Any Central AirConditioning People out there?

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Christopher Laurencio

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My Central A/C unit stopped working yesterday, the outside unit fan does not turn on and I cannot hear the compressor working either. The inside portion above the furnace is blowing air. For the last two years there is a slight momentary squeal noise when the A/C would kick-on, the noise was comming from the outside portion. On Sunday the outside unit sounded like it was loose or or out of balance?



Any suggestions.
 
The fan motor may have gone out. It isn't hard to replace. I did mine myself when it went out on a HOT Saturday morning last summer. The plumber/H&A guy that I usually use couldn't get here until Monday or Tuesday so I waded into it and saved myself probably $100 for the service call. The motor went out because the aluminum fan blades had warped and put the motor out of balance. It was easy to replace. If you do try be sure to turn off the main circuit breaker to the A/C unit. You sure don't want the fan to start up while you have your hand in there.



Good Luck

Harpo
 
Ben,



I checked the fan blades and they spin easily, I checked the breaker's last night, I know there is a huge breaker of some sort on the outside of the house, I have no idea how that should look or operate. The fan does not come on at all. Someone suggested turning on the unit and helping out the fan by pushing it to start, didn't work.



 
Check the fuse /breaker that is outside the house connected to the outside unit, check the breakers in the circuit box. If it's low on freon the compressor will not kick on either. Call a service tech.
 
Sounds susciciouly like a compressor problem. The obviouis key here is finding someone that will analyze and recommend a repair based upon the problem, and not just selling you a new compressor.



The breaker on the outside of the house is basically for the compressor unit (which includes the fan). Open it, and see if it's tripped. Just remember, being tripped doesn't necissairly mean it has to be all the way down.



You are probably going to need a good technican to come take a look.



Tex
 
It's probobly the breaker or a fuse in the disconnect at the unit. If it were a bad part, either the compressor or fan would probobly be running. Also check the thermostat wire that runs to the unit, weed wackers will cut them or pull the connection apart.



Gene
 
There is a fuse on the outside unit. We had the same problem on one of our office units and the a/c guy only had to change a fuse.





Wolf
 
One note, if they want to replace the compressor, it's worth the money for a second opinion - unless you are confident the first one is telling you the straight story.



I had one like that some years ago. First guy wanted to sell me a $1,500 + new compressor. I called my insurance agent (by the way - your insurance agent can be a great source for a referral/recommendation on someone to call) and he gave me a guy to call. Total fix was about $150.00, including the new freon.



Tex
 
Tex, if it's a new compressor I might ask my Dad to replace it for me, he works on Thermo King units and rebuilds frezzer box compressors for supermarkets. It's possible he may be able to get me a cosmetically damaged unit, I'm keeping my fingers crossed .
 
Can't speak for your unit but on my A/C, the breaker that you mentioned on the outside right above the A/C unit is actually a couple of monster fuses about the size of a .410 shell. I just pull the handle and the two fuses come out with it....that's how I turn it off. You might try replacing the fuses first but fuses blow for a reason...they don't just get old and give up.



Harpo
 
I think you are referring to the capacitors? If yes, I beleive they hold a "charge" to give an extra thump of juice for the amp draw the compressor needs to get moving, I beleive my dad told me last night that I most likely have a multi-stage compressor that does not utilize that system. But he did say they get old and stop working, I dunno.



The tech should be there shortly, keep your fingers crossed for me.
 
I'd have to take a second look but I don't think what I'm talking about are capacitors. Just sit back and let the guy do it..... and then write a check. Much easier that way.:D



Harpo
 
OK, and Freon is expensive right? If that's the case the new unit would not come with it? If yes, perhaps my Dad should install the new one, he has a Freon Recovery system for his work.
 
They do not come 'charged', as it has to be connected to the balance of the system. They will charge it after it is connectod and can hold a good vacuum.



Yes, freon is now very expensive - but should be included in the overall price if a new compressor is needed.



