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We need more Steve Lav’s out here. This kind of stuff happens a lot to us that know nothing about hvac when we call for help. Sad. Miss Molly is one very pretty little girl.
Evaporator is at negative pressure (as it's before the fan) so a trap should be present, pan is not level, can tell just from the water level, condensate runs to DWV vent pipe, not outside, return separated and/or collapsed. Mis-matched equipment, no insulation on liquid line outdoors. Real homeowner special on this one. Hats off to you for even working for this customer.
Steve, I have been watching your videos for nearly 2 years. I’m impressed with your knowledge and skills. I’m genuinely pleased with your honesty and approach to the various situations you encounter. I am extremely grateful that you share your knowledge and experiences here in the tube. I’m a professional auto tech with electrical systems and driveability diagnostics being my specialty. You inspire me and that gives me the desire to give something valuable back to the communities that I have learned so much from over the years. The problem I have is the time factor. It’s difficult for me to make a video with any quality due to how much I work. But... This video gave me the idea of what others would like to see. It’s not just about how to do something correct, but how to recognize a hack-job or seeing where there is room for improvements. I’m thinking that I can show the sub-standard repairs in my industry and create a video about it with much less time than I would invest into a video which I am teaching something in depth with a lot of details. I shall go to the shop with my camera and tripod tomorrow on a holiday weekend to shoot something valuable to share. Nobody will be there and I should be able to capture some things without the need to do a voice-over narrative due to general shop noises. If you read this comment, reply with your request on what you would like to see from the automotive repair industry. Anyone can reply with a request, not just Steve. Thank you for sharing your adventures and thanks for being an honest technician Steve. I’m inspired to show others how an honest car repair shop works.
I have honestly never seen anybody use tie wraps to hold insulation on a pipe before and I've seen quite a few hack jobs. I have seen some crappy return vents similar to the one in this video.
Looks like another fine job by a neighbor’s neighbor’s nephew who is in his first semester at New England Institute of Technology. Aunts & uncles can be so helpful to their neighbors.
I know little of HVAC systems but do enjoy watching the pros at work. With the condensate drain attached to stack vent and especially without a trap could the system have been drawing in sewer gas through drain line and mixing it in the air stream? If that's a dumb question please go easy on me, as I said, I'm just a layman.
@@coolezum It was never draining from day one. The pan was doing all the work. That unit will need a deeper trap for sure. They still may be getting stink.
the secondary is higher in the pan and to code is supposed to be ran to a conspicuous location so to alert the end user of a problem if water is present. such as over a window seal or in a garage.
I use a eztrap on the condensate drain, and break Y, if and when a stoppage happens and also the fan would keep running to help dry out inside the airhandler from mold or mildew buildup if any, helps keep air moving and lowers mold and mildew smell. Well that's the way I was taught and like the concept
It’s a really bad install. At best it should be trapped at the primary drain so it doesn’t suck air in through the aux and have ball valves on both lines to air lock one line while blowing out the other during maintenance.
That guy took advantage of that customer. That's not the first time I have seen a R22 compressor on a 410A inside unit. She needs to sue his sorry a@@.
I'm a oil man and could tell that was a hack job just from seeing the 20 plus year old Rudd hooked to a new 410 system. What happens when you don't get Steve to do the install.
To answer the customer’s question. He does does teach. I’ve picked up some good practices from watching and subbing to this channel. Lol @ “you think I’m not gonna record this after seeing all that?!? “ Stink pipe to evaporator pan. WOW!
Doesn't matter what country your in there is shit shows everywhere. I saw someone install a split system (ductless system for my american friends) with no vac. just flared the lines bolted them up. Opened the liquid valve then stick a screw driver into the suction charge port until gas came out and said job done opened up the suction valve and turned the system on. You gotta admit thats a quality install :P
I may not always do things perfect like someone who does it every day but I always do the best I can great video as always Steve is a real workingman mama
Never know what to expect at some properties. I'm still shaking my head and wondering about the situation you found there. You are wise not to inherit all the problems that exist with system.
Agreed! I would be very quick to wash my hands of that hackery. Who knows what gunk is in that LineSet. I'd offer to change out the whole thing or walk away. Only under emergency circumstances would I try to fix a system like that. Only accept licensed and insured contractors. We cost more, but we back our work.
My god that was a hideous install. The fact that it was a unico system made it all that much more worse. I cant believe that hacker actually took money from that lady.
