I don't think it is accurate, it more likely you have sizing issues. do they know why the compressor went bad? you should get that addressed prior to purchasing new units or you may end up in the same boat.

 

Neither had a solid answer with regards to causation. It seems like I may need to press for that information before moving forward.

 

yup. compressors in general are pretty tough and reliable. we always say "a compressor is murdered". when we see a compressor or even a furnace hx failing prematurely we tend to suspect design and/or installation is at fault and not the equipment itself.
I am not saying they don't fail but usually there is underlying issues like ductwork and/or equipment sizing.
even if just for a piece of mind, I would get it checked and have a load calc done.

 

research contractors and get multiple quotes. be sure they perform manual j, s, d and any other cals that may apply. this will help with sizing the unit and the ductwork, this way your existing issues (if any) will come to light and can be addressed before installation. concentrate more on the contractor than the brand of equipment. is this something you need tomorrow or can it wait till next season?

 

I'll need it before summer gets here. I live in the southeast and the humid weather will arrive before too long.

Are the tests you referenced something that should have been performed during the original service call to diagnose the problem?

 

If the compressor is running with low refrigerant, and freezes, it will damage the compressor.

 

It could have easily been damaged from running low on refrigerant and it could easily have other issues that contributed as well. Here's a free load calc program if your interested. www.loadcalc.net 7 years old is definately a premature failure, a system installed properly should easily last 15-20 years with only minor repairs and maintenance, unfortunately most are not so the average is 10-12 years. All manufactures have at one time or another experienced high rates of evaporator coil failures and it definately is not good for the compressor for it to run low, especially for an extended amount of time.

 

The Tech should always tell you what type of compressor failure it was; stuck compressor or another specified cause.

I have seen far too many condemned compressors that had bad run Capacitors or defective start components, or bad conductor connections, or burnt-off connectors to the terminals on the compressor, etc. Therefore, there is a question here as to whether it was an internal failure or an external problem that can be fixed.(?)

The procedures used to verify where the compressor failure was - needs to be revealed to the customer as well as stated on the invoice.
Compressor companies will tell you that they have far to many condemned compressors shipped to them that were A-Okay.

 

The invoice lists the cause of the failure as "Burned out (acidic)".

I did have an issue where refrigerant had to be refilled about 2 years ago when vibration from the outdoor unit's casing shook the reservoir housing loose.

Is it possible that the evaporator coil leak and the refrigerant leak caused irreversible damage and it took 12-15 months for it to finally fail? Or would some other current issue had to have contributed?

 

Two weeks ago on the same model units I replaced a leaky heat pump coil, faulty outdoor txv, and compressor under warranty. There are junk.

 

a quick static pressure test on the duct system could confirm weather or not you have a airflow issue . low airflow is the biggest killer of compressors. at 7 years old with a burned out compressor i would cut my losses and replace it all to include a new lineset .

 

There was a Rheem 3.5 Ton 13 SEER Air Conditioner Split System (13AJN42A01 RHSLHM4221JA) that was installed in 2008.
A week ago, we lost heat and it was determined by two separate, well rated contractors in my area that the compressor failed.

Does that sound accurate for this system?

Any advice? TIA

Accurate? N O !!

I understand that Model 13AJN is a straight, Cooling unit.
I would expect an A/C system to last more than 12 [20] years in the SouthEastern [Northern] part of the U.S.

If you lost heat, it WAS CERTAINLY NOT due to A Compressor failure in an A/C unit.

What is the REAL ISSUE Here?

 

I wish I'd seen this thread sooner...

seriously. how can TWO "well rated contractors" determine a compressor failure in a straight cool a/c unit is causing a heating system not to function?

if the system was brand new perfect, it would not put out heat... the ONLY way this cooling unit could prevent heat from warming your home, is if the compressor is locked on and running continuously...

 

We replace more and more New systems like that all the time...why, installs are worse and worse, houses ate more efficient and the lowball new construction guys still don't properly size unit which leads to over size equipment, undersized ducting....We Love It!!...pulling out a 5 ton Goodman split next week where at 2100 square feet even a 3 is pushing the limits.

Buy a new system, buy it right

 

A week ago, we lost heat and it was determined by two separate, well rated contractors in my area that the compressor failed.

If it is a Rheem 13AJN, it is a straight A/C and not a heat pump. I'm not sure why the compressor failing would have anything to do with your heat not working.

Edit -- I see vstech posted above me.