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Posted by Bubba on July 11, 2007, 4:21 pm
wrote:
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >> > I have a 9 yr old Amana 4 ton 12 seer unit on my 9 yr old house in
>> >> > Houston TX. Yes, we use the AC nearly year-round so down here they
>> >> > seem to have a 10-15 year life span from what people tell me.
>>
>> >> > Mine is having kicking off problems where it stops before the
>> >> > requested amount of cooling. I replaced the computer thermostat with
>> >> > the original manual one and tested to see if the therm was the
>> >> > problem, which it was not. So, then I called a company a neighbor
>> >> > recommended and the tech appeared to be well trained and did many
>> >> > tests, found the systems (upper level was not giving any issue) to
>> >> > both be 2lbs low on coolant gas which he added. He also indicated the
>> >> > blower motor was over-amping and was having trouble starting. He
>> >> > replaced the starter capacitor but it still has trouble starting. He
>> >> > tested for leaks around the evaporator using a sniffer and found
>> >> > none. The house air handlers (is that what they are called?) pressure
>> >> > drop across the evaporator was found to be ok, and other tests he
>> >> > performed.
>>
>> >> > He recommended cleaning the condenser fins, and replacing the blower
>> >> > motor. The cost for the new blower motor was $500+ including labor.
>> >> > Having purchased a new 1hp 115v TEFC motor for my bandsaw for little
>> >> > over $100, I was wondering how this motor could cost so much to
>> >> > replace. I told them thanks for the good work but I wanted to get
>> >> > another estimate.
>>
>> >> > FYI - The tech charged us over $300 for the testing, service call and
>> >> > charging of the freon, so I'm not against paying for the work that was
>> >> > performed by a knowledable tech.
>>
>> >> > FYI part 2: I'm a homeowner, not a HVAC trained tech, but I have
>> >> > extensive experience with various repairs and can easily turn off the
>> >> > power and physically replace the motor. I have re-wired an entire
>> >> > house including 220v appliances, piped in natural gas lines to
>> >> > appliances and water heaters, re-done a house's entire plumbing system
>> >> > (this is also called buying the wrong house to fix up, but that's
>> >> > another story), and more. In my spare time I build furniture and
>> >> > repair cars, so I think I'm able to swap parts now that the
>> >> > diagnostics have been done.
>>
>> >> > My questions are:
>>
>> >> > * Is this estimate out of line for replacing the blower motor?
>>
>> >> > * Where can I get a Amana condenser blower motor for my unit so I can
>> >> > replace it myself?
>>
>> >> > * I see on Ebay some blower motors for less than $100 (item
>> >> > #170128953740). After searching this group and reading on replacing
>> >> > motors I'm aware of the need for careful matching of direction, size
>> >> > and amp draw. If I can find one that matches the HP, direction, shaft
>> >> > dia and amp rating, wouldn't that work?
>>
>> >> > * What is the best way to clean the condenser fins? I am planning on
>> >> > turning off the power to the unit and opening it up, spraying a simple
>> >> > green and water solution, letting it soak a minute and then using a
>> >> > garden hose to spray through it from the inside out (reverse flow for
>> >> > my unit).
>>
>> >> > I can handle the flamers if some of you can provide me good
>> >> > information.
>>
>> >> > Thanks in advance - Scott
>>
>> >> So the $500 motor replacement also included cleaning the condenser?
>>
>> >> I guess it's $500 because the tech knows WHICH motor to purchase and WHERE
>> >> to purchase it.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> >> - Show quoted text -
>>
>> >Thanks for the smartalec response, and no, it did not include
>> >cleaning. Perhaps someone will provide some useful information
>> >relating to my problem.
>> >I can (if I can get the guy to answer his phone) have my wife's
>> >friend's husband who is a HVAC tech and has his own company to either
>> >replace it for me or source the part, but if I can do this w/o
>> >bothering him during busy season so much the better. He didn't feel
>> >like coming down to diagnose the problem (even when we insisted on
>> >paying for it) - which I totally understood given he's on the other
>> >end of town 30 miles away.
>>
>> Boo Hoo Hoo. You're a tight ass homemoaner and you think it should be
>> free. Whaa-Whaa-Whaa.
>> You say you can easily do it yourself BUT
>> You dont know if what he quoted is "out of line"
>> You dont know where to get an Amana condenser motor
>> You saw a motor for less than $100 on E-bay but dont know if its right
>> You dont know how to clean a condenser
>> You say you can handle the flamers but you get pissy with them
>> You replace the thermostat thinking that was your problem
>> You want to replace your motor with a band saw motor
>> Your wifes friends husband wont even call you back because you are
>> such a POS PITA!
>> You're a whiner. If it were so easy we would all be rocket scientists.
>> Now go away.
>> Bubba- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>Just the response I expected having trolled through this group!
>(GRIN)
>Go back to watching the bug zapper Bubba, if you're qualified to do
>that!
Thats my typical response for tight-ass dip-shits like yourself. While
you're out buying that motor you might wanna spring for two of them
since you seem to be so intent on "cramming it full of oil". Hopefully
you got a quart in each oil port. THey need lots of oil to run
efficiently.
By the way..........my system is running perfectly and efficiently.
It's very cool and dehumidified in here with the recent hot and muggy
spell.
Looks like you might need a bug zapper too. My bug zapper is also
working quite well, thank you.
Bubba
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