Old Trane AC Unit still working after 34 years

[@airmechanical7163]

That unit is elgible for a pension after all those years of service,

[@nickv4073]

Love seeing those old units saved. I've got a 27 year old Lennox that is all original. It has never needed service. Even the run cap is original. All I do is keep it clean. Still works like it did on day one. I think it will outlive me.

[@sku32956]

I have a 18 year old all Lennox 97% ,10 seer still getting it done .

[@No__18]

Is it still running good?

[@HVACShopTalk]

Not bad for a unit that is older than a lot of the techs

[@TedCookHVAC]

He said it never gave trouble until last 3 years he has added Freon every year.

[@inoahmann7542]

@@TedCookHVAC I don't know about you but I would have a hard time replacing a unit like that. What's your opinion on new systems? I feel like the quality has gotten a lot worse with some of the new stuff. Has your experience been similar to mine with r410a systems being way more prone to leaks?

[@edwinjewell5359]

Thats like the Toyotas of AC

[@jacobstout8925]

@@inoahmann7542 410A is more prone to leaks due to working off of higher pressures and the old copper/aluminum coils mostly. Old units also have a much more simplistic design but they are not near as efficient as your newer systems which have much more "moving parts" where anything mechanical can and will fail at point in time weather its sooner or later.

[@lennongroover4189]

So I guess that you mean that that unit may be older then or than rather some of the people working on it?

[@erictold]

Once upon a time, GE was a great company making all good consumer electronics.

[@AdamShaiken]

I have a 46 year old 3.5 ton unit still working with the original dual run capacitor. An oval 11" 30/5 440V cap with a grounding spade, too. Still running even with the original start capacitor blown up for I don't know how long !!!

[@streetstallion]

Adam Shaiken That’s awesome! We have one from 1960 a older GE. Still works amazing only problem we had with it was 3 years ago the furnace died

[@soleadoc8245]

Worked on a Lennox that was 42 yrs Old the other day. Cleared the drain and wham! She fired up. Crazy how some of those units are still going. The man asked what kind of shape it was in and I just told him it was put in when I was 6 yrs old.

[@mrryan123100]

Worked in a place once that had a Carrier Weathermaker air handler from 1963. Has the original coil in it, and runs like a champ! Hate to see the day it's gotta have a coil repair

[@brentaudi9354]

You guys need to make videos of these old units running. You are lucky to get to see them. When they are gone they are gone forever.

[@brentaudi9354]

@@mrryan123100 You guys need to make videos of these old units still running. When they are gone they are gone forever.

[@bababooey7576]

Lovely old beast. My central air conditioner is two years older than that (1983), and it's still humming along. No leaks or repairs yet! Chose to change both capacitors last year, even though the originals were still functioning.

[@CantankerousDave]

The term for stuff like this was “consumer durable” - and they meant it. You don’t hear that term used anymore. It’s been replaced by “planned obsolescence.”

[@montestu5502]

Clean the coil every 35 years, whether it needs it or not!

[@gusespe4458]

Nicely done bud hard to find an honest repair man in any trade !!!

[@MrRaymage]

I believe that that style Trane was originally designed by General Electric, and Trane bought the line.

[@picklerix6162]

Back in the 80's, my boss told me that he was amazed that those old GE compressors would keep running under high head pressures due to dirty coils or corroded condenser fins.

[@nateg08]

GE were the best units. I still have 2 that I regularly service for one of my customers. And not even a new trane will last like the old ones do. I honestly have to work on the new tranes just about as often as I do goodman or Rheem. For the price they are I dont think they are worth it anymore. They used to be. But not anymore

[@TheWoodman064]

The oldest unit I ever worked on was a Gafflers/Sattler manufactured around 1970 and was still cooling in 2014!

[@johnb9394]

We had some installed in the late 70's on a condominium complex back when they were GE brand. Out of hundreds of them only a handful quit before 2000. Even now we still have a few stragglers that still function.

[@MrACDude]

I have a 2 ton version of one of those made in 1978. My unit and this unit in the video were engineered by General Electric. All of the parts in mine are original except the fuse holder for the start winding. Even all three capacitors are original from 1978!

