It’s funny the split on here. Some guys are legit like “new cap tube new dryer she’s good” and others are like no way she’s done…. It’s really interesting to talk thru with everybody.
@@restaurantrepairs exactly there is a split but for me personally it’s not worth my time or the customers money, repairing an old unit which may or may not work properly,
Best bet is to obviously replace the cap tube (fyi 90% of true 1/3hp units are either .046 or .049 10-12 feet I stock both those sizes (supco sells them both in 11-12 ft lengths. 15-20$) Or supco bc2 universal cap tube Best bet to clearing it out is back blowing it ( unbrazing or cutting suction line, brazing on a port and back blowing through the evap out the cap tube but even that’s a 50% chance and it’ll clog again in a few weeks
Like playing in a cardboard box on Christmas day! LOL. Just a box that smells like old food... LOL. Wow! heating the cap tube up? Nice try. I would have just replaced the cap tube and dryer. Seems the time you spent doing the heating cap tube attempt. You could have replaced the cap tube and dryer... Looks like a new compressor. That's good. For a few $100 more, I like to replace the Evap coil. Then all the "inside" coil/tube issues are covered.
I hate capillary systems, it's usually some rotten, unloved filthy old fridge that needs hours of work and you may or may not be able to fix it. You get it going then it blocks again and you're trying to get paid for not repairing something....give me a TXV any day.
Whenever I get a restricted R134A system, I recover the refrigerant, pull out the filter drier, and flush the cap tube and both coils with RX11 and nitrogen. I drop in a new filter drier, pull a deep vacuum, and recharge. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but I always make sure the customer knows the risk. I definitely agree with you on th 50/50 odds.
Right, and if it does work maybe in 6 weeks when it’s restricted again they have a sour taste in their mouth about the bill for the “failed” repair even thought they understood up front.
@restaurantrepairs oh I'm with you on that. I give them the option with a big disclaimer. I've gotten better at telling them I won't even try. Over heated units running R134A is a disaster waiting to happen. Haven't had this issue with R290 yet.
I’m wondering if a vacuum and maybe a little map gas would have had a better effect. Simply because you’re going to need a vacuum before you charge it after you find the leak …..
The thing is that system is likely top to bottom so infected that obviously I cleared it some then not, then yes, then not. My heart shatters with calls like this. I wanna be the hero, I want for make a way, but the likelyhood of even a new cap tube and dryer becoming restricted In the mint following a replacement is very high. Then it’s callback after callback and replacing the unit anyway 🪦
I won’t quote a partial repair. I’ll explain honestly that I won’t play repair roulette with that thing. We can replace the entire condensing unit and evaporator coil ensuring the old refrigerant system is COMPLETELY replaced in the old equipment body, they can replace the whole unit, or call a different service company who’s willing to replace the parts and respond every few months when it continues to be problematic.
Cap tube is 20$ at united. Probably a BC 2 or 3. Easy swap dude. Done so many it don't phase me no more. Easy claps 24/7 so easy especially on that model I carry BC1-3 on my van
Doing it isn’t the problem, it’s that unlike your experiences half the time it need replacing for me they were back to problematic within a few months. I have had some success but it’s not worth the repair roulette for me. That thing has a fairly new compressor.. why? Cuz the old one windings went bad and corrupted the system maybe, Doesn’t look like a new dryer tho does it? Someone swapped a compressor and left a poisoned system behind. Not this guy. They can get mad at me, I really want to be the guy who fixes it, but I’ll end up being the guy every few months being expected to warranty it.. nah
