Leak in the System - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| unni
 |  "Leak in the System"
, posted Fri 10 Oct 06:03  
A/C Technician performed a nitrogen test and found out that the capilaries from the distribution unit in the inside unit is leaking. He claims that this cannot be repaired and the complete coild needs to be replaced. Is this true? Can the distributor and the capilaries be replaced?
Thanks a lot for your help
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Replies:
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| jmar
| "Re(1):Leak in the System" , posted Fri 10 Oct 18:07
typically the cost to repair cap tubes with 40/60 solder and white paste flux and reaming the distributor to reinsert cap tubes is very time consuming and will cost as much as the replacement of the coil. It depends on the manufacture whether or not it can be replaced. But even if you can get the distributor and cap tube, its still easier just to replace the coil as a whole. The cost to repair with new cap tube etc if part is available would probably be the same or more, starting with a new evap coil makes more sense.
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| | jmar
| "Re(2):Leak in the System" , posted Fri 10 Oct 18:12
forgot to mention your also talking about the area i live in which the going rate for repair is 120-175 per hour depending on who you call, not to mention the cost of parts, the misc charges such as torch fee, brazing rod fee, vacum pup fee, nitro fee, reclaim fee (if system cant be pumped down) those misc charges depending on who you call can vary again from 75 to 100 extra dollars, not including any freon needing to be added..... My point is Im sure its absurd to many in different areas of the country but the bottom line is the system is flat no freon in it, your going to need a good vacum done and recharge might as well replace the coil, never know if there might be a trace leak in the ubend or in the fins somewhere.
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| | unni
| "Re(3):Leak in the System" , posted Fri 10 Oct 20:26
Thanks a lot - going with a replacement coil
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| | Schock Therapy
| "Re(4):Leak in the System" , posted Sat 11 Oct 01:04
It's too bad you don't have a more skilled technician. If the leak is on the distributor it should not be that hard to repair, and certainly would be quicker and cheaper than replacing the coil. Unless the coil was in very poor condition, I would have spent the 30 min required to attempt a repair before condemning it.
It's only a shock if your not expecting it!
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| | unni
| "Re(5):Leak in the System" , posted Sat 11 Oct 08:11
The leak is in the capilaries between the distributor and the bigger tube. The system is 8 years old and his concern was that there may be other pinhole leaks which may surface once this is fixed and may end up costing more. Unfortunately these items only have a 5 year warranty.
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| | Freon
| "Re(6):Leak in the System" , posted Sat 11 Oct 13:28
Unfortunately the OP never told us where the leak was-- probably because the 'tech' didn't show him. We don't know if it's a pinhole or a joint or how easy to gain access. An 8 yr old coil is not old...
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| | unni
| "Re(7):Leak in the System" , posted Sun 12 Oct 08:30
It is a pinhole leak (hole acutally appears to be as large as a pin head) in the one of the capilaries, about an inch from the distributor. It was definitely not rubbing against another cap or the walls where the leak was so must have been a weak spot.
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| | Schock Therapy
| "Re(8):Leak in the System" , posted Sun 12 Oct 23:35
Wow! So repairing it wouldn't have been even the slightest bit difficult! Honestly, some guys out there are just thinking about taking customers for as much money as they can! It is highly unlikely that an 8 year old evap coil would be in such poor condition that it isn't worth fixing, particularly when the fix is so easy! A repair like that should take max 1 - 2 hours start to finish. If you ask me your technician is screwing you over!
How much has he quoted for the coil replacement?
It's only a shock if your not expecting it!
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| | unni
| "Re(9):Leak in the System" , posted Mon 13 Oct 15:28
Total damage of $750... (part cost $333)
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