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Leaking evaporator coil Howard Beale 09-01-2006
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Posted by Howard Beale on September 1, 2006, 11:13 am
I got a tech out to do a leak search on my circa-2000 R-410a system (have
needed 2 recharges this summer) and he detected a leak in the evaporator
coil (he was using some Johnson Controls sniffer).

The coil was labeled with some application labels and one line read
"Refrigerent: R22". I asked the tech about it and he said he didn't think
it was right; after a couple of calls, there was some difference of opinion
among his supervisors about whether it should be replaced at no cost because
it was the wrong part.

One of the tech's supervisors said there's a regulator fitting just in front
of the supply side of the coil that could be swapped out, making the coil
suitable for use with R-410a. Another reference said that this coil was
pressure-tested for R-410a pressures and should be OK (I think the pressure
testing number on the coil label was 450psi).

Is it possible to make a valid case that some corner was cut and an
inappropriate or inferior part was used when the system was installed? Or
are they right and the coil was an acceptable part when installed?

I'm ever-so-slightly out of warranty, and if there's a reasonable argument
to made that a bad/wrong/less-than-durable part was used in place of a more
technically correct or durable part, it'd probably not cost me anything or
just some percentage of the replacement coil price.



Posted by Noon-Air on September 1, 2006, 11:31 am

>I got a tech out to do a leak search on my circa-2000 R-410a system (have
>needed 2 recharges this summer) and he detected a leak in the evaporator
>coil (he was using some Johnson Controls sniffer).
>
> The coil was labeled with some application labels and one line read
> "Refrigerent: R22". I asked the tech about it and he said he didn't
> think it was right; after a couple of calls, there was some difference of
> opinion among his supervisors about whether it should be replaced at no
> cost because it was the wrong part.
>
> One of the tech's supervisors said there's a regulator fitting just in
> front of the supply side of the coil that could be swapped out, making the
> coil suitable for use with R-410a. Another reference said that this coil
> was pressure-tested for R-410a pressures and should be OK (I think the
> pressure testing number on the coil label was 450psi).
>
> Is it possible to make a valid case that some corner was cut and an
> inappropriate or inferior part was used when the system was installed? Or
> are they right and the coil was an acceptable part when installed?
>
> I'm ever-so-slightly out of warranty, and if there's a reasonable argument
> to made that a bad/wrong/less-than-durable part was used in place of a
> more technically correct or durable part, it'd probably not cost me
> anything or just some percentage of the replacement coil price.

The correct coil should have been installed in the first place... and there
are a couple of manufacturers that have had a problem with leaky coils...
Carrier comes to mind........



Posted by Howard Beale on September 1, 2006, 11:44 am


> The correct coil should have been installed in the first place... and
> there are a couple of manufacturers that have had a problem with leaky
> coils... Carrier comes to mind........

Since I'm a data networking guy and not an HVAC guy, can you explain why the
R22 coil was a wrong part? Is it merely operating pressure, or is the gas
somehow corrosive/reactive to joints or some other reason beyond "it's the
wrong part" -- it's pretty easy for them to say "with a flux capacitor, it
works with R-410a" or "it's pressure tested to R410-a levels".

I don't necessarily need to be an expert, but I need to at least sound as if
I know enough about why it was the wrong part that they're better off
arguing with someone else.



Posted by Bob Pietrangelo on September 1, 2006, 4:02 pm
Alot of manufacturers are going to a single coil for R22 and R410A. The
coils should have no problem handling either pressure. They are doing this
to reduce warehouse space since the inception of 13 SEER and the extra space
requirements for the same # of units. When you order a coil, you will order
a coil and a matching TXV for your application.

--
Bob Pietrangelo
bobp3@comcast.net
bob@comfort-solution.biz
www.comfort-solution.biz
On Time or Your Service Call is FREE
Preventive Maintenance Specialist




>
>
>> The correct coil should have been installed in the first place... and
>> there are a couple of manufacturers that have had a problem with leaky
>> coils... Carrier comes to mind........
>
> Since I'm a data networking guy and not an HVAC guy, can you explain why
> the R22 coil was a wrong part? Is it merely operating pressure, or is the
> gas somehow corrosive/reactive to joints or some other reason beyond "it's
> the wrong part" -- it's pretty easy for them to say "with a flux
> capacitor, it works with R-410a" or "it's pressure tested to R410-a
> levels".
>
> I don't necessarily need to be an expert, but I need to at least sound as
> if I know enough about why it was the wrong part that they're better off
> arguing with someone else.
>



Posted by PrecisionMachinisT on September 2, 2006, 12:48 am

> Alot of manufacturers are going to a single coil for R22 and R410A. The
> coils should have no problem handling either pressure. They are doing
this
> to reduce warehouse space since the inception of 13 SEER and the extra
space
> requirements for the same # of units. When you order a coil, you will
order
> a coil and a matching TXV for your application.
>

So...your saying that the refrigeant doesn't give a rats ass as to the coil
manufacture / materials, etc....so long as it can take the pressure...

Now who woulda guessed ?

--

SVL





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