Issues with Trane central AC system

7 years ago

Hello. I am having a problem with my central AC system in a house that I just bought. I was not prepared for a major problem like this after a month in new home. I live in Florida, the AC brand is Trane and model is TWE036C140F1. I have a indoor and outdoor unit, both are 22 years old but some major repair was done 8 years ago, it was invoiced for $4000.

I think the problem started a week ago, I noticed that the AC does not cool as fast as before and it was on most of the time. Than the AC got frozen in the evening 2 days ago, a huge ice cube built up on the evaporator coils and I noticed a pretty big water leak on the floor. I turned the AC off, turned the Fan on and replaced the filter after unit dried out. After running 3 hours it got frozen again in the night. I turned it off and called for service first thing in the morning.

The contractor said that it out of refrigerant and the best thing to do is to replace the whole system (quoted me for $4800). I paid for the service and said that I will shop around first. I than called other contractor who showed up the next day. He confirmed that its low on refrigerant. He added a can of some "Stop Leak" and filled the AC with new R-22 refrigerant. He said that I should get a year or two out of the AC but I should start gathering money for new system. He checked that the vent air lowered from 69 to 58 Fahrenheits. I paid him $300 and spend the rest of the day with a smiley face.

My hapiness did not last long. As soon as I went into bed, I heard a water dripping sound. Than the AC was shutting off every 30 minutes and spilled lots of water right after switching off. I haven't seen it freeze yet though.

Just one more thing that I noticed, this is not a 100% reliable information but it worked with every try so far.

The AC shuts off and spills water only when I switch Fan Mode on thermostat from "On" to "Auto". Just tried two different variations and it worked that way every time. Right now the Fan is "On" and it did not leak any water since I switched it 2 hours ago.

When the AC unit was freezing the Fan Mode was switched to "Auto" as well.

During the day, before the HVAC guy filled it up with refrigerant, the thermostat Fan Mode was switched to "On" and the AC was working until todays evening when I switched it to "Auto".

Is this something that might be a cause?

Maybe I'm just oversensitive about that AC now but I think that the fan wasn't as loud as it is now. Or maybe it just wasn't constantly running as it was always to switched to "Auto" position.

One more thing is that when the "cooling" mode turns on, the air handler unit makes a hissing sound, maybe a little bit bubbly. It's the same sound as when you turn on gas heater.

What could be causing the issue?
What would you suggest?

I would appreciate any help. Thank you!

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Comments (4)

tigerdunes
7 years ago
not what you want to hear but the system is R22 refrigerant and 22 yrs old. It's done its job. Any further repair effort is a waste of time and your resources and just postponing the inevitable. Start gathering quotes for a full replacement.

IMO
PRO
Austin Air Companie
7 years ago
In my experience *stop leak* for central HVAC systems does not work. These are mostly temporary things that at best slow the leak down, but do not ultimately *fix* anything.

Temporary means anything from a few months to a year at best.

R22 production ends this year, Dec 31. 2019. While there is ample supply currently this refrigerant will become more costly as time goes on.

The cure is unfortunately replace the equipment. You can continue to use R22 as long as the leaks are fixed. In most cases this involves replacing the indoor evaporator coil. However, a 22 year old system --- it's not likely it has much life left.

The risk is that you replace the E-coil to fix the leaks and a short time later the out door condenser breaks again causing you to have to replace that.

In addition to that, if you go piece meal as I lay out above... this requires skill to do this kind of work. The danger is if you hire someone with less skill (cheaper price usually) the system still gives you fits a short time later.

I am a licensed HVAC contractor with nearly 25 years experience that does all my own service work. (No techs or Subs) ----- I service the Katy, Texas area.
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tigerdunes
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Stop Leak can work sometimes but you can bet it will only be a temporary fix, with length of time it works to be unknown...just like a vehicle's leaking radiator...I recently used it on a leaky Evap coil and it held for several weeks until the new matching Evap coil could be installed...

IMO
mike_home
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
The fan being in the on or auto position has nothing to do with the problem you are seeing. I suspect that running the fan constantly is delaying the coil from freezing up. But eventually all the refrigerant will leak out and all that you will get is warm air. The fan being louder is probably because the fan is running all the time. The hissing sound could be related to the refrigerant leak.

Post the model numbers of the equipment you have been quoted so far. If you are not getting models numbers and a description of the work then continue getting quotes.