It truly is refreshing to see an experienced technician give a real picture start to finish of this type of job. Homeowners can start to get a true picture of what it takes to repair an AC unit and may come to appreciate and understand when they get the bill they receive
Great job Curtis, I had a feeling from the start it was the TXV. Didn’t make sense that pressures were fine in one direction but not the other. It’s great to see a full video from diagnostic to repair. Thank you!
Third times a charm (or was it fourth lol) on that filter drier with no bleep bleep bleeps either. Appreciate the fact you keep your videos real and don't edit out things like that. Most of us human. Great video Curtis and keepem' coming.
Just did the same job this past weekend . Bad check valve in the TXV . normal pressures in cool mode but head pressures would shoot up in heat mode causing the system to short cyle .
Curtis, bend the tube where is goes into the vertical so it will have a natural draw into the filter. I would have attached the TXV to the filter first out in the open area. Then I only make two connections in the confined area.
Yea, was going to say same thing. Spring the copper / bend it on the vertical portion so it has a tendency to pull into drier. A few other tricks are: 1) use a small bungee cord to keep tension pulling inward while welding. 2) have also used a black strap that u can find in supply houses for tiring down stuff. 3) also like u said - I would have made up the txv & filter drier assy. For min welding inside the unit. 4) another trick - is use white brazing flux on joints before removal for clean removal.
You should’ve been running silver solder number eight specially, for the TXV so you’ll have to burn. It is hot and ruined. The TXV that’s all I use anymore. I don’t even brezs that much anymore
Great tutorial on a difficult diagnosis. I doubt the customer realizes all you had to suffer through to figure this one out. Your attention to detail and determination to do a top quality job are a standard that others should strive to achieve.
im so happy that you make these videos i learn alot from them being a new tech in the industry. my gut when you were switching between cooling and heating was that it was a reversing valve issue. im glad i watched this video to open my eyes to really look at every possible option. clogged txv in one direction would not have been on my radar prior to watching this.
I appreciate the issues that you had and everyone else has had and you keeping 💯 ah to hell with that Im too old to talk like that I appreciare you showing everything we go thru as technicians
Very nice. I wondered if perhaps the reversing valve was where the obstruction might be since it seemed okay when cooling, but this looks like a "all's well that ends well" job.
1:16 Okay I have to confess I didn't have time to watch the entire video I had to fast forward a little bit about halfway through it. I personally think that I would have grabbed a recovery tank before I did anything else along with my scale and tried recovering just a little that freon then check that head pressure.. I'm still wondering a little bit if it could have just been overcharged a little bit. Then again I may have missed something when I fast forwarded. I just figured you have nothing to lose by doing that first before you get into all that. I definitely would have tried that first but that's just me.
Hey Curtis, great work Sir. Question: what Vacuum pump did you used for this job site? Are you still using the M18 5cm Vacuum pump? Would you recommend M18 for daily use?
Can someone explain how a blockage at the expansion valve (pump down situation) allows normal suction running pressure... Then this mysterious floating restriction did exactly the same thing each and every time it changed from cool to heat.. pretty neat trick TBF.
Thats was a known issue with those series units. Rheem has replaced the TXVs under warranty. Rheem typically calls for adding acid nuetralizer to the refrigerant when replacing the TXV because of the issue.
Could not have better weather for that job! When the customer gets your bill I hope they know just how much work goes in to something this involved. My customers seem to think that $40/hour or less is fair! Pretty much anytime I get high head pressure in heat mode on a Rheem, I go straight to the TXV. They seem to be having a lot of failures in that area.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ. Curtis, pricing is great, videos are awesome, good troubleshooting skills, however, PLEASE have better hygiene for your refrigerant hoses. I've seen multiple videos where you just throw them on the ground and then dig the dirt out. Remember the old saying hospital operating room clean? HORC. I mean you really could be the reason why the next tech that comes by and thinks the refrigerant is low or it is low, and adds some refrigerant forcing in the dirt that you introduced into the system when you connected dirty hose connections. It's very very small orifices that can be fouled as you well know, so it doesn't take much. I've been a unlimited mechanical contractor for over 3 decades and taught refrigeration technology at two junior colleges so I am a little OCD LOL. Keep up the good work and thanks for the videos I'm retired and it makes me want to get back out in the field so for that I'm thankful that I can just watch it instead of actually really getting out there haha.
