the pipe back in there. Assuming you shut the system down and can take some compressed air in there to dry the pipe fittings, you should be able to stick the pipe back together and get it to hold....it takes 4 minutes to set.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
19 years old? Efficiency has went up *alot* in 20 years.. Would probably only take you 3-4 years to start actually saving money on a new system.

you still have to have the money to spend. Sort of like someone that shares a vehicle with someone, having your own would be better...but it's not always in the cards.

without pics of the damage though this thread is worthless.

if the pvc pipe was the drain (I am assuming it is)...it shouldn't be difficult even with a stub to attach to it. You are merely trying to drain out the water that collects...it's not rocket science.

Cut it smooth...add a couple couplers and some pipe. Have a :beer:

edit...btw what is the seer/eer/rating of your current unit? being 20 years old I don't know how any 'ac guy' can say it's as efficient as today's models. I bought a top of the line about 10 years ago and it's no where near the top now.

Where did I say he needed to go by one? I was simply stating that the unit is inefficient and getting a new unit could probably recoup its cost in saved electrical bills within 3-4 years.

Since I could assume you were making the car comment to me, we bought a single vehicle so it could be more luxurious. It had far more to do with personal choice than means.