Tex
 
I told him, I just wanted the fan, he siad he might have an entire new unit laying around for $700:unsure::blink::huh::wacko:
 
Ben, He said Lennox Brand, that's what I have now, he needs to make sure if it's a 4,5 or 6 ton?



My house is listed for sale, so I will most likely go with just the fan, but if I can get the entire unit for $250 more that's a great selling point, the cooling fins on the condensor have a rotted/missing part, it's been like that since I got the house.



Ben, is Lennox any good?
 
Ben, it's a 4 bedroom 10 room center hall colonial, problem is the house is only one zone. If the fan wnet some time yesterday, could the compressor have overheated? Or is there a safety on them to shut down?
 
I had a problem like that with my unit at my lake house there was a capisitor that would not kick my outside fan on cost me $135 to fix labor & parts if your unit is low on freon your pipes going from outside unit into house will have ice frozen on them
 
The house was constructed in 1989 I assume the unit is original, is that type of Freon still available?
 
as for as I know they did not change the freon in house units like car units



JD
 
$450 bad fan motor,
Click to expand...

:eek: YIKES!!



Things must sure be higher in NJ than they are in OK. I know I didn't pay much more than a 100 bucks for the motor and fan and like I said I replaced it myself. Nothing to it....4 screws to remove the cover and 3 or 4 screws for the fan motor... wire it up like the old one with the wire nuts and close it up....15, 20 minutes tops.







Harpo
 
Fan motor $50.00 to $100.00 service call $75.00 to $150.00 depending on where you are located. I replaced my fan motor for $45.00, it lasted a year and something else croaed. Service call to diagnose and give estimate cost me $75.00 to find out the wanted $2800.00 for a new unit. I called a friend of mine in Bimingham and he charged me $1200.00 to bring a 1/2 ton bigger unit over and install it. He paid $465.00 for the unit and the rest was his, less travel expenses. We were both happy.
 
He is probobly quoting a Lennox branded part. A generic brand motor will definately be cheaper. also replace the capacitor at the same time. Very cheap insurance. I can't tell you how many times a capacitor will fail within a year of a motor replacement.



The box outside the house near the A/C is the disconnect, it may or may not have fuses. The capacitors are inside the unit.



Freon in your unit will be R-22, it is still being used. Some manufacturers are using things like Puron, or other freon blends.



Like Ben said the compressor will shut down if the fan isn't running.



All condensors (the outdoor portion of an air onditioner) come pre-charged. After the unit is connected the lineset is pulled down to a deep vacuum, then the valves on the condensor are opened up and the unit charge is topped off.



Gene
 
I would get a second opinion. $450.00 is high just for a condenser fan motor. A compressor will run for awhile until the head pressure shuts it down. If you decide to change the fan motor make sure you keep the old part and have it checked out at a good motor shop. I have worked both in the civilian side, commerical (Burger King) side and the government side (city). I have worked on a/c's (central, split, window, roof tops and chillers). You just need to make sure that the repairs are warranted by a good company. Check with the B.B.B.

Barry
 
Well, I talked to my Dad who rebulids ThermoKing units and he said pretty much what you guys said, the price is a little high, but he figured about $200-$250 for a fan motor for a 4 ton unit. He said he could easily get it for me, but with gas prices and the fact that my dad is 65 and lives on the other side of NJ it would take weeks to fix and the fact that I already owe the tech $87 or so for the initial call, it would be a marginal change in total cost for me. The new unit the guy has for $700 is a 5 ton, he said it would run "inneficient" in my house if I now have a 4 ton, :wacko:.



The tech said there was osme sort of electrical component not functioning properly? Maybe that's being replaced as well?



In any event the house is currently for sale so the least cost the better, I would have went for the newer one if it was compatible just for better re-sale value. But that's ok if it works, it works.



Thanks for the help, I will let you know if things work out.



BTW - Why would a 5 ton work harder than a 4 ton?
 
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