That is great work Curtis, need to show the teachers of the world this important concept of the two-system heat/cool to help the TEV/TXV to give understanding. By one clock 🕐
Job well done Curtis, TXV 's sometimes can be a bitch. Love the way they control load changes though. Keep up the good work. See you on the next one. 🥇🏆🙏🇺🇸
That’s cool. Seems like a solid setup. For some funny reason I was getting anxious when you were looking through that new bag and didn’t find a tool right away lol. Keep up the great videos. I look forward to them everyday.
I always anticipate the copper bouncing out of the fit, what a pain in the --. So I either use a tie wrap or some wire and pull pressure on it into the fit before sweating it in. Appreciate you keeping it real. Lol
Nice diagnosis and repair.... we have all been there with welding issues. You may have said what body cam you are using, but can you let me know? I really like it...
Just a thought. Putting back the Freon from the recovery tank into the system that had contaminates in it. Would it have been ok to filter that Freon to make sure it’s clean. ????
I was just wondering. Was there any way to filter the refrigerant as it was put into the recovery tank. You suspected something was clogging the line at the TXV when you reversed the flow.
How do you think dust from a dryer a could get into a close system? Honest question! I’ve been a working on a Coleman package unit that keeps going into high pressure lock out. Started with squirrel blowing into pieces replaced it then, to high pressure the compressor went out. Replaced compressor and outdoor txv and it happened again. It’s been to cold to run it in cooling..
Is there any way you can open up the system and force that out into a some type of a towel or rag or something and see what comes out and then revived it and then vac the system do what you have to do with the new dryer and and that TXV and tell me if if that can be done
Cooling head pressure was false... looking higher than it really is because condenser air is bypassing with door off. Heating head pressure just looks like an overcharge, or airflow restriction. Probably could fix it just by recovering and accurate weigh in. Either way. your repair method was a sure way to get results !! Great video in my opinion.
Curious as to why you suspected floaters in the freon system causing the possible issue and yet you reused the freon from the recovery bottle or did I miss something?
Thought it was air filter at 1st u never did show it did say air flow was good but didn't see t.d. then u tested ac mode seemed got me thinking liquid line dryer txv good job
@@harryschrysan3183 I know but it’s a heat pump package unit so I was wondering if the issue and replacement was caused by the “evap” txv or “condenser” txv
Sure hope you’ve learned to use thermo trap by now. I was a wee bit excited, you holding that kind of heat on the TXV ports. Even a wet rag would work in a pinch. One more thing, bend your pipe in a positive direction into the fitting before brazing. I learned the hard way, 40 some years ago. I’m not trying to beat you up, just passing on such info to a really good trouble shooter as yourself.
It's getting hot in here!! So take off all your clothes!! Haha just kidding, Well if the dryer and TXV aren't the problem, Then maybe the reversing valve took a dump.
I see what working for a company and working for your self can do. Working for a company you have to rope your tool bag up. With self employed you can carry it up 😂
Making this comment before watching the whole video. I'm thinking a dirty slammed restricted DIRTY Condenser Coil.Let's see.The Condenser Coil needs a Chemical foam wash with Nu Brite DEEP Cleaning treatment.
It truly is refreshing to see an experienced technician give a real picture start to finish of this type of job. Homeowners can start to get a true picture of what it takes to repair an AC unit and may come to appreciate and understand when they get the bill they receive
Great job Curtis, I had a feeling from the start it was the TXV. Didn’t make sense that pressures were fine in one direction but not the other. It’s great to see a full video from diagnostic to repair. Thank you!
Glad it helped
Third times a charm (or was it fourth lol) on that filter drier with no bleep bleep bleeps either. Appreciate the fact you keep your videos real and don't edit out things like that. Most of us human. Great video Curtis and keepem' coming.
