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Sporlan TXV problems

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SuperPro

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
We've been installing a lot of Ruud units lately and have been having problems with the TXV's getting stuck. We've opened the valves and found a black residue on the needle and spring, once cleaned theyre fine. Field rep said its bc we didn't braze with nitrogen but I've found it on 4 package units as well as another guy finding several as well. Is anyone else seeing this? Field rep has sent pics to Rheem to show its happening in the package units, just wondering if its coming from Rheem or Sporlan.
 
#6 ·
SuperPro said:
We've been installing a lot of Ruud units lately and have been having problems with the TXV's getting stuck. We've opened the valves and found a black residue on the needle and spring, once cleaned theyre fine. Field rep said its bc we didn't braze with nitrogen but I've found it on 4 package units as well as another guy finding several as well. Is anyone else seeing this? Field rep has sent pics to Rheem to show its happening in the package units, just wondering if its coming from Rheem or Sporlan.
Click to expand...
Are you brazing with nitrogen?
 
#7 ·
#8 ·
Have you checked the discharge temp? Maybe the oil has started cooking. This is common with r22 systems with run away superheat,the same can happen with 410a or any refrigerant for that matter.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
These are brand new just installed 410a units. Less than a month old and yes i use a Harris regulator with a uniweld flow control for brazing but these are also showing up on package units.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Don't know, I hope our installers are flushing line sets but i can't say for sure. We are sitting down with the tech rep tomorrow so I'll update what info he has when I get it.
 
#12 ·
Sporlan Investigating Thermostatic Expansion Valve Contamination

There are increased reports of thermostatic expansion valve failures (TEV, TXV, TX valves) on residential A/C and heat pump applications. These failures are caused by uncommon contaminants in the system that are coating the pins and ports causing poor valve modulation and superheat control. The source of the contaminants is being investigated by equipment manufacturers and component suppliers including Sporlan. Remedies will be developed after the contaminant chemistry is understood. Standard industry clean up practices are recommended until a situation specific method is established (RSES Standard 91). Additionally, many manufacturers are issuing their response and recommendations and should be reviewed. Sporlan will continue to update the industry with our findings as the investigation continues.

Glen Steinkoenig
Contaminant Controls Product Manager
 
#13 ·
Following this thread: we're having the same issues. Yes- we are using nitrogen during brazing, but this situation is beyond that... TXV inlet screens clean, filter drier installed, but dark substance/slime on the outlet of the TXV... Inconvenient= understatement.
 
#14 ·
Sporlan CC said:
There are increased reports of thermostatic expansion valve failures (TEV, TXV, TX valves) on residential A/C and heat pump applications. These failures are caused by uncommon contaminants in the system that are coating the pins and ports causing poor valve modulation and superheat control. The source of the contaminants is being investigated by equipment manufacturers and component suppliers including Sporlan. Remedies will be developed after the contaminant chemistry is understood. Standard industry clean up practices are recommended until a situation specific method is established (RSES Standard 91). Additionally, many manufacturers are issuing their response and recommendations and should be reviewed. Sporlan will continue to update the industry with our findings as the investigation continues.

Glen Steinkoenig
Contaminant Controls Product Manager
Click to expand...
thank you for this update, please stop by often. a lot of respect is given to those in the industry such as yourself who comes here to see what's happening on the front lines.
from all my conversations with distributor and manufactur reps it is obvious the is a widespread problem that will require an equal response.

please keep this group informed at every turn. we may be "just a guy on the internet" but we are everywhere on the front line as the face of this industry.
 
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#15 ·
Sporlan CC said:
There are increased reports of thermostatic expansion valve failures (TEV, TXV, TX valves) on residential A/C and heat pump applications. These failures are caused by uncommon contaminants in the system that are coating the pins and ports causing poor valve modulation and superheat control. The source of the contaminants is being investigated by equipment manufacturers and component suppliers including Sporlan. Remedies will be developed after the contaminant chemistry is understood. Standard industry clean up practices are recommended until a situation specific method is established (RSES Standard 91). Additionally, many manufacturers are issuing their response and recommendations and should be reviewed. Sporlan will continue to update the industry with our findings as the investigation continues.

Glen Steinkoenig
Contaminant Controls Product Manager
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
#16 ·
Sporland and the system OEM's have been working diligently over the past month to stop this problem. Please see the progress below and expected update.

August 28, 2014 Update
• This problem does affect various manufacturers thermostatic expansion valves
• Sporlan has worked with system OEMs to identify the chemicals that make up the contamination
• System OEMs have identified the source of these chemicals and their bulletins reflect this information
• Sporlan has successfully duplicated the system and TEV performance degradation using these suspected source fluids
• Sporlan and System OEMs have determined that a new filter model is required to clean this contamination due to limited success with existing OEM filter-driers and clean-up style filter-driers
• Sporlan continues to develop this new solution by determining the right filter material, configuration, and quantity to ensure proper TEV performance
• Sporlan anticipates an update in about 2 weeks with our further progress towards a solution


Let us know if you have any questions.

Glen Steinkoenig
Contaminant Controls Product Manager
www.sporlanonline.com
www.parker.com/coolparts
636-239-1111
 
#19 ·
Appreciate the professional response. Hoping the little guys get major support from the Corporations and Wall St. types. The whole situation has been incredibly difficult on the front lines. Those of us actually face to face with homeowners.
 
#20 ·
EVERYONE is having this problem. No matter brand of equipment, TXV, gas, oil, copper. Originally Carrier blamed Danfoss and switched to Sporlan. We're a Rheem dealer so have had a number of Sporlans down. And Parker on the ADP coils we used. For right now the key is bet possible brazing techniques and hope!

And Glen, thanks for coming along with the info!
 
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