A/C question

[ScubaLatt]

Guys:

I have an older model 220V window A/C 18,000 BTU at the camp in Toledo. It blows very cold and is(was) very dependable. Lately, though, the coils freeze up after a couple of hours running. Do any of you know what may cause this?

Puzzled in Da' Bluff!

[PaulMyers]

Sounds like it may be low on freon.

[wtretrievers]

Either dirty coils or low on freon. Stines has a coil cleaner in a spray bottle that works well. Just becareful it's a mild acid. Try that 1st. If Still freezing up most likely low on freon.

[ScubaLatt]

is it easy to add freon?

[cduhon]

2 most common reasons are dirty coils or low on freon. Could be many other things but those are most common.

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[weedeater]

I have on in my rent house that runs fine on high cool but if you switch it to low or medium cool it freezes up.... I keep it on high so its all good

[cduhon]

Originally Posted by ScubaLatt

is it easy to add freon?

Most older units do not have service ports, but yours might. If it has one then yes it is easy to add. If not then you would have to tap the line and add a port.

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[ScubaLatt]

Originally Posted by weedeater

I have on in my rent house that runs fine on high cool but if you switch it to low or medium cool it freezes up.... I keep it on high so its all good

Mine did the same thing. On hi, no freeze. put it on med and it freezes. However, left it on high last sat pm and it froze there too.

My step dad estimates it to be about 20 years old.

[ScubaLatt]

Originally Posted by cduhon

Most older units do not have service ports, but yours might. If it has one then yes it is easy to add. If not then you would have to tap the line and add a port.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

Probably easier to buy a new or used one.

[Top Dawg]

Probably dirty.

[biggun]

Get U some cleaner. Take unit out of case. Bring to car wash. spray some cleaner on coils. Let foam up. Dirt will come out. Wash dirty out of coil backwards.

[QUACKHEAD]

Originally Posted by biggun

Get U some cleaner. Take unit out of case. Bring to car wash. spray some cleaner on coils. Let foam up. Dirt will come out. Wash dirty out of coil backwards.

ditto. What he said.

[latravcha]

Be cafeful with the cleaner. I have seen it eat the coils

[mriguy]

Carwash good idea but put plastic bag over motor to try not to get motor wet. If motor gets wet use a heatgun to dry off motor.

[BigChaf]

Also make sure the filter is clean.

[mallard matt]

I am an a/c technician you have a dirty eveporater coil.do not use a pressure washer
you need to take the covers off and find the evaporater coil inside and spray some coil cleaner on it the rinse very thoroughly with a garden hose with lite pressure if not youll bend the fins and inhibit your air flow

[ScubaLatt]

Originally Posted by mallard matt

I am an a/c technician you have a dirty eveporater coil.do not use a pressure washer
you need to take the covers off and find the evaporater coil inside and spray some coil cleaner on it the rinse very thoroughly with a garden hose with lite pressure if not youll bend the fins and inhibit your air flow

Thanks, will do that next weekend when I get there

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by mallard matt

I am an a/c technician you have a dirty eveporater coil.do not use a pressure washer
you need to take the covers off and find the evaporater coil inside and spray some coil cleaner on it the rinse very thoroughly with a garden hose with lite pressure if not youll bend the fins and inhibit your air flow

What is the best kind of cleaner to use to clean the condenser coils outside of your house and where can I buy it?

And..... after you clean the coils, how do you know if you got it all cleaned? Should you take the protective grill off while doing this so a brush could be used to clean the "fins" a little better?

[mr1bienvenu]

It's not a dirty coil. It's got a leak and you are low on freon.