Thanks
That was awesome. it seemed a lot more than 4 hours.
Another great video Curtis! I was wondering how long it was before you remembered the contactor control wire was off.
Just did the same job this past weekend . Bad check valve in the TXV . normal pressures in cool mode but head pressures would shoot up in heat mode causing the system to short cyle .
Curtis, bend the tube where is goes into the vertical so it will have a natural draw into the filter. I would have attached the TXV to the filter first out in the open area. Then I only make two connections in the confined area.
Yea, was going to say same thing. Spring the copper / bend it on the vertical portion so it has a tendency to pull into drier. A few other tricks are:
1) use a small bungee cord to keep tension pulling inward while welding.
2) have also used a black strap that u can find in supply houses for tiring down stuff.
3) also like u said - I would have made up the txv & filter drier assy. For min welding inside the unit.
4) another trick - is use white brazing flux on joints before removal for clean removal.
You should’ve been running silver solder number eight specially, for the TXV so you’ll have to burn. It is hot and ruined. The TXV that’s all I use anymore. I don’t even brezs that much anymore
I suspected the TXV as soon as you verified airflow, great job and keep on keeping it real it is appreciated.
What is temp difference on the filter drier.
Like seeing the full process. you never know when you run into a problem so its good to see you working through those
great work curtis
Thanks
I can relate to those refrigeration lines slipping out while brazing lol thanks for the video and great job
Great job Curtis.
Thanks
Great tutorial on a difficult diagnosis. I doubt the customer realizes all you had to suffer through to figure this one out. Your attention to detail and determination to do a top quality job are a standard that others should strive to achieve.
Great good call
Thanks Curtis this was a good one.
For a minute I thought you were working on a train unit. 😂 great job awesome work.
Thanks
im so happy that you make these videos i learn alot from them being a new tech in the industry. my gut when you were switching between cooling and heating was that it was a reversing valve issue. im glad i watched this video to open my eyes to really look at every possible option. clogged txv in one direction would not have been on my radar prior to watching this.
Great job Curtis good call and repair thanks for the video
Thanks 👍
I appreciate the issues that you had and everyone else has had and you keeping 💯 ah to hell with that Im too old to talk like that I appreciare you showing everything we go thru as technicians
Very nice. I wondered if perhaps the reversing valve was where the obstruction might be since it seemed okay when cooling, but this looks like a "all's well that ends well" job.
System seems like it has a check valve on both sides if not mistaken Curtis, it might be that also I’d have check temperature drop on those too
My first thought. Check temperatures for both the TXV and filter.
@@RobertTuck-vo8cw yup that also, process of elimination my guy well thought
Yes I agree.
1:16 Okay I have to confess I didn't have time to watch the entire video I had to fast forward a little bit about halfway through it. I personally think that I would have grabbed a recovery tank before I did anything else along with my scale and tried recovering just a little that freon then check that head pressure.. I'm still wondering a little bit if it could have just been overcharged a little bit. Then again I may have missed something when I fast forwarded. I just figured you have nothing to lose by doing that first before you get into all that. I definitely would have tried that first but that's just me.
It’s very good, that you’re saying what/why, you’re doing, and making the decisions, you’re making.
What ever was in there was definitely keeping the txv from doing its job in heat mode I wish I knew what was in there floating
Thanks I leaned something new always like seeing your videos.
Glad to help
Hey Curtis, great work Sir.
Question: what Vacuum pump did you used for this job site?
Are you still using the M18 5cm Vacuum pump?
Would you recommend M18 for daily use?
M18 is expensive and would’ve been a bad choice on this one
Can someone explain how a blockage at the expansion valve (pump down situation) allows normal suction running pressure...
Then this mysterious floating restriction did exactly the same thing each and every time it changed from cool to heat.. pretty neat trick TBF.
Nice job Curtis 👍
Great work!!!
