HVAC Repair Replacing a Restricted TXV causing AC System to pump down
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- I ran into this TXV end of last summer September. The homeowner wanted to wait to replace the faulty valve. Last week the first heat wave hits New Jersey. Therefore, I replace the TXV which is a restriction causing the system to pump down. In this video you can hear the sounds of a restricted compressor. Due to the restriction, I need to recover the liquid stuck in the liquid line from liquid line service valve to TXV. Also evacuating the system to 500 microns and recharging the system to the proper subcooling.
Finally, someone who knows how to use a torch, solder, and flux.
Yes I have many videos on my other channel; the HVAC Hacker using staybrite 8 solder, which creates leak free fittings for 410a
Good work!! I wish i had ac guy like that. That does not tries to rip you off every time! Thanks for the video!
Thanks for sharing your work. Interesting how TXV formed a complete restriction or very close to it.
Just had one today, completely stuck closed. Zero pressure on suction side. Something broke inside the txv itself. The Schrader o ring blew off on suction so it lost all of its refrigerant in that line to compressor. 1st time i ran into this.
Videos are absolutely great people can learn a lot from you and the way you work keep the videos coming they kelp a great deal we appreciate them and you and your hard work
Thanks You have seen videos on my other channel. There is hundreds of HVAC vids their
Pup dowon ed firest dis c,,, 2mde,,,,su,,,0 pint 2runimg anf guge o comeing pk
Everyone wants to pretend they're an expert and be critical of everything on here.......here's an idea, if youre such an expert, make your own damn videos showing people your work.
I for one appreciate the people that take the time to pass on their knowledge on here for others to learn.
Criticism helps someone grow, you may think your doing everything right until someone puts out something you might of missed. Its not personal and the questions people had are justified. Dont take it so personally
.. .. says the guy that types his TH-cam name out in a stutter. KUH KUH KUH KUH KUH .. KC KC.
@@jamiecampbell3068 your mom had me distracted, sorry.
@@kckc6578Likely looking past your cleft plate, ugly ass face .. .. KUH KUH KUH KUH KUH KC.
@@jamiecampbell3068 You're right....she wasn't looking at my face.
Not bleeding your hoses? Also I was thinking you would evacuate the system and leave in a vacuum until you weigh in your refrigerant.
Good video. Next time cut the liquid line filter drier and braze the new one using nitrogen to prevent the system from contamination. Same recommendation for the TXV.
Try not to keep quiet for the entire part of the video, especially for the new technicians. Don’t be afraid to talk during the process.
Thank you.
It depends where I am working to how much talking I can do. If you want more hvac vids you should check out my other channel. The HVAC Hacker
I didn't see him apply heat to the txv.
He didn’t braze. He used Stay Brite silver solder. Lower temperature and no nitrogen necessary.
Nice to see you used a micron gauge. Just a word off advise, you literally put it in the worst place ,right next to the pump. You want it as far a possible to get a more accurate reading. Also just because the micron gauge said 250 with the pump on doesn't mean that's what the system really is. If you turned off the pump, it would jump back into the 1000's.
Why wouldn’t I use a micron gauge? I use one on most of my repairs. This was a few months before my micron gauge crapped out on me last summer
As for location it should be put inside the system if possible yet never is so right outside the service valve. Since the system has numerous restrictions by the pump is the worst spot
I used to do LG startups for Commissioning , We had to ask for proof off 500 microns with pic and a time stamp. You don't know how many guys said what's a micron gauge. Using Appion value core removers is the most accurate way I seen to get a reading off microns in the system with the pump isolated.
I find even with appoin core removers you may not actually be reading the microns in the system. I just replaced a 5-ton coil with around 100 feet of line set. I had to close off one of my Appion core tools and pull with one hose. The vacuum was pulling down my appion 1/2" hoses into a deeper vacuum than the system was in. I could pull with both sides open but the vacuum would always rise up. It would drop to around 150 yet the system wasn't there yet. it took an hour of evacuating for it to finally hold at 500 microns. There are lots of restrictions in a system
500 microns isn’t a challenge. It’s getting it to hold at 500
Hello, I would like to ask a honest question because I’m new at this.
Using staybrite 8 silver solder will hold the pressure of any refrigerant in Hvacc jobs ?
Have you had any problems?
And the reason I ask, is because is easier to work with this material than using silver rods 15 % silver and I want to make my journey as smooth as possible 😅
Thanks man
Sometimes there is screen filter inside, and it plugged. I usually drill it true and blow the lines with nitro from the condenser side. Then mount the new txv.
