Big gap between evaporator and blower normal?

550 Views 12 Replies 5 Participants Last post by surferdude2, Feb 27, 2020

Max78

Discussion Starter · Feb 24, 2020

Hi All,

New to the forum but not new to DIY stuff.

I have some questions about my HVAC unit.

I was cleaning the evaporator and blower when I noticed that there is a rather large gap between the 2. I have no idea if this is supposed to be like this. I was thinking that maybe its to allow air to flow around the unit and create low pressure helping draw air through the evaporator.

Then I realize I over analyze everything and this is a manufactured house and I'm just being too hopeful they didn't cut corners.

Anyways here are some pictures of the unit if someone could share some knowledge.

And they rotated to odd directions after attached so ys. . .

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user_12345a

· #2 · Feb 24, 2020

Air should not be allowed to bypass the coil.

I can't tell if there's a problem based on the pics.

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Max78

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 24, 2020

Well then, I have a problem. . . .

There is about a 1" gap between the coil and blower that air is to bypass right around the coil. . .

The front of the coil is mounted directly to the blower but on the back side it looks like someone put some rolled up velcro to level the unit which created a large gap??? I don't get it.

Any ideas what to use to seal it that wont be likely to get sucked into the blower. Aluminum tape and mastic on the coil side?

The other thing I worry about is maybe they did that to get the pressure in an acceptable range. . . Is this something I should have tested by a professional?

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user_12345a

· #4 · Feb 24, 2020

It's odd to have a gap in an air handler because they chip from factory with a perfectly matching coil.

Do you know if the coil was replaced before?

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surferdude2

· #5 · Feb 24, 2020 (Edited)

If you can't determine an easy way to get it back together, you can use some metal flashing strips or aluminum backed foil to seal it off. Check to be sure it isn't pulling down too hard on the isolation joint above. You may have to raise the unit up an inch all the way around.

That's a very odd jacked-up situation. Is there any evidence that the house has a problem with settling affecting any areas?

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Max78

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 25, 2020

I think it is original to the house considering there is Sheetrock mud all over the blower and the coil. I do not know if it has ever been serviced or not.

Someone intentionally put those pieces in there so I really have no idea what they were thinking. My only worry is someone did it to cheat and get the static pressure into an acceptable range. . .

I think I will simply fill the gap with the adhesive backed foil and not move the unit in any way shape or form. Its been working just fine for the 3 years we have been here so I'm going to leave it alone.

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surferdude2

· #7 · Feb 25, 2020

Maybe that was somebody's way of having a second return air to solve some problem like a door closing off an area from the lone return air in another area. Who knows what some genius can come up with? :smile:

I'm sure it's the main reason you had to clean the coil. Your plan sound OK for such a small gap.

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beenthere

· #8 · Feb 25, 2020

That's a down flow air handler. The gap you see, is the room needed for the sir coming out of the coil, to enter the blower.

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Max78

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 26, 2020

beenthere said:
That's a down flow air handler. The gap you see, is the room needed for the sir coming out of the coil, to enter the blower.

I'm not sure you are seeing it correctly. The gap as shown is allowing air to bypass around the coil. I have since taped it up with aluminum tape and we will see if that changes anything.

Still have a ton of airflow so that's a good sign!

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surferdude2

· #10 · Feb 26, 2020

I don't think I was seeing it right either. I thought the coil box was not fitting to the furnace all the way around. Now I see it differently... looks like someone may have wedged something under the end of the coil to maybe make it drain better. Who knows?

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Bob...

· #11 · Feb 27, 2020

surferdude2 said:
I don't think I was seeing it right either. I thought the coil box was not fitting to the furnace all the way around. Now I see it differently... looks like someone may have wedged something under the end of the coil to maybe make it drain better. Who knows?

That's what it looks like to me too (left rear of coil).

OP: If that's the case, it's probably because the platform isn't level. No big deal as long as the coil drains. I probably would have shimmed up the furnace with wood, screwed furnace to the platform and sealed with caulk. The air leak is a problem, since you'll lose (unconditioned) cfms into the closet/attic. You seem to have solved it by using metal tape. If the tape tears or breaks loose over time, resealing and using mastic should do the trick.

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beenthere

· #12 · Feb 27, 2020

Okay. Looking at it closer. Looks like someone jacked it up to get a slant toward the drain line.

And never sealed it up.

My mistake on the pic.

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surferdude2

· #13 · Feb 27, 2020

Diagnosis via picture is tough sledding at times. It reminds me of the phrase, "I guess you had to be there." ‹(•¿•)›

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Big gap between evaporator and blower normal?

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