Was your temp clamp opposite of filter txv side on cooling? was that correct
Well done Curtis, Please be careful with ladders and heights they can slide sideways so easy 😟 Au
Wow a long one, but a good one 👍👍👍
Hope you enjoyed it!
Thats was a known issue with those series units. Rheem has replaced the TXVs under warranty. Rheem typically calls for adding acid nuetralizer to the refrigerant when replacing the TXV because of the issue.
Could not have better weather for that job! When the customer gets your bill I hope they know just how much work goes in to something this involved. My customers seem to think that $40/hour or less is fair!
Pretty much anytime I get high head pressure in heat mode on a Rheem, I go straight to the TXV. They seem to be having a lot of failures in that area.
You will go broken at $40.00 an hour time you pay your overhead, you are paying them to work for them.
@@ThomasWalker-m2y The customer thinks it should be $40/hour but I still charge between $100-150 depending on the call.
Thanks!
Thanks
You’re welcome sir. Jesus Christ is Lord!
good video my friend
Great job,Curtis!
I had a lennox unit that had chunks of plastic in the liquid line once on a package unit!
I was wondering about the check valve in the TXV .....sticking?
Like your show. Interesting things to learn.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ.
Curtis, pricing is great, videos are awesome, good troubleshooting skills, however, PLEASE have better hygiene for your refrigerant hoses. I've seen multiple videos where you just throw them on the ground and then dig the dirt out. Remember the old saying hospital operating room clean? HORC. I mean you really could be the reason why the next tech that comes by and thinks the refrigerant is low or it is low, and adds some refrigerant forcing in the dirt that you introduced into the system when you connected dirty hose connections. It's very very small orifices that can be fouled as you well know, so it doesn't take much. I've been a unlimited mechanical contractor for over 3 decades and taught refrigeration technology at two junior colleges so I am a little OCD LOL. Keep up the good work and thanks for the videos I'm retired and it makes me want to get back out in the field so for that I'm thankful that I can just watch it instead of actually really getting out there haha.
That is great work Curtis, need to show the teachers of the world this important concept of the two-system heat/cool to help the TEV/TXV to give understanding. By one clock 🕐
Curious as to why the drier didn't catch whatever was floating around
whenever I do roof work, I always have help waiting on the ground
I know you aren’t using your leak detector in this video. I watched the video you destroyed the stratus. How do you like the JB prowler?
Not perfect, but it works
I suspected either overcharge or non-condensibles are in the system
An Hour + Service Call should Pay Next Months Mortgage. 😬👍🙏
Great video as usual!!!! Thanks!!! for sharing !!
Nice repair. Would be cool to slice one of those line dryers open to see what caused the blockage.
I bet the dessicant in that dryer is glad your done brazing lol
Commenting on having a blurry picture then straight into a Mr Clean ad. LOL
Job well done Curtis, TXV 's sometimes can be a bitch. Love the way they control load changes though. Keep up the good work. See you on the next one. 🥇🏆🙏🇺🇸
Did you switch back to your original veto bag?
Yes
That’s cool. Seems like a solid setup. For some funny reason I was getting anxious when you were looking through that new bag and didn’t find a tool right away lol. Keep up the great videos. I look forward to them everyday.
when ur compressor is still holding refrigerant in the oil tap around the base with a hammer 🔨 and it will speed up the recovery.
I always anticipate the copper bouncing out of the fit, what a pain in the --. So I either use a tie wrap or some wire and pull pressure on it into the fit before sweating it in. Appreciate you keeping it real. Lol
Respect
Just curious why you’d put recovered refrigerant in the system that could have been contaminated from the original problem? Nice video
Nice diagnosis and repair.... we have all been there with welding issues. You may have said what body cam you are using, but can you let me know? I really like it...
Just a thought. Putting back the Freon from the recovery tank into the system that had contaminates in it. Would it have been ok to filter that Freon to make sure it’s clean. ????
I've seen the yarn-like wicking from the compressor packing in orifices before
I was thinking a blockage but would it not make sense to running in heat just before removing txv to hopefully remove suspected debris in the txv 🤔
Did you take apart the TXV and check the screen.