[@streetstallion]

My grandmother has a GE from 1960 “original to her house” still running great only problem it really ever had was the furnace went out 3 years ago and the matched the GE condenser with a carrier furnace

[@zeke112964]

There's a subdivision here in Raleigh NC with units like that from when it was still made by GE....Before Trane took over ...that are still running

[@DGAF_AK87]

North Raleigh off six forks by chance?

[@zigman8550]

My old Carrier A/C unit just died (compressor went bad) on 8/2/20 after 44 years of service.Only had 1 issue with it back in 2003 (bad capacitor).They don't make them like they used too.

[@normanfields6371]

I installed these units in the mid-80s they are called the trane executive model. And yes previously they were the same model used by GE before they were bought

[@Shade_Tree_Mechanic]

That's amazing. I had a 1985 BMW 735i that still had the original compressor, lines, condenser and evaporator working in 2020. While it's not totally related, I found it impressive

[@mikebrock1965]

My 1979 Carrier lasted until 2018 and I live in Las Vegas.

[@bellagrace9812]

My home was built in 87 and has one of these in it. This week fan won't come on and when it does it doesn't blow cold. I'm hoping it's the capacitor and I'm sure it needs a good cleaning too. I wish you were in my area, I'd get you to fix it. Your very thorough and do great work. 👍

[@MrJab1995]

Bought our house 2020 with a 2 ton trane executive ac. It is still working since 1986 although it already started leaking. Decided to just change the unit this coming week but boy I am amazed on the quality of this old ac’s.

[@jaydee2620]

In Kerrville Tx there is an old folks community that has several trans units from 1969 still running to this day. About 75% of them have been replaced and the other half are still running. So it’s about 25 units still running. Incredible. I have also seen a Friedrich 50 yrs old still running. Wow

[@3beltwesty]

My Carrier spin fin unit from 1985 has an EER of 8.5. (not SEER) . This unit in the video probably had a similar EER rating too. The EER rating is BTUH/watts when stable and under 95F outside and 80F inside at 50 Rh. ie one test condition. SEER ratings are over a range of conditions and some are milder. Thus SEER numbers are always higher than EER numbers no matter what the vintage of unit. An analogy is EER is like MPG your Ford F150 gets at 65MPH when up to speed and warmed up. An analogy is SEER is like it has some conditions that boost the F150's MPG numbers. ie you are driving at 45 MPH on the interstate in the slow lane while everybody is going 70 MPH. A 1985 AC units with a EER rating of say 8.5 might be roughly 10 SEER. Todays minimum SEER rating here in the South East is 14 legally, it use to be 13. Under mild conditions a modern AC unit can have a wider difference in its EER versus SEER ratings. ie variables speed blowers, variable speed compressors etc. Under low load conditions the modern unit is vasty better. Under high load conditions the "betterment" is there but it is boxed in by the basic thermo of the two temperatures and the motor losses. A modern unit might be 14 EER and 23 SEER rated. The Pickle is aggressive sales chaps will say that the new units are almost THREE times better. ie use the old units 8.5 EER to the new units 23 SEER. This can be dangerous. ie bad customers, you could get sued over false claims. The customers power usage with the new unit was not zero! :) Often the new unit is cheaper to run but not the 23/8.5 betterment that they claimed in their sales pitch. Even worse is new units seem to be more complex and leak more. Under hot full load conditions the modern unit example is 14 EER and old unit if clean an EER of 8.5. Lets say it is dirty and just EER 7 now, thus a 140 buck ac power bill is 70 bucks. It is common for sales guys to use the old EER of 8.5 and new 23 SEER numbers so the ratios is 8.5/23 = 37 percent. ie like your 140 buck ac bill is just 140 *(8.5/23)= 52 bucks. Mixing up old ERR and new SEER numbers is like mixing up city and highway MPG numbers. At a home show 20 years ago a York saleman had a dual compressor 4 ton unit with a high SEER rating. Nobody at the booth could tell me what the EER number was like somehow that was not important. A coworker got excited buy the 2 compressor wazoo system and had one installed in his house. The power bill dropped but not what he expected. His "Old" system was a 1990 Rheme with an EER of 10. That system got replaced after Katrina in 2005 and got replaced again 2 years ago with a R410a system.

