HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Trane XL15i - Noisy & Blown Compressor-Only 5 Years Old!

Jump to Latest
21 - 32 of 32 Posts
#21 ·
catmanacman said:
I would want them to replace the compressor,contactor ,capacitor not sure but it might have 2 liquid line driers ( some Tranes do) that need replaced ,and i would want a trane start kit .i am also not sure that compressor is a scroll as it is a 2 ton Trane uses recip climatuff compressors in 1.5 and 2 ton units .
Click to expand...
And the only compressor tuffer than a Trane scroll is a Trane recip climatuff!:.02:
 
Save
Like Like
#24 ·
read this entire tread and have a few questions about what has not been asked
what is the service history on this unit?
how offten is it maintained
do you just get it checked when it isnt working?

compressors dont die they are killed as has been said
static pressure test ever been done?
air flo test ever been done?
what type of filters are you useing and how often are you replacing them
do you use set back and how much of a temp differance

when was the last time the condenser coil was cleaned?
is there a dryer vent with in ten ft of the condenser clogging the coil
thiese things can play abig roll in killing a compressor

also when the new compressor in installed dont be supprized if there is something els wrong
from you discription i tend to thing the outside txv has a problem and the unit was pulling down and damaged the bearing if it is in fact a scoll

i would be more concerned as to what killed this 5year old compressor then what the tech will do when replacing it.
stand over his shoulder telling him what you want done isnt going to help but asking him to find the real problem or insisting on it will do more good for the longjevity of the new one
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
tinknocker service tech said:
read this entire tread and have a few questions about what has not been asked
what is the service history on this unit?
how offten is it maintained
do you just get it checked when it isnt working?
Click to expand...
It has been serviced annually.


tinknocker service tech said:
compressors dont die they are killed as has been said
static pressure test ever been done?
air flo test ever been done?
what type of filters are you useing and how often are you replacing them
do you use set back and how much of a temp differance
Click to expand...
Airflow test was done when the unit was installed. Static pressure I don't know but doubt that it was done.

The filter is a single whole house Aprilaire 2200 which really keeps the AH clean! It is changed on an annual basis at the beginning of the cooling season in NC.

The house is unoccupied during the day. The winter temp is set to 70 setback to 62. The summer temp is 75 set back to 85. BTW, why should setback matter? These systems are rated for and are most efficient when run continuously. At least that is everything that I have read.


tinknocker service tech said:
was the last time the condenser coil was cleaned?
is there a dryer vent with in ten ft of the condenser clogging the coil
thiese things can play abig roll in killing a compressor
Click to expand...
I don't believe that the condenser coil has ever been cleaned because it hasn't needed it. There is nothing nearby like your dryer vent to clog it up.


tinknocker service tech said:
also when the new compressor in installed dont be supprized if there is something els wrong
from you discription i tend to thing the outside txv has a problem and the unit was pulling down and damaged the bearing if it is in fact a scoll
Click to expand...
This is my BIG concern that whatever ate this compressor will also eat the next one.

How easy is it for a tech to diagnose an outside TXV problem?


tinknocker service tech said:
i would be more concerned as to what killed this 5year old compressor then what the tech will do when replacing it.
stand over his shoulder telling him what you want done isn't going to help but asking him to find the real problem or insisting on it will do more good for the longevity of the new one
Click to expand...
Exactly! Any ideas on how to get them to do this? Since this is a warranty job they aren't getting paid much for they aren't going to want to spend much time diagnosing what might have caused the failure.

When I talked to the company service manager this afternoon I was told that compressors sometimes fail and that they were going to just replace it and move on. I don't like this attitude but it is too late to find another dealer.


Thanks,

Steve
 
#26 ·
dont take my questions wrong way just looking for info
truth is wont be able to find out why till the new compressor is in.
am glad to here you have taken care of the system and the 2200 filter is a wonderful filter
the external txv will show on start up in heat
most important is that it be tested in both ac and heat mode with temp and pressure readings
the capacitor should also be replace but isnt covered if it isnt bad
have found on a lot of trane units the sensor bulb tube chafs and pops a hole ask you tech to look it over carefuly before he charges the unit
keep in mind this is only a guess on my part am not there:angel:
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
HVAC Gurus,

I talked to the service manager at the dealer that will be replacing the compressor. This is what he said that they would do for the replacement.

