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High pressure line (not hot)

124K views 171 replies 13 participants last post by  COLDIRON 
#1 ·
My a/c seems to be working fine, but today is was 98'f.

My high pressure line outside is not hot, the low side is very cool to the touch. After checking 3 neighbors units, all their high pressure lines are pretty warm to the touch. My line seems like its maybe 70-80'f,
and the low side is like 40'f

What could be wrong with my unit ?

Seems to cool the house fine, and the unit runs for maybe 10-15 minutes, then turns off and on as its called for by thermostat.
 
#2 ·
I'm guessing since I don't know the pressures. Restricted condenser coil or Liquid line dryer, if it is installed inside of the condenser.
 
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#9 ·
If the unit is keeping the proper temps and everything seems in order I wouldn't mess with it.
I would get through the season then at next years startup and maintenance I would have everything checked out.

Maybe all your neighbors units are running hot and yours is normal.
 
#93 ·
If it ain't broke, don't fix it........

Is this a heat pump? My heat pump has been working tirelessly for the past few weeks.....100+ now for about two weeks. The high pressure NEVER gets hot to the touch.
 
#12 ·
the liquid line is high pressure not high heat. the whole point of the condenser is to take the very hot high pressure gas that comes out of the compressor and cool it down to a warm not-as-high pressure liquid as it exits the condenser. my liquid lines are typically only slightly warmer than ambient. you should have hot air blowing out the top as the fan extracts the heat from the line.

if the line is too hot something is wrong.
 
#51 · (Edited)
Here are where we need the temperatures




It was 85-87'f outside today.

Suction line temp:

Liquid line temp:

Suction line pressure 75 psi

Liquid line pressure 240 psi
 
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#122 ·
liquid line is the small line where liquid refrigerant will be traveling OUT of the condenser. suction line is the large line where vapor refrigerant will be traveling INTO the condenser. so you want to make sure the filter arrow is pointing away from the condenser.

typically, the filter drier is replaced anytime there is maintenance on a system where the lines are evacuated. i don't know if there is an exact timeframe that they would need to be replaced in.
 
#127 · (Edited)
Yep, what he said.

Most homeowners don't have the tools or knowledge to make good flares on refrigerant line, but if you have the tools and the confidence then I say "Git'r done!" This especially true since you won't be doing a nitrogen purge.

As NitroNate said, make sure the arrow is pointing towards the evaporator coil (indoor coil).

I think that if you do run into that hack again you should be the one teaching him how to work on equipment.

Most of the time the filter-drier is put inside on new installs just to avoid corrosion of the filter-drier. It isn't really that important on a system as old as yours. Put it wherever it's easiest.
 
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#129 ·
Another reason to put the filter drier close to the indoor coil is so that it will catch any crap in the liquid line before it gets to the metering device.

I really hope this works out for you!
 
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#137 ·
#152 ·
You might want to get a quart of vacuum pump oil while you are at the supply house. Vacuum pumps don't pull down to a good micron level if the oil is contaminated.
 
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#163 ·
At least gixxer1000 isn't planning on dumping 8 lbs of R22 and pretending like it's no big deal, like the "HVAC Technician" who so graciously helped this morning did. It burns me to know that someone pretending to be an AC tech would pull something like that and get perturbed when confronted about it.

I've been in the trade for 25 years and worked long and hard to get my HVAC license and all my refrigerant certifications, but I have no problems giving advice and help to a homeowner who is conscientious about the responsibility of handling HCFC type refrigerants.
 
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#165 ·
At least gixxer1000 isn't planning on dumping 8 lbs of R22 and pretending like it's no big deal, like the "HVAC Technician" who so graciously helped this morning did. It burns me to know that someone pretending to be an AC tech would pull something like that and get perturbed when confronted about it.

I've been in the trade for 25 years and worked long and hard to get my HVAC license and all my refrigerant certifications, but I have no problems giving advice and help to a homeowner who is conscientious about the responsibility of handling HCFC type refrigerants.

Again...THANKYOU FOR EVERYBODYS HELP...

I could see no more help coming..and I could understand that.

I'll let you know how I make out ..
 
#164 ·
I disagree about the forum. For the most part it offers sound advice for the DIY. But in your case you must admit that your post escalated and transformed from a simple question about high pressure line temp to a service call.
And as far as your capability....I have no doubt that you can perform this task with your unit. I've done a lot of hvac work way back when the license wasn't required, and I am sure many still find ways to get the refrigerant w/o a license. Good luck to you.
 
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