Failing Lennox AC

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

We installed a Lennox HS26-042 (3.5 ton) in 2004, annually maintained. We also have a Lennox G61-MPV furnace. We live in the Kansas City area, cold winters, hot humid summers. Our recent maintenance indicated the condenser fan motor is failing (running very hot) and the contactor pole is arcing. Unit uses R22 coolant also, being phased out. We'd rather wait until next year to replace the unit, and don't think throwing more money into repairing it right now is a good plan. Do you think we can give it another year or do you think we should bite the bullet and replace it now before the peak season?

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capedude

10 years ago

You need to consider how if you are losing refrigerant. R-134a and R-410a are around $60-$80/cylinder in bulk vs $300/cylinder for R-22 in bulk or usually $400 since people don't buy bulk often anymore. If they can't repair or replace the leaking component, and it is a fast leak then you are going to spend a lot in just keeping your system charged.

A condenser motor and contractor shouldn't be too expensive of a repair. The part is several hundred and it isn't a difficult thing to access.

If you are already committing to replacement it in a year and may need a costly repair or emergency replacement before then, I would just do it now. Without something disruptive happening in the market, prices are only going to go up over the next year. Go ahead and replace the coil and condenser (doesn't have to be Lennox) now, but don't let them talk you into replacing the furnace if it is working well.

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Comments (6)

ksmms
Original Author
10 years ago
The furnace is a beaut, runs solid, no problem there. Installed 2008 IIRC. The AC is not yet losing refrigerant.
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mike_home
10 years ago
This sounds like the tech doing your annual maintenance has decided it is time he sells you a new condenser and coil. How does he know the fan is "running very hot"? Did he measure the temperature? Contactors are going to arc when they open and close. There is a lot of inductance in the compressor and motor. If the contactor looks warn, then it can be easily replaced. I would rather replace a contactor then spend thousands on a new condener and coil.

If you do not have a leak, then I don't see the urgency for replacement. The only risk is a break down during the summer, but a fan and contactor are common replacement parts and easily replaced. A 12 year old AC should easily go another 5 years.
klem1
10 years ago
^ What Mike said. ^
weedmeister
10 years ago
Contactors don't cost that much, maybe $20. And a 'hot' condenser fan motor may just need some lubrication.
nerdyshopper
10 years ago
I have a Lennox heat pump. A few years ago the tech found that the cooling fan motor bearings were worn out and needed an expensive replacement. I said I would think it over. I checked Grainger supply on the internet and found several motors to replace mine for very little. I turned off the breaker to the heat pump and opened the cabinet after removing a lot of screws. I lifted up the top cover and the fan was there with a protective cover for the motor. Took the motor out and stuck in a new one that was heavier and rated for a higher operating temperature. It has rum perfectly ever since. If you or a friend have any electrical experience, this if a

do-it-yourself job. If not you could ask the tech how much it would cost to just replace the fan motor.