Around 2013 copland scroll compressors had a rust inhibitor coating. That coating would close the screen with a black sludge.
Bill's Tools thank you for this valuable information👍
Should flush the system to get moisture ,water and other impurities out of system first before proceed vacuum process.
next time you can just open the vales on your gauges , that way you don't have to use your recover machine, to recover from the liquid line.
I could just let the system compressor fire refrigerant into the recovery machine
Or u could just let it go jnto the atmosphere lol
Never use channel locks on brass or copper ( brass and copper are soft metals) it will warp the fitting and can cause a leak. Which "WE" do not want after doing such a good job. Correct wrenches only or a adjustable.
I know who will never work ona car
I thought you needed to braze since it’s 410a. High pressure and all ?????
From my unerstaning the staybright silver solder is actually stronger that brazing since you do not have to heat the copper up to a red hot heat which weakens the copper. In addtion to using the silver solder you don't have to run nitrogen through the lines while soldering like you do with brazing.
Pretty good kink in your liquid line inlet
nice job and video.. thanks
Thanks this was one of my first HVAC repair videos.
Why did you backseat the valves at the outdoor unit? Don't you want to vac out everything from the system and charge it with virgin refrigerant?
The refrigerant was good in this system just a defective txv. I only remove refrigerant if I lose a compressor or believe it’s contaminated. You remove refrigerant when running into defective txv’s? I have changed hundreds of txv’s without replacing the whole system charge. Thank you Copeland for the summer of 2013 txv extravaganza.
cut out the dryer next time!
YES, I wouldn't waste the torch and cut it off . he ended up doing that anyway.
Nah fr almost started a fire unnecessarily must not have had it
Nice video and great job
Thanks this is an early HVAC repair video of mine.
I always use a pencil reamer for the liquid lime you cut. It will have less restriction to liquid flow.
Mulch fire had me nervous. I would've put down a backboard, like sheet metal or something.
Edit: Oh wait, when putting the new part on you did.
Yea I don’t like the smell of burning mulch
I just had an HVAC repair tech at my home who diagnosed a bad/restricted TXV valve I'm about 5 minutes. He told me that my only option is an entire new central air system. I asked if he could replace the valve and he said that would cause all from to be lost and it would be $300/lb to refill and it would need at least 5lbs. After watching this, I'm wondering if he have me good info or just wanted to move on ASAP.
The system is 17 years old, worked great up until about a week ago when it started to bring able to reach 72° then 74°. If replacing the TXV valve is an option, what price should I expect l. Howb much refrigerant is usually lost and what's the average cost per lb to refill? I would greatly appreciate any advice. A family member has medical issues so I need to get it up and running quickly. Thx again for this awesome video!
Residential split system? If it is 17 years old probably a r22 system. I would say 200$ for the TXV (300 if r410a) and 30 for the filter dryer. Maybe 3 hours max in labor and with the refigerant 0$ if the system was charged correctly to begin with. This tech was trying to use the compressor to pump all the refrigerant into the outdoor unit. Once that process is complete you close the suction line valve and all the systems refrigerant is safe in the coils and compressor. If the TXV is completely restricted you pump the refrigerant into a tank to again save the refrigerant. Anyway once the txv is screwed on and the new filter dryer is brazed in you need to use nitrogen gas to pressure check and suction to leak check. Release the origional refrigerant and you are done.... Hopefully, a good tech will check over a system and make sure the origional charge was correct and the system does not have any other issues to head off. Anyway total in my area (missouri) you would be looking at 600-700$ total.
He probably took the unit door off.and said the txv is bad since he saw it frozed up..the txv is just equivalent to someone saying your car needs a new alternator when reality your fuel pump died or lets say your radiator busted. But afterall it was just your air filter being so dirty the unit started to freeze due to lack of air flow back to the evap and blower, one trick hvac companys dont want you to know about "bad" txvs is..if you hit it with a hammer couple of times til it thaws out itll fix it to open up again.txvs do get tired and do shut when your unit has been resting for sometime..txv replacement just means lets throw in a new part and charge ya $700 for 3 hours of labor and $100 dollar part
Not sure about these practices but have a few years under my belt, even up in Canada we do things a little differently
Excellent example of pump down, most pro probably cannot think of that, but I have couple of questions
(1) what torch you use, how can you solder this fast ? less than 30 seconds, you heat it up and finish it.