[@thomaspease208]

gives the new meaning to ITS HARD TO STOP A TRANE

[@condor5635]

Excellent work and cleaning job! My Trane has a 2 row coil which makes it much harder to clean. I do basically what you are did and I think it turns out pretty good after a thorough washing. I’m a little hesitant to remove the clip that keeps the two rows together to expose the middle area better. I think I’ll leave that to another day. Unit is 20 years old so it’s still Kickin good!

[@marionholland6602]

Professional job by an Honest professional, thank you.

[@thehvachacker]

I just ripped the same working system out fo my dad's place. He felt it is easier to rent out the condo with a new system. I am about to reinstall it in a garage for a buddy. Hard to kill those old roto lock compressors

[@gregorymalchuk272]

I was actually just wondering if there was a market in dealing in used central air conditioning equipment. Given how expensive new equipment is, how reliable old equipment can be, and how hasty people are to replace rather than repair. I guess now I know.

[@jrchicago9216]

I replace run caps at 10 years as caps do degrade at high voltage and our Mfd meter is only 9 volts and can’t simulate the high voltage. Why risk rotor lock over a silly but critical $15 component?

[@AnalogueKid2112]

Growing up, my parents house had a nearly identical unit that was GE branded (before Trane bought the business). It was installed around 1978 and replaced around 2010, but was still working! Matching gas furnace only had one no heat issue that was easily fixed. Incredible units.

[@SETX_Sirens_and_Rail_02]

These are the Tranes that I like. Yes, it does have a spine fin, but these were very good units. Back then I would have sold these

[@publicmail2]

I have a self installed Heil IPC Hitler from 2000 other then their black coated coils that can corrode but mine are fine, I have been very pleased with it, replaced an upgraded relay and capacitor in condesor and blower, heatpump 13 SEER. From new I never like the bent metal fins that support the condesor blower motor, they where restrictive, so I bent each one so they are closer to feathered and it reduced static pressure in cabinet also quieting unit down too. More airflow is a good thing.

[@toledojeeper2932]

Our Carrier AC unit was installed in 1999...still running like a champ and only broke 1 time when a capacitor burnt up and only gets serviced about every 4 years

[@hozerhvac4406]

Well done Ted, saved the old beast of a trane

[@jameswasher3938]

You sure that's not a Day & Night unit? The before and after view of the coil was certainly Day & night different ;-) Good job!

[@TryRickPayton]

Man I was in my teens when that was installed. Now I am 50 that’s was a good outdoor unit.

[@shawnwhite3662]

My old apartment complex had those units in the 80s and around the early 2000s...they started to break down 1 by 1.

[@dirtbikenrcman]

I just did a replacement on one of these that was just as old. Leaking refrigerant as well. Got them a nice Trane XR16 and SV9. The thing was so old that it was a heat pump orginally because the house didn't have natural gas. When the gas company did run them a line they just ran it as an ac only for the last 20 years of its life.

[@nick_3771]

You’re a dying breed Ted. I always say, if your going to do it, do it right!

[@josephkennedy8659]

You do very good work. I notice that some of your customers do not follow your advice on having seasonal preventive service. They are being foolish, I sure would if I lived in your service area.

[@tatj83]

Have the same exact style Trane (may be slightly taller though) unit that is now 38 years old. Have had minor repairs over the years with the only major ones being the inside blower and outside fan motors dying. I disassemble the outside unit once every other year to clean the coils.

[@gonzgarr1592]

i have an old GE from 1975 and still kicks ass the only thing that have been replace the capacitor and fan motor they maynot be efficient but they will not brake down like the new pieces off poop they built these days

[@z06rcr]

I had forgotten how loud those old Trane ( and earlier GE) condenser fans were.

[@wolfpackflt670]

That's called "quality". Good luck finding anything like that.

