[FredFishman]

Lennox A/C Leaks coolant (410A) after a year or so, every year since I got it

Any ideas what this could be?

Its leaking now and I'm on my 3rd coil

Here's the what happened
2008 New 3Ton AC unit installed
2010 Spring, AC was 3 pounds+ down on coolant, refilled
2011 AC out/low again, unit filled
2012 AC out/low again, condenser isolated, no leaks, copper piping checked, no joints/welds in between the condenser and unit, oil in pan, coil replaced
2013 worked OK
2014 AC out/low again, AC company was out several times, piping and condenser checked again tried leak sealer, refilled it, last refill lasted less than 1 month, leak detector alerting slightly near coil, replaced coil
2015 Beginning of summer, working OK
2015 End of summer, AC out/low again, company came out, added 3lbs of coolant, and a different type of leak sealer

They said they've never had anyone have 3 coils go bad on them, and even 2 bad ones is very rare.

The company seems knowledgeable, in business 30+ years, great reviews online, and the owner has come out on several occasions, they've covered most of the visits under warranty.

What would you do in this case?

 

[martyinlincoln]

I'd look for the chemical source in the home that's destroying coils. Something is in the air stream and its corroding the copper. Sewer gas, cleaning chemicals and added scents are the most common.

 

[FredFishman]

I'd look for the chemical source in the home that's destroying coils. Something is in the air stream and its corroding the copper. Sewer gas, cleaning chemicals and added scents are the most common.

I don't think that's it, my house isn't connected to a sewer, don't use scents, and I use simple green cleaner mostly. Plus all the pipes are copper and they've been there a lot longer and haven't had any issues.

 

[Mr Bill]

I'd look for the chemical source in the home that's destroying coils. Something is in the air stream and its corroding the copper. Sewer gas, cleaning chemicals and added scents are the most common.

Spoken just like one of the coil mfg. attorneys, have you changed jobs? :grin2:

 

[catmanacman]

im curios if they have pressureized and dunked the evap coil to make sure it is leaking ,im thinking something else is leaking

 

[FredFishman]

im curios if they have pressureized and dunked the evap coil to make sure it is leaking ,im thinking something else is leaking

They said they pressurized it, but didn't say the dunked it.

 

[doug1111]

They said they pressurized it, but didn't say the dunked it.

I agree with catmanacman - they just guessed and never pin pointed the leak - practicing there mistakes - need to do isolation test - e-vap coil -/ line set -/ condenser - BUT more than likely the stop leak is going to take out the compressor soon!! Read some of the threads on stop leak. And you tube by T&N Services-stop leak - IMO Might be best that you deal with another company.

 

[darctangent]

I agree with catmanacman - they just guessed and never pin pointed the leak - practicing there mistakes - need to do isolation test - e-vap coil -/ line set -/ condenser - BUT more than likely the stop leak is going to take out the compressor soon!! Read some of the threads on stop leak. And you tube by T&N Services-stop leak - IMO Might be best that you deal with another company.

yup.

It wouldn't be the first time!

Stop leak products are a train wreck waiting to happen.

 

[dougfamous]

Get a second opinion. I have seen one house in 22+ years where the coils went bad after a couple of years. He had a bad sulphur contamination problem, all of his copper in the house would turn black and corrode.

Also, Lennox just recently settled a lawsuit over leaking coils and you may be covered under that.
http://www.evaporatorcoillawsuit.com