(2) why you vacuum something up from system ? you can foresee it is overcharged ?
I use an acetylene turbo torch and staybrite 8 silver solder only needs 800 degrees to flow. That was 3/8 pipe small which heats quickly. A refrigerant system needs to be evacuated/ pulled into a vacuum whenever opened. The vacuum removes contaminants and moisture, to protect the compressor. It was over charged cause when I was there last I hit it with some refrigerant while troubleshooting the txv.
When you start vacuuming, do you vacuum from the liquid or vapor side? Or both at the same time? Vapor right?
both side
Yellow jacket manifoldnya.. 👍👍
I like yellow jacket gauges, even though i mostly use my fieldpiece probes.
we always cut out an dryer ..right ....never sweat & soak the area with water
I have a question about using nylog on your flare fittings. The threads themselves don't have anything to do with sealing a flare fitting, and the manufacturers advise against using anything on the flare itself, such as tape or pipe dope. What is your experience with using vs not using nylog on your flare fittings? Anyone?
Been working on Mini Split units since 2003 and never EVER used nylon, also never had a unit leak from a flare after pulling a vacuum .
My understanding that using nylog on the threads makes it easier to tighten the fittings. It does not help to seal it.
@@neutrodyne HVACR Chris uses it behind the flare, not the face or threads, to provide some lubrication between the nut and back side of flare. I stopped using nylog because it is sticky and picks up any dirt or debris it comes into contact with.
@@Kevin-ib4gv My guess it that by using it behind the flare he figured it would keep the flare from distorting and leaking.
@@neutrodyne Yes, I agree. Not quite sure if it's a somewhat good idea to do it that way but probably can't hurt as long as it's kept clean. I don't recall any flare manufacturers recommending it this way, as a matter of fact I recall some saying don't put anything on the flare at all but who knows!
Did I just see you backseat those valves outside?
I think he just want to charge Freon to a partial liquid line the evaporator system .
Lol did you just solder a filter drier in? 😂
What's the name of that lubricant you put on the liquid line before you brazed it?
Brazing flux
@@billstools5244 Isn't it a possible contaminant to the system?
It draws moisture out of the solder, you kinda have to use it or the solder may not bond to the copper.
He uses a silver flux like your working on a water line
I assume that he is using Stay-Brite 8 silver solder which requires the use of a flux. The flux should be applied sparingly to prevent contamination inside the pipe. I usually put a small amount of flux on the pipe but not on the fitting. I also apply flux on the outside of the connection after inserting the pipe into the drier. Stay-Brite 8 is designed for refrigeration use and flows well on properly cleaned copper. I used it on the HVAC system that I installed at my house. The great thing about using a lower temp solder is that you don't have to flow nitrogen due to the lower melting point. Scale buildup only occurs at high brazing temperatures.
bill why didnt you cut that dryer out?
At the moment I felt like heating and pulling the drier. It works either way. Yet cutting I don't have to breath in any smoke.
Why silver solder ? I never seen that kind of job. All ac tech will braze it with brazing
sticks.
Brazing is one method yet many ac techs use staybrite 8 which is a silver solder. It creates a stronger joint than silfos
Bill's Tools thanks for the tips the flux will not hurt the system
Hello, i was told i need this done since renew was added two days ago only helped a little... unit runs all day and wont get below 84 Degrees on a 95* day,,, after 9pm its nice and cool and is working fine...I have a 2014 rheem 4 ton system filled with 410a... Can you give me a ball park fair price on this job? thanks for sharing.
individual 350 ... company 650. i charge 120 for the call (if i repair it) then about 75 per hour
Did you know the building burned down after you left.
😂😂😂
Why did you not cut the liquid drier out?When you braze it out as you did you release all of the moisture back into the system.
Which when vacuuming the system out will remove moisture from the system. Opening the system up allows moisture into the system
Yes it does.And a liquid dryer holds a lot of moisture and when heated releases that moisture as a vapor into system to condense once cooled.I just thought it was counter productive to release all that trapped moisture back into system.Do you find you have trouble or takes a significant amount of time to reach and hold below 500 microns?