[@AmericanFarmerHVAC2024]

Oldest unit I've ever seen running was from 1969. She needed some gas, but was good to go, first time it ever needed refrigerant added. They don't make them like they used too.

[@Garth2011]

I am amazed with how many condensing units are neglected from being cleaned. In many of these videos the most neglected or dirty fins are with units that are placed with all kinds of loose soils, leaves, pine needles and other debris too close to them and then others that are bare soil all around. That kind of conditions make for a poor environment as while the unit is running, the loose debris gets pulled into the coils. You would think that those who install or place a condensing unit would use larger pads or simply pour a large concrete formed pad to keep a good 2 feet clear around all sides of the unit and suggest that plants etc. are not placed too close to the unit as they will grow over time etc. I'm sure my thoughts might be on the "perfect" side of things but based on the conditions of this unit, which don't appear to be so bad, the coils are fully stuffed with debris which suggests it has never been cleaned or its subject to a lot of airborne dust and dirt from winds and/or gardeners with leaf blowers.

[@OpasJDGarage]

Funny, I was thinking this would be a good opportunity to use a supco super boost, loved the “an insurance policy”. HVAC is a rough business, but you ride the wave really well.

[@lebaroncars]

It's amazing I have a 1984 goodman not missing a beat , one capacitor in it's lifespan so far

[@HVACUncensored]

Good stuff Ted. I love that Milwaukee Coil Gun. I’ve never seen that before. I’m gonna check out for sure. Great job as always 👍🏻🤟🏻

[@chrismoody1342]

I love my Fieldpiece SC77. By the way that Trane is a direct descendant of the old GE. I recently pulled a 45 year old aluminum GE Evap that was still in perfect condition. It was replaced as part of a new condenser replacement.

[@toddwhaley77]

Own two 86 Trane Executive Weathertron's. Just replaced the second floor system due to a pilot tube issue that tried to kill the rotolok. The other still runs like a champ. Did swap the df timer for a Trane defrost board, updated contactor, and reduced 3 caps to a single duel. The space is a challenge under the lid. Once all 3 relays, and 3 run caps are gone it's much easier. Will get 40y out of this guy. When I run into another of these guys on a call, they all seem to be suffering from sales tech assumptions. Usually just need EVAP and coil clean.

[@toddwhaley77]

I was running 100/200 pressures on the one I replaced with a failing comp and restricted pilot tube on RV valve. I was joking that it would probably run another year like this before it stopped.

[@secondwindmusicproductions]

Very interesting to watch. I have an almost identical unit still cooling the upstairs in our home that came with the house in 1986. Other than a capacitor, a couple of contactors and a shot of refrigerant last year it is still going strong. I am in south Charlotte so it gets a pretty good workout.

[@tomdolan8811]

At that age, it must have been not long after General Electric sold out to Trane. I remember working on those old GE condenser units back in the day, long ago.

[@realisticjman]

I new trane today would never last that long

[@Thepcgamerbeast]

We moved into a house with a old AC from 1982. I am not sure what company or model it was though.

[@christopherharris3229]

Just had my York unit replaced on June 16th 2020. It was installed in 1977. Condenser unit worked fine and still had the original compressor. The evap coil failed and couldn't get an R22 coil anymore.

[@jhhvacplumbing1944]

That old spine coil before u washed it looked like a poo poo platter and u cleaned it up nicely. They will get more years out of that bad boy and will remember who took care of them and treated that unit like their own and call u back when its replacement time... planting that seed and watch it grow .

[@TedCookHVAC]

Exactly !! Thanks for watching Justin !!

[@sknight0391]

How you doing Ted? Are you hanging in there? I'm sure you've been putting in a lot of hours. Make sure you take time to stop for a couple of chili dogs and some circus peanuts 👍

[@FrostBlueFire]

Ive had a couple years in residential, it's pretty relaxed, though the summertime rush gets you working. You need a break or two when you're doing commercial, the sun and roof are killers.

[@TedCookHVAC]

Cant live without em !!

[@iwrk]

Like the idea of not taking the whole thing apart to clean the coils. Probably motivates people to do it more often.

[@Bob.W.]

