How to diagnose high head pressures at the air conditioning or heat pump compressor: What are the causes of high head pressure at an air conditioner or heat pump compressor motor? This article lists twelve causes of high head pressure and explains their causes, effects, and diagnosis. Some of these, such as a bad TXV or clogs in the refrigeration system are cited as the most common causes of high compressor head pressure. This air conditioning repair article series discusses the the diagnosis and correction of abnormal air conditioner refrigerant line pressures as a means for evaluating the condition of the air conditioner compressor motor, which in turn, is a step in how we evaluate and correct lost or reduced air conditioner cooling capacity. Below we list a dozen causes of high head pressure in an air conditioner or heat pump compressor motor. Of these, debris clogging or malfunctioning TXVs seem to be the most common problems. Note: air or water contamination in HVACR systems is common and can be introduced by a tech who does not purge air from gauge hoses before attaching the refrigerant gauge or by failure to evacuate the system when refrigerant has been lost and the system is to be repaired and re-charged.

Installation of a filter/drier should also always be included in such repairs. Experts note that the symptoms of air contamination and refrigerant overcharge can be similar. ACHR NEWS calls these "non-condensibles" in the refrigeration system. 6 Aug 2015 Tim nordyke said: I had a lennox system that had a very weird set of symptoms. It was an r22 3ton that was around 20 yrs old. In the course of 10 days the system kept popping the high head pressure switch (8 times total) yet the temp difference between intake and output (inside) was only 6 degrees. The AC tech from the home warranty co. blamed it all on a 20% damage area to the condenser from corrosion, and his test set was a clamp on amp meter. He never once connected gauges to check high/low pressures. 10 days after first incident, the compressor locked up and gave up the ghost. When the new system was being brought in, the installer noted the pressure in the system (both sides) was only at 100# and the ambient temp was 95 degrees (per the gauges), the installers claim that the old system did not have enough refrigerant, and that the TEV was clogged/jammed.

Does this sound right?? Too little freon, clogged TEV, 6 degree drop from intake to output, and still pop high head pressure? This question appeared originally at OVER CHARGED of REFRIGERANT, EFFECTSOne cause of high head pressure is clogging or crimping in the condensing coil. I guess the tech is seeing sometihng we don't or she was not an English major and is not a great communicator who didn't explain in more detail how the problem was traced to the coil. Perhaps the thought was that internal corrosion was causing the condensing coil, check valve, or a refrigerant metering device to clog, risking blowing a compressor? I'm suspecting a clogging TEV or a clogging valve on the compressor itself.Well that's why I'm coming here. The clueless tech only used an ammeter to check current draw, said that 6 degree drop from intake to out wasn't the best, but was not a solid indicator of a problem. I learned last night that the system had to be recharged 7 years ago and all they did was add freon.

So I'm thinking that the prior problem contaminated the system, the freon was leaking out, the TEV was clogged so it couldn't shut off flow to the evap coil, and since the return line wasn't cold enough to cool the compressor, it overheated and locked up.window ac unit stopped cooling Had tech 1 hooked up his gauges when the system was still running he would have caught the pressure issue and saved my system.wall mounted ac units for saleI like to assume just one snafu at a time:why would an ac unit freeze up Certainly if they added freon and didn't fix the leak you'd be low on freon again. Low freon can ice the coil reducing or stopping actual cooling and it might ice the TEV causing it to block all refrigerant flow.

That MIGHT give a high head pressure. The problem would continue until so much refrigerant has been lost that the TEV no longer ices (and the coil no longer cools). What does your service manager say about the repair? The tech offers nothing...... He is sticking to his claim it is all the condensers fault. When the system ran just before it gave up the ghost, there was no ice or even condensation on or around the TXV (found correct name). What has me wondering is how did I get a high head pressure (faulty switch?) when the pressures were at 100 lbs. just before they evacuated the system, and the amb. If there was debris or corrosion-produced crud in the system it may have been stirred or moved by the refrigerant evacuation and re-charge system, then causing a clog at a check valve, condensing coil, TXV or filter/drier. If the tech was convinced that the blockage was at the condensing coil it would be reasonable to replace it. If your air conditioning or heat pump system has lost its cooling capacity or won't start see REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS.

Continue reading at REFRIGERANT PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS or select a topic from the More Reading links or topic ARTICLE INDEX shown below.How Can B-Y Help? Have B-Y contact you Non-Condensables In An A/C system Non-condensables are gases that will not condense into a liquid within the operating temperatures of the refrigeration system. Air and nitrogen are the most likely non-condensables we will see. Air can enter a refrigeration or A/C system when improper service and evacuation procedures are not followed or when you have had a leak on the low side. Nitrogen can enter the system in other ways. The new Dry R22 A/C units and most refrigeration equipment are shipped from the factory with a holding charge of dry nitrogen, not refrigerant. Once the refrigeration lines are connected, the service valves need to be opened and all of this nitrogen holding charge must be removed. The condensing unit should then be evacuated to 500 microns along with the lines and evaporator coil.

When working with precharged equipment like R410A, care needs to be taken during leak checking procedures. Some A/C manufactures require leak testing by pressurizing the system with nitrogen to 400 or even 500 PSI. These high pressures can potentially push nitrogen past the stop valves on the condensing unit and into the condensing unit refrigerant charge. To prevent this from happening, make sure to tighten down the stop valves completely before pressure testing. The stop valves may be sealed enough to hold the R410A in but not to keep the high pressure nitrogen out. Always use a nitrogen regulator with an accurate gauge to ensure you don’t over pressurize your system. Make sure to check the manufactures recommendations before pressure testing. If you do get nitrogen in the system, you will have high head pressure with high sub-cooling (cool liquid line) before you get the system fully charged. Suction pressure may be low and system performance will be poor. In most cases you will have high evaporator superheat and a high suction line temperature, but superheat may be normal.