[EileenJG]

I have a roof-mount, 3 ton Trane residential air conditioning unit (heat pump?) and I live in Phoenix AZ. Last July, when it started blowing hot air, I hired an A/C company to come out and they replaced the capacitor. They got it working but told me that the entire unit needed to be replaced. When the unit started blowing hot air again a month later, I called another company. This guy told me I didn't need a new unit, and that he could simply replace the compressor, which he did.

Two months ago, the unit started blowing hot air again. I called the same tech who did the install. He said the compressor was faulty, removed it and exchanged it for another Trane compressor.

The day after he left, an awful smell filled my house...not the 'dirty sock smell,' but an acrid chemical smell, like heated mechanical oil. I called him back out and he cleaned the coils, telling me that a "teal colored oil" was on them. (???) The smell abated for a short time, but not long after, it came back again and now is overpowering. I'd call this same tech out again, but I have no confidence in him. He really didn't have a clue what was causing the smell.

I understand that I need to have it serviced...again, but I'd rather know what I'm dealing with beforehand so I can speak somewhat intelligently. My eyes are burning and it's hard to breathe in my own house. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Eileen

 

[EileenJG]

It Phoenix and it's 106 degrees right now. Turning off the unit isn't an option. This has been going on for about two months now and hasn't killed me yet.

My tech's problem had nothing to with any lying. He admitted he didn't know the cause, tried to fix it, and hoped it would work. It didn't.

 

[EileenJG]

Thanks, S.T., for your help.

1 - Yes, the system is operational.
2 - It is a package unit on the roof.
3 - The smell is like 'fumes' in the system. More of a chemical type. Acidic.

While the unit is keeping the house cool, it doesn't seem to be putting out air that's as cold as I think it should be.

At the time of the first install, the tech had to replace part of the refrigerant line due to a clog, so I wondered whether it was freon I was smelling, but I understand it's odorless.

I would agree that the smell could be coming from somewhere else on the roof except that it started the very next day after the tech finished the second install. After he cleaned the coils, the smell abated for awhile, though not for long.

My HOA maintains my roof, which is flat. I'll check with them to see if they did any work up there on or around the time of the second compressor install.

Eileen

 

[EileenJG]

No, but how & when does the cancer get initiated?

This is your 'professional' response? Wow, glad you're not my A/C guy.

BTW, I'm a two time cancer survivor, so I REALLY don't appreciate your comment.

 

[EileenJG]

Freon is odorless when it's clean. Getting contaminates in the system or excessive heat in the compressor causes the chemicals to break down and form acid. That eats on comressor windings and turns the oil a green color. It also smells putrid. Could be some of the oil spilled into the air stream compartments while the compressor was being replaced.

I'm thinking you may be on to something here. Sounds exactly like what could be happening. A friend of mine who used to be in the HVAC business mentioned that I may have had what he called a 'dirty install.'

Eileen

 

[EileenJG]

I am wondering if someone might not have used a coil cleaner designed for outdoor coils on the indoor. Some of them have a strong chemical smell such as you describe, which is why indoor and outdoor coil cleaners are separately distinguished.

But I would think that the smell would have abated with the time-frame described, though it is curious that it "comes back." Some indoor coil cleaners have additives that temper the smell, which might account for the smell going away for a brief time after they cleaned it, but that also dissipates, so it might be that the proper coil cleaner masked the bad smell for a time, and when that abated, the original bad smell returned.

As far as whether it is working "as good as you think," the homeowner is really the best one to know how a system works. If it doesn't seem to be working as once it did...you should know.

In either case, letting this go on for months is not a good idea. If it were a refrigerant leak, it is likely the system would not be working at all, and I would think the leak would have to be considerable for it to affect the airstream.

Have someone thoroughly clean the indoor coil, and verify that there is no infiltration. Have them look at the pressures, check amp draws, and if possible, inspect the ductwork inside. Infiltration inside the building is also a possibility.

God bless.

THANK YOU. Trust me, the only reason I didn't address this any sooner is because 1) it comes and goes; 2) the tech who did the install couldn't smell what I was smelling; 3) I was concerned that the next person who would come out wouldn't be able to smell it nor know how to fix it.

At least now I feel like I have several potential reasons.

Thank you for your help. I'll make a call in the morning and report back with the findings.

Eileen

 

[EileenJG]

the "teal colored oil" along with the description of "acrid chemical oil" smell leads me to conclude the two compressors were changed improperly, and you have leaking lines seeping acid laden oil onto the surfaces. I' would have a different company come evaluate the compressor oil and report the findings.
there are some additives that can abate the problem if it's acid, but a new unit may be in your future...

You were exactly on the money. When I attempted to turn on the heat last week, it blew only cold air. That's when I called a large, reputable HVAC company who sent out a service tech. He determined I needed a whole new unit and that there was very little freon remaining. (It was refilled just last October.) When the sales person came out the next day to do the paperwork, he informed me that freon has a minute mineral oil content and that's what I was smelling burning off as it passed the coils.

The new unit was installed the next day and the smell is gone.

Thanks, everyone, for your help!

Eileen