I was told that I need my tv Val e replaced but mine is hard lined. Can it still be changed without changing the whole evaporator coil?
take the coil door off, txv should be inside
In today’s way of being a tech. I keep seeing the OLD SCHOOL guys keep using the OLD analog gages. Smart probes are the way to go. You decrease the level of contamination. No hoses no manifolds SMH
I have been using the testo 550 for about 8 years. You only need one set of gauges since cross contamination is a hoax. Why manufacturers don’t want new systems flushed with rx11. They want the black retrofit can used to allow the different oils to mix correctly. Small amounts of oil mixing will not harm a system. I always pressure test and vacuum with analogs then switch to testos for charging
@@billstools5244 Hell, half the compressors I see are starved of oil anyway because the oil collects in the low side & doesn't get back to the compressor soon enough.
If anything will kill a compressor, it'll be little to no oil return....not a little bit of oil mixing.
But in these schools, they really push the whole "cross contamination bull shit" pretty hard.
oil does seem to get stuck in the suction line I have noticed yet how can we improve oil flow in the system when it is supposed to move with the refrigerant? Do we need to keep the suction pipe pitched back to the compressor?
@@billstools5244 Read this short article in its entirety.
www.achrnews.com/articles/134790-oil-in-the-evaporator-not-very-slick
Refrigerant migration, refrigerant over-charge & too big of a suction line will cause oil to pool in the evap & suction line.
I am wondering exactly how many times a TXV gets condemned & replaced, when the actual problem is an oil-logged evap!
Why contaminate my manifold, hoses or even having to carry multiple gages for different refrigerants. SMH
You should read about cross contamination. We believed it for years yet if it was a problem how can you take a r22 system and convert it to a 407 system with only an additive added?
I am actually starting to look at smart probes. I was considering the mantooth from yellow jacket or testos smart probes
@@billstools5244 I thought the same thing.
I am so sick of this trade making up bull shit just to conn techs, who live hand to mouth, to spend their last dollar on more tools that they don't need.
You are right, Sir.
I'm glad to see at least someone else that can see through the bull shit.
Guess its pretty obvious why I cut filters out---You often have to add/remove line anyway for new---AND--GO INVEST IN A BRAZING BLANKET. They are about 30$ and will save you the embarrassment of looking really stupid by starting a fire--esp if customer is watching---and can destroy any confidence they have. I know how it is- don't always have things handy or whatever, I'm posting this for new people.
Swich tip size for smaller flame in tight areas
What brand of pliers was that at the beginning of the video
Looked like Knipex
You’re supposed to braze not solder
why is that?
:crickets: lol
You should be explaining what you're doing.
Hacker. well done. Peace brother
Pumpdown
line wrenches
Thank you
You should explaining what are you doing back there.
@@JosePerez-fv5td what I have to explain?
whats the name of the rod?
johnson lol
how much you charge to replace TXV? Please reply
This is a tricky question. Ever job is different. It takes me 3-6 hours to replace a TXV, depends on filter drier location if that needs to be replaced and if new refrigerant should be used
@@billstools5244 okay so on the 3 hour job what is cost? and i guess 6 hour job is approx twice as much... understandable... we just want an idea so we don't get jacked by an evil ac company... thax
@@roadstar499Around $5-600 give or take.
Super
I always use silfos .
Silfos is good yet staybrite 8 is rated for 410a. I like soldering. It’s how many systems were installed before 410a
Unbelievable
You did not show how it work and then you just pump it down??? I don’t think the beginners know what you are doing.
It was pinned shut. straight punk down. I troubleshoot this at the end of the last season. With a failure like that I am not running the system. that puts a beating on the compressor
Slow down a little your not in a horse race...
Too many things wrong. A halfway hack job.
If I ever saw a contractor work in such an unsafe manner with a torch like that I would toss him off the job.
Smart probes why to go. 1/4 inch attachments blue tooth capability smart phone. MONEY. FASTER MORE ACCURATE.JUST SAYING
how is a smart probe more accurate than my testo 550? If you like HVAC videos check out my other channel The HVAC Hacker
They have a lot of pros to using them.
The only downside is that they can only be used to calculate subcooling & superheat. When you need to recover; weigh in refrigerant; pull a vacuum....you still will need a set of gauges.
A fieldpiece or a set of Testo electronic gauges, on the other hand, do it all! Everything is right there in that one electronic gages manifold. You can't beat that!
You can always use a access t on the suction side with the smart probes. It was why I was looking into the yellow jacket Mantooth.
I use this: www.amazon.com/Appion-MegaSeal-Low-Loss-Charging-T-Fitting/dp/B07CZ3V566
almost a perfect example of NOT how to make a video. Opened up new vistas to the phrase USELESS CRAP !!!!
Very poor video !