Q&A on air conditioner or heat pump compressor motor replacement requirements & procedures.

This air conditioning repair article series describes the basic steps involved in replacing a burned out air conditioner compressor.

FAQs about Air Conditioner / Heat Pump Compressor Replacement

These questions & answers about the process of replacing the compressor motor in a heat pump or air conditioner unit were posted originally

at COMPRESSOR MOTOR REPLACEMENT - check the details given there.

On 2012-10-18 y Steve

What would cause the wire connections to the compressor to burn up?

On 2011-11-27 by (mod) - compresor replacement comment from insurance adjuster

Jeremy the compressor replacement procedure involves some extra time and care for the replacement to be successful, including evacuating and cleaning the existing refrigerant system, possible replacement of other parts that may have been damaged during the burn-up such as refrigerant metering devices, and installation, perhaps even more than once, of filter/driers on the refrigerant piping. In sum, in my OPINION, the cost to replace a burned-out compressor with one of equal capacity, is probably a bit higher than the original installation cost - extra work is involved.

On 2011-11-20 by Jeremy Emert

I am a claims adjuster. Writing an estimate to replace a 3 ton compressor (Goodman).

Got an estimate for $1865.87 which seems high. I am putting in to remove and replace the compressor, recharge refrigerant, anything else needed? Does this price seem high?

On 2011-08-12 by (mod) -

Donna your HVAC tech will select a replacement compressor of the same capacity as the original.

The "TX Valve" probably refers to the thermostatic expansion valve. That is the device, usually in the air handler, that meters refrigerant into the cooling coil. Details are at THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES (article link at page left near the bottom of the links list)

On 2011-08-12 by Donna Gagnon

Could you please answer a few questions for me
I need to replace my compressor in my unit 2.5 ton unit model # KAC030KAK4 Kenmore

Which compressor will fit my unit
ZR38K5-PFV-830. ZR28K5-PFV-830

What is TX Valve

Thanks for your time
E- mail sillyone

On 2011-08-11 by (mod) -

Samm, because we no longer use R12 / R22 refrigerants, your new compressor will be designed for one of the newer refrigerant gases.

But in order to not have to change out many more components, discuss with your HVAC company installing a compressor motor that will allow use of R134 or a gas that can be used with the old cooling coil. Even so the refrigerant metering device may need adjustment.

IN any case replacement compressors are certainly available from your supplier including a compatible but not identical model.

On 2011-08-10 by samm

my compressor carrier model 06DA502000 is burned-out 7.5 ton, can i found this type of model know? ,if i found it can replace it if the central hvac buliding snice 1987 and some corrision apear in evaporater fin

On 2011-08-07 by (mod) -

Joe the "plain old orifice" is also referred to as a capillary tube or cap tube - easily blocked by debris or even a slug of refrigerant oil. Interesting to read there is no dryer on the system.

SOP in many areas is that whenever we cut open refrigerant piping - say to replace a compressor unit - we install a filter/dryer at that time. In fact if a compressor has burned up and is being replaced we install a special burnout filter/dryer to try to catch the debris that the burn-up puts into the piping system.

See REFRIGERANT DRIERS & FILTERS under "REFRIGERANTS" in the ARTICLE INDEX found near the end of this page.

On 2011-08-06 by Joe

Talked with the tech again today and he now thinks the blockage may be in the condensor coil right after the compressor. The plan is to disconnect the compressor back flush the condensor coil with high pressure nitrogen and see if the blockage can be discharged.

This system does not have a TEV valve just a plain old orfice. It also does not have a dryer anywhere in the system. I also looked at the lines from the condensor to the evaporator and the do not appear to have any damage anywhere.

( lines set runs from the evaporator in the ceiling to the condensor). The orginal compressor was locked up tight and the tech said he did not see any contamination in the lines. The high side pressure was running around 150 psig and low 22 in hg vacuum.

Thanks for your help and will let you know how this one turns out. Oh, I am an automotive tech and do have some refrigation training however I was just watching and assisting the Tech on this job since he seemed to be having some trouble.

On 2011-08-06 16:50:36.385409 by (mod) -

Joe I'm reluctant to second guess the tech that was on the scene, but indeed it does sound as if there is a blockage. Other blockages occur besides at the TEV, such as at a dryer in the refrigerant piping, and on occasion a blocked coil.

On 2011-08-06 11:23:41.250676 by Joe

We just had a compressor failure on a 5 ton r-22 Ac unite only. The compressor was replaced by the tech lines purged and checked and recharged. The system quickly goes into Vacuum 20 plus inches Hg. Showing a blockage somewhere.

I watched the tech take the orfice valve apart and check it again and purge the lines and revacuum.....still going into Vacuum on the low side.

This man is an older tech who has been in the Ac business for 50 years and he seem to be puzzled. Oh, The tech said that on inspection of the orfice both times it was clear and their was no contamination. Any Help?

On 2011-07-19 00:01:53.471844 by (mod) -

Muhammad you're right, we haven't described in detail how and where to hook up gauges, pull a vaccum, measure and install the proper refrigerant charge.

Those are steps that should be performed by a trained HVAC service tech. I've been reluctant to add that detail - it could actually be dangerous for someone untrained to attempt and certainly they would not have the proper equipment. Should that information be here?

On 2011-07-17 06:50:07.129272 by muhammad jahangir

the information does not provide the on ground procedure for air evacuation and gas filling. what tools, instruments are required? what pressures are required after air evacuation and gas filling? which gasses are used to recharge the system? etc. etc.

Question: Voltas Plus 1.5 Ton window ADC not working

(July 5, 2014) karan said:
i have the voltas plus 1.5 ton window ac the unit turns on and the fan works but I can't get the compressor to kick on. I have tired turning the power on and off. Unplugging the unit. Changing modes from "cool" to "fan" and back to "cool". Any suggestion..?

Reply:

Karan

for diagnostics to address an air conditioner that won't start, please see

AIR CONDITIONER WON'T START

I suspect a bad control or a seized compressor motor

Question: replacement compressor motor now won't work

(Oct 10, 2014) RJ said:
Compressor on a spilit system air conditioning unit was replaced about a year ago, now the newer compressor wont operate.

Checked the freon and blacken in color, what is the correct way to clean the system before installation of another compressor?

Reply:

The system is emptied of refrigerant, a vacuum pulled for at least 24 hours, and a special burnout filter drier is installed along with the new compressor motor.

...

Continue reading at COMPRESSOR MOTOR REPLACEMENT - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• BURNED-OUT COMPRESSOR
• CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS
• COMPRESSOR CONDENSER - home
• DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE A/C or HEAT PUMP
• DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS A/C or HEAT PUMP
• HARD STARTING COMPRESSOR MOTORS
• TIGHT or SEIZED AC COMPRESSORS

Suggested citation for this web page

COMPRESSOR MOTOR REPLACEMENT FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMPS

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