A/C freezing: this is a pickle
#1
05-21-19, 08:24 AM
A/C freezing: this is a pickle
My AC is freezing over. It does so in 15 to 30 minutes. The freezing goes from my basement out to my outdoor unit, though to a lesser degree as it goes outside. I am nearly certain I have plenty of coolant and my filter is clean. The third picture is the outside unit and you can see how the it has condensation on it.
What are your thoughts questions suggestions?
What are your thoughts questions suggestions?
Last edited by PJmax; 05-21-19 at 09:08 AM. Reason: resized pictures
#2
05-21-19, 09:03 AM
Oh, I forgot to mention that when I shut off my ac I went back downstairs to check out the unit. When I got there the furnace shut off and a stream of water poured out the condensation line right when it shut off. That seemed odd to me.
#3
05-21-19, 09:10 AM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
Your evaporator coil is icing over. That's where all that condensate came from when it melted.
Poor airflow and low refrigerant are the two causes of your problem.
You can't guess if the charge is correct. It needs to be checked with gauges.
Your evaporator coil is icing over. That's where all that condensate came from when it melted.
Poor airflow and low refrigerant are the two causes of your problem.
You can't guess if the charge is correct. It needs to be checked with gauges.
#4
05-21-19, 09:18 AM
Thank you Pete. I should have added that I had an AC repair man here last summer who charged us up and put the fluid in to show where leaks are coming from. He came back about 2 months later and checked and saw the leak was minor and not an issue. His gauge showed we were still at full. Since it was fully charged last summer and it was checked for leaks I feel it isn't likely to be low refrigerant.
#5
05-21-19, 09:19 AM
Group Moderator
You may be surprised how fast the refrigerant can leak out.
As I mentioned.... there are only two possibilities. If it's not one.... it's the other.
As I mentioned.... there are only two possibilities. If it's not one.... it's the other.
#7
05-21-19, 10:33 AM
Member
If it was low on refrigerant last summer, it’s likely low again.
If you have a leak and know where it is I’d suggest fixing it.
I’ve never known ductwork to get “clogged”.
If you have a leak and know where it is I’d suggest fixing it.
I’ve never known ductwork to get “clogged”.
jatutt88
voted this post useful.
#8
05-21-19, 10:58 AM
New photos
I wanted to do some more checking to see if I could discover the error. I opened up the A coil to look at the inside and found it looking pretty dirty to me. I am going to clean it up but I'm hoping someone might know if this is really bad? Bad enough to be causing the freeze to occur. Check out the photos and tell me what you think please.
Oh, also any advice on how to clean it effectively or for anything to avoid doing to it.
THANKS
Oh, also any advice on how to clean it effectively or for anything to avoid doing to it.
THANKS
Last edited by PJmax; 05-21-19 at 04:17 PM. Reason: resized pictures
#9
05-21-19, 04:21 PM
Group Moderator
The first two pictures are the "air out" side of the coil. That side is always clean.
The air enters the bottom of the coil and that coil is extremely dirty. If it was dry you could carefully vacuum a lot of it out. I have a feeling you're going to need a can or two of coil cleaner spray. The home improvement stores sell it.
You can spray the dirty side of the coil but you need to rinse it out from the clean side. Make sure the condensate line is clean. Be gentle.... you don't want to bend the fins.
The air enters the bottom of the coil and that coil is extremely dirty. If it was dry you could carefully vacuum a lot of it out. I have a feeling you're going to need a can or two of coil cleaner spray. The home improvement stores sell it.
You can spray the dirty side of the coil but you need to rinse it out from the clean side. Make sure the condensate line is clean. Be gentle.... you don't want to bend the fins.
#10
05-21-19, 04:59 PM
Thank you Pete that is very good news for me to have. I didn't realize I needed to be gentle. I will pick up a couple cans of coil cleaner spray and work on it tomorrow. I will update when I get it all done and turn it back on to see if it works?
#11
05-21-19, 05:24 PM
Group Moderator
#12
05-22-19, 07:23 AM
I picked up some Nyco AC coil and fin cleaner. It is the only thing the local hardware store had. I'm concerned it may not be fit for use on my A coil since it doesn't refer to it. It does mention your outside and window units being cleaned with it. Do you know if it is ok to us? Here is a link to the product on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Cleaner-Air-C...sr=1-2-catcorr
#13
05-22-19, 08:06 AM
Member
and saw the leak was minor
#14
05-22-19, 02:09 PM
I couldn't find any AC cleaner at the 4 locations I went to. Sooo, I just cleaned it best I could and put it all back together and my AC now works. Will order some AC cleaner online and work on it in a few day. Thanks for the assistance.
#15
05-22-19, 09:57 PM
Group Moderator
That cleaner is fine for your coil. It's just a generic coil cleaner. They don't list every application.
Just spray it on heavy. Let it soak for a while and using a hose and fresh water rinse from the clean side towards the dirty side.
Just spray it on heavy. Let it soak for a while and using a hose and fresh water rinse from the clean side towards the dirty side.
#16
05-23-19, 08:04 AM
Thanks, someone at Lowes told me it was different and much more potent than what I would use for inside the A coil. But unfortunately they were out of stock on it.
