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Hole in condenser coil

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saerandy

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
This afternoon, for reasons known only to God and himself, my youngest son decided to hit one of my outside condenser units with one of those little claw gardening tools. He most definitely punctured the coil in one spot, and it's not a small scratch, but more like a chunk taken out. I'm sure about two things: This is the only damaged spot overall, and that the coils surrounding this breech aren't damaged.

so. . .

Considering that I was recently laid off and can ill afford a new coil, can these be fixed around the breech? I'm guessing not, but I thought I'd check with you guys before putting in the call.

Thanks everyone. . .
 
#2 ·
saerandy said:
This afternoon, for reasons known only to God and himself, my youngest son decided to hit one of my outside condenser units with one of those little claw gardening tools. He most definitely punctured the coil in one spot, and it's not a small scratch, but more like a chunk taken out. I'm sure about two things: This is the only damaged spot overall, and that the coils surrounding this breech aren't damaged.

so. . .

Considering that I was recently laid off and can ill afford a new coil, can these be fixed around the breech? I'm guessing not, but I thought I'd check with you guys before putting in the call.

Thanks everyone. . .
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I don't think he punctured the actual coil, because if he did, you would have oil all over the place. Just have a contractor come out and take a look at the damage. If the copper/aluminum main coil tubes are ok and its just the fins that are damaged, then you shouldn't have to replace the coil.
 
#4 ·
To preface this, I don't do too much with residential stuff.

The above responses are dead on. If the coil was punctured, you would definately know that something BAD had happened.

To answer the main part of your question, the coils can be repaired if they are made of copper. It might be ugly and you may have a hard time finding someone who doesn't want to sell you a new unit and run, but I believe that you should be able to find someone capable of making a repair.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
There's definitely a hole. My wife heard a compressed air sound, went outside and actually tried to put her hand over the hole where the gas was coming out. She said she felt it coming out. The ac has been on only once this season, a couple of weeks ago. She said the hissing went on for about 2-3 minutes and then stopped. The system is only 4 years old.
 
#6 ·
The faster you get it repaired, the less likely you are to have problems.

If anything gets inside the piping (especially water), you will have BIG, BIG problems.
 
#7 ·
Make the call. The sooner the better. Refrigeration systems absolutely hate being left open to the atmosphere. And DONT start the system until the repair is made.
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
I am going to call. No oil around the hole. But can just that section be fixed in this residential unit, or should I brace myself? Bottom line is, there's no way I can afford to have the coils replaced, so if that's the only option, I'll have them do what they need to do to protect it until I can get it fixed.
 
#11 ·
saerandy said:
I am going to call. No oil around the hole. But can just that section be fixed in this residential unit, or should I brace myself? Bottom line is, there's no way I can afford to have the coils replaced, so if that's the only option, I'll have them do what they need to do to protect it until I can get it fixed.
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Doesn't Uniweld make a Aluminum soft solder kit of some sort that fixes coils? I think it comes with liquid flux that you apply after heating the area, then solder. I've never used the stuff but i saw it in a catalog a while ago and it caught my eye with air conditioning season on the horizon. Also, not sure weather it is a temporary fix or what not...... how big was the hole again? i would think it would really depend on that.

Hey, at least the price of copper came down. I'm unemployed too, buddy, i know how ya feel!
 
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#12 ·
what brand unit do you have? do you know what refrigerant is used? do you know what material the coil is made of?
aluminum is nearly impossible to clean well enough for a satisfactory repair. OIL definitely escaped and coated the line. cleaning the line for a decent weld would involve chemicals getting into the line... bad for the oil remaining, and bad for the unit. IIWM, I'd bite the bullet and swap the coil for a new one... brace yourself. if it's copper, it's easier, but understand condenser coil copper is EXTREMELY thin. and it's rifled inside, so finding a fitting the right size is difficult to impossible. odds are good that the section damaged is crimped pretty badly, and fixing will indeed be difficult. labor costs and recharge/oil replacement needed.
 
#15 ·
catmanacman said:
if it is a copper coil it probably can be repaired if it is aluminum your sol this is the reason i like condensing units with a coil cover made of steel
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I know, resurecting an old post:

I remember over 15 years ago when My Janitrol OD unit was installed. It looked NORMAL, compared to most units in the neighborhood.

Driving to work one day after my install, I saw an OD unit at a neighbors that looked like a stee lbox with holes in it. (I think it was a Trane) I remember thinking, wow, that's ugly, look at the air flow restriction compared to mine. LOL Now all new ones, I think, are enclosed by the perferated steel.
 
#16 ·
A skilled person CAN repair an aluminum coil. In my old shop we had a guy who did it daily (the units were under contract). Now if it's also kinked and otherwise damaged...who knows. Would have to be seen.
 
#17 ·
It can be repaired if you find the right person. It might look a little rough but it will do until you can get a new coil or replace the outside unit. I have even put heavy duty compression fittings on the 3/8 tubing to get the system back on line. Replacing just the coil could cost as much as a new unit. Then put a barrier about 24" from the unit.
 
#19 ·
I repaired a Goodman condenser coil about 6 years ago by cutting out the bad spot and swaging a piece of 1/2" copper in its place. Pressurized with nitrogen,good vacuum and recharged the system. It's been leak-free since then. Find the right person to help you with your problem.
 
#20 ·
I know this is an old post, but I was wondering if Saerandy could post the final outcome of the condenser coil repair. I am working on a 3 ton Trane heat pump condenser coil that has a hole caused by the line coming out of the muffer rubbing against the condenser coil.
The coil is made of aluminum and the hole is easily accessable from the inside of the heat pump.
There is a shop close by that does aluminum tubing repair (radiators, various industrial coils) that I believe could do the work. Before I go down that road (maybe rabbit trail), I would love to have some others' advice or experiences.

thanks to all who reply

Nox
 
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