I was just wondering. Was there any way to filter the refrigerant as it was put into the recovery tank. You suspected something was clogging the line at the TXV when you reversed the flow.
How do you think dust from a dryer a could get into a close system? Honest question! I’ve been a working on a Coleman package unit that keeps going into high pressure lock out. Started with squirrel blowing into pieces replaced it then, to high pressure the compressor went out. Replaced compressor and outdoor txv and it happened again. It’s been to cold to run it in cooling..
congrats you got the correct charge in it.. did you weigh it out? IT WAS OVERCHARGED thats all. restrictions cause LOW pressure
Some nice brazing. A great job as usual.
Thanks
Pretty good pressures what is the Freon?
Is there any way you can open up the system and force that out into a some type of a towel or rag or something and see what comes out and then revived it and then vac the system do what you have to do with the new dryer and and that TXV and tell me if if that can be done
Maybe a reversing valve, if the metering valve is blocked wouldn’t the suction pressure be lower?
I’ve only watched half the video so far but I’m saying it’s a TXV also
Cooling head pressure was false... looking higher than it really is because condenser air is bypassing with door off. Heating head pressure just looks like an overcharge, or airflow restriction. Probably could fix it just by recovering and accurate weigh in. Either way. your repair method was a sure way to get results !! Great video in my opinion.
I do believe it might be handy if we all had a third arm, although we would look strange.
Do TXVs fail more often than pistons?
Thx.
No problem
I would flush the system once you have it open
Nice job Stay Safe Brother and God Bless America
Curious as to why you suspected floaters in the freon system causing the possible issue and yet you reused the freon from the recovery bottle or did I miss something?
never seen a unit with 1 metering device in both directions. high head pressures send me in a airflow problem direction.
Please verify. If the TXV was faulty wouldn’t the suction pressure be very low?
Thought it was air filter at 1st u never did show it did say air flow was good but didn't see t.d. then u tested ac mode seemed got me thinking liquid line dryer txv good job
Heh heh heh. It's happened to every single one of us brazing but most folks would cut it. Kuddos.
I just started encountering rheem and even in new equipment I’ve replaced a lot of txvs 🤦🏻♂️……. If I was a contractor I would never sell rheem
Hey Curtis novice here, was this for the outdoor txv or indoor?
This is a packaged unit. There is nothing inside the house other than the ductwork. It's a rooftop unit everything is outside. Cheers
@@harryschrysan3183 I know but it’s a heat pump package unit so I was wondering if the issue and replacement was caused by the “evap” txv or “condenser” txv
@@coastalcarolinarocks This unit has only one txv (he mentioned it at video as well).
Just what I was thinking, it's over charged
Not using Nitrogen good way to plug up a new TXV and you really should have wrap up that TXV before brazing
💯
Shouldn’t say going through the roof while working in the roof
Sure hope you’ve learned to use thermo trap by now. I was a wee bit excited, you holding that kind of heat on the TXV ports. Even a wet rag would work in a pinch.
One more thing, bend your pipe in a positive direction into the fitting before brazing. I learned the hard way, 40 some years ago.
I’m not trying to beat you up, just passing on such info to a really good trouble shooter as yourself.
Reversing valve
It's getting hot in here!! So take off all your clothes!! Haha just kidding, Well if the dryer and TXV aren't the problem, Then maybe the reversing valve took a dump.
It's words from a song from Rapper Neilly..
Good job I enjoyed your video please answer back on my question
Replace that insulation before it is sucked into the fan and blower all over the building.
I see what working for a company and working for your self can do. Working for a company you have to rope your tool bag up. With self employed you can carry it up 😂
Burnt myself something fierce fussing with some sprung copper. You didn't and that's what matters at the end of the day 😊
Making this comment before watching the whole video. I'm thinking a dirty slammed restricted DIRTY Condenser Coil.Let's see.The Condenser Coil needs a Chemical foam wash with Nu Brite DEEP Cleaning treatment.
Restriction
I would ask if you’re taking apprentices but I’m camera shy…
Head still too high when you finished