Cheapest bid and just stuck together and when you have a problem they're out of business and operating under another name, mismatched equipment,etc,etc,etc
Shouldn't bends with flex be done with metal to keep static pressure down? Shouldn't the armaflex segments be taped together so they don't leak? That condensate line tapped into the return is like asking for death by carbon monoxide if it gets plugged up. Nice mix n match R22 (condenser) with 410a (evaporator) I guess that's a hack trade secret.
they are older 10 SEER units she needs both units replaced mainly the one with a 410A coil as it has a 410a TXV in it. as its like a late 1990s Ruud outdoor unit but a Copeland Scroll how long that will last. seperate run caps for the fan and compressor. just a hack job. mismatched equipment.
I always see home warranty companies doing this mismatch stuff. I think they just do the bare minimum and only replace what's absolutely necessary during install.
Hackers they are everywhere from the east to west and north to south. Its sad people do work like that. I have seen it from licensed contractors. Moral of story you get what you pay miss matched systems. Sad. Have a blessed day brother
That drain is still going to go into the secondary drain pan because it's lower than the coil they have to be ran separate at lest till the drain pipe is below the secondary pan. By code they should separate all the way and tying into a drain vent pipe is a no-no to start with.
Their is at least 3 wire ties missing on that suction line lol. No way to properly charge that unit. That condenser coil was pretty oxidized. It won’t last long. The compressor sounds horrible.
Hey what’s the make and model of that thin meter you used with the clamp on temp probes, I saw where you had it tapped into your hoses for the PSI readings on your meter and the clamps on the Freon lines, very cool
Yellow jacket makes a very expensive analyzer that can decipher exactly what is in a system and what percentage, its like 3-5 grand used in heavy duty commercial and industrial.
I got to say though, that was a damn good looking lineset outside. The joints on that suction were beautiful. 👍 If I did that good a job sweating it in I wouldn't have insulated it either, so everybody could see my good work 😅 She's a sweater momma!
2:26 Why was the filter / dryer by the air handlers (A coil) instead out by the compressor? Thank you Steve I have watched for a year now and fixed my own AC twice so far. I have a leaker MAMA! I also had a condensate issue due to blocked drain, made the house very musty.
Filter drier has to be as close to the TXV as possible, per manufacturer's request. Some have the filter drier literally at the TXV (2015+ Rheem). Also when the filter drier is inside it lasts longer, than being beaten outdoors and reduces leak chances.
Oh I see, where I live they stick them outside for some reason. Most of the time they look worn after a few years and blend into a dirt color. I mow lawns and must watch out for those filter dryers while trimming near condenser units which was why I found it odd it was inside. I wish they would do that here.
Law enforcement in our area, run sting operations to weed out these kind of hackers.... Usually haul in a couple dozen a month . Try working here in this town without a licence and insurance will get you jail time with Bubba.
@@stevenlavimoniere thanks and your knowledge of hvac systems and boilers man you are the Nor of those trades keep up the good work i started my business 2 years ago learn a lot from you thanks again
Are we sure that is pure R22. These day's? Without appropriate Oil Changes? POE oil is now the standard. You can Replace R22 With 407c. I would change the whole condenser pack in this case. It is old. And Likely Corrupted.
James K I live in Florida. Air replacement needs permitting. In the past, there were (still are) too many "fly-by-night", unskilled labor throughout Florida. I just had my air replaced. The county inspector was very diligent in making sure all installation follow current code. This video showed how much air/heat permitting should be required for consumer protection.
Judging by the supply registers and supply ducts.... Looked like high pressure air system originally. Those systems were popular in 1980s in eastern usa. Houses with boilers mainly. Return looked small and ovaled which cuts airflow. And old trick to get suction higher was to force more air through system. Wonder if it was disconnected for a reason. That maybe reason for low suction pressures. In vid didn't see ex valve. I would have looked at system... I would have done nothing ... I would not assume someone else's shitshow! Steven, in the customer's eyes,you may now own it.
Is it possible they were that stupid not changing the tx valve to, Low pressure on suction from my experience is the High-velocity system mo , unit does have a freeze stat to cycle outdoor unit down. Sorry I I didn't watch the whole video before my first comment, Steve.
Wait... U can use regular plumping copper for lineset???!!! Who would zip tie armor flex instead of sliding it on the lineset before you braze?!?! Hack job ain't the word for it... Google construction at it's finest.
I sat here trying to remember where I'd seen that copper water pipe being used on a AC, my local train station uses it and that entire system is older than this system. That system uses a mechanical 2 piston compressor. Piping on that system is rougher that this one too. It's possible that it's older than me.
That install sure was a shit show! Sucks so many hvac hacks around here also are doing work like this, I quit 2 companys that did work like this, I refuse to do crap like that. All because they want their commission