1. An acid test. Apparently a test tube sized gizmo that is attached to one of the schrader valves.

2. They WILL NOT do any kind of flushing of the system. He maintained that the filter/dryer(s) will catch anything big enough to harm the new compressor (but what about acid?). Is this a shortcut that is likely to leave contamination that could cause future problems? He also indicated that if there was any trash in the line that it would quickly clog the AH TXV which would be readily apparent. He failed to elaborate on how they would remediate this situation if it occurred.

3. They will replace the existing dryer(s). He made it sound like there are two in there but I can only see one though the top of the condenser unit. He did not say that they would ADD an additional filter dryer in the suction side to keep and detritus out of the new compressor. Is this a shortcut if a suction line dryer is not added?

4. The failed compressor will be shipped to Texas for analysis but there will be no feedback as to the cause of the failure.

This all brings up another thought... Is there a Trane approved standard procedure to follow when replacing compressors under these kind of circumstances? If it does exist where could I find it?


Thanks,

Steve
 
#28 ·
Steve

We are not picking on you or trying to insinuate anything, but as techs we get all different stories. Those Trane compressors are made well but not anything can break. I could think of a number of reasons why yours failed but it's all conjecture.

On your part all you can do is have someone come out on a regular basis and check the performance of the system. If the company your using isn't capable of doing a detailed system analysis and see problems you may be having it's time to find someone who can.
Good luck
 
Save
Like Like
#29 ·
A suction drier will not be needed if the oil is not acidic. If one is used it must be removed after a period of time, if it shows a pressure drop across it. It should be installed vertically so as not to hold any oil from returning to the compressor.

The suction side of the sys is low pressure, usually not a great place to cause a restriction.
 
Save
Like Like
Discussion starter · #30 ·
tinknocker service tech said:
dont take my questions wrong way just looking for info
truth is wont be able to find out why till the new compressor is in.
am glad to here you have taken care of the system and the 2200 filter is a wonderful filter
the external txv will show on start up in heat
most important is that it be tested in both ac and heat mode with temp and pressure readings
the capacitor should also be replace but isnt covered if it isnt bad
have found on a lot of trane units the sensor bulb tube chafs and pops a hole ask you tech to look it over carefuly before he charges the unit
keep in mind this is only a guess on my part am not there:angel:
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up on the outside TXV and specifically what to look for. If you're right I owe you at least a beer and maybe a case!

BTW, where is Suppy, NC? I have heard of Climax and Whynot NC but never Suppy.

Thanks,

Steve
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
Replacement Update

HVAC Gurus,

The service techs came out Friday morning and installed a new compressor. Upon arrival the first thing they did was check out the incoming power and found a blown fuse in one leg of the 240 line. However, the compressor sounded like it was still trying to start with one fuse blown. It turned out that the compressor had grounded out internally and the one good fuse was still trying to provide power to the compressor through the grounded winding.

The first thing they did was change out the compressor contactor. The original one was from "Components Unlimited - China"... Not what I would have expected from Trane. The contacts didn't look terrible. They were black but not overly pitted or eroded. The new contactor has sealed contacts which should keep the insects and critters out.

An acid test was done on the freon at the service port and no acidity was found. The old compressor oil was not checked for acid. The compressor and filter drier were replaced. The unit was evacuated to 750 microns and then recharged to the proper weight and the unit was restarted.

The sump heater was checked and found to be functional. The outside TXV was checked. All capacitors were checked and found to be good. The pressures measured 60/215 in heat pump mode. Tech said that he couldn't get good readings in AC mode due to low ambient temperature.

After this whole experience I have noticed something that may be more telling. The outside unit is at the back of the house near a currently unused bedroom so it is not easy to directly hear any noises the unit is making. For the past month or two I have noticed noise/vibration that I thought was being transferred through the air handler. The noise sounded like a low rumble and would lessen considerably within a minute or so of the compressor starting. With the new compressor this startup noise is gone. Does any of this sound Familiar?

Thanks,

Steve
 
21 - 32 of 32 Posts
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
About this Discussion
31 Replies
13 Participants
Last post:
tinknocker service tech
HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion
posts
5M
members
275K
Since
2000
The #1 HVACR Community
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
AOP Residential HVAC/Refrigeration(Beenthere Zone) General Discussion Tech to Tech Chat - Residential Controls Refrigeration & Ice Making