Took out my Am Std unit after 32 years. Still ran great but dimmed the lights of the whole neighborhood every time it fired up. :)

[@snapperkc9317]

Nice job, I was waiting for you to call a Code Blue on that old unit, but the Dr saved his patient! I could use your cleaner on my truck engine as it made a big difference.

[@brianellsworth4767]

The precharged line set was the biggest factor in its longevity.

[@Jon-hx7pe]

the connections are more likely to leak than brazed ones though.

[@brianellsworth4767]

@@Jon-hx7pe Yeah, but less contamination.

[@YukonHawk1]

Amazing to see the old units still running.

[@weswg]

One of the best units ever made but really a GE

[@Keith_Mikell]

We just took my trane out that was from 1994. It would have made it till 24 so im saying it would have made it 30 plus years. Lots of R22 refills and parts, but it lived. It's replaced by bosch now.

[@pseudosmith9945]

Slip some rubber fuel line over that wand and it'll save you some sanity when bumping around in there spraying through the coils eliminating all that clanking and banging... love your vids brother.. keep up the good work..

[@maxeyac]

Installing a low pressure shut off would have been a better add on in this application than the hard start. Im assuming they are an elderly couple.

[@lee-johnson]

Worked on many of those. Always hated how you can’t pump them down, but they last a long time

[@jamestalliere576]

I have worked on 2 units just like those this past week!!!

[@nomebear]

Where I live the power is "dirty" with low power factor, voltage variations, brown outs, interruptions, frequency variations, spikes, and surges. This separates the quality from the junk in short order with some units failing in less than 3 years. And yet I'll see old Trane air conditioners, and even ancient Kenmore units still plugging away.

[@DrewskisBrews]

Aw, man, this is basically a GE, right? My parents had one of those late 1960's GE's for their Texas home until the early 2000's, when it was finally replaced.

[@dpt4402]

those GE units were great along with the RTU line

[@johnmoyer2849]

Clean the coil and it will go another 34 years.

[@Tanneritefilledfido]

Today i worked on a trane that was 33 years old working great

[@mychoclabwinston]

If you want to be the first person that drops in the new replacement, let me know how it goes, I love R22, and recip compressors, can’t kill them if installed properly

[@gmctrk63]

That coil cleaner is some good stuff. Gonna have to get some.

[@FoXHounDXD]

I wouldn't quite describe it as "good stuff".

[@FLJAMESFL]

Love your work.

[@UnDeath91]

soo.. you did not fix the leak? just put more stuff in and clean it?

[@josephjakubec3171]

Undeath 91. I was wondering the same thing. Fix the leak regardless of age. Better than the new units just use more power.

[@user78405]

reason they are reliable is.....back then, majority folks back then could not afford it to have one...so windows units becoming cheaper to have back then..so majority have window units what i seen when growing up during 80-2000....it takes years for us majority poor folks starting have HVAC split system was all about back then since price came down tremendous due to many brands got into business to compete what back then ..3 brands ...trane, lennox, york back then... have only 2 brands would be very expensive for avg folks to have in their homes..also ..many our homes did not have any duct work ...could imagine its many cons to get for us..until we moved to a house already have split system...

[@ysrpilot]

Haha. Same 1985 model of unit that I still have. Compressor was replaced in 1999. Caps replaced a few times over the years. Keeping my house cool in 100 degree temps. Super reliable, but not very efficient.

[@Tiki7391]

I had a 1989 Janitrol. Same issues, replaced the compressor once and capacitors every few years. Had a leak in the evaporator coil so finally replaced it this year with a Heil condensor and Goodman furnace. Hope they last just as long.

[@narcoti]

I have a unit from 1990 still running to this day, just converted it to r410-a. Its a shame trane isnt what it used to be.

[@MrMultitool]

Great job Ted. They just don't make them like they used to.

[@kellyleach2968]

What area is this? It looks like our area outside of Charlotte.

[@guitarboy123987]

That sprayer is pretty nifty.

[@johnnyBqwazy]

A classic… love doze old Tranes. Then lol “as strong as it gets 06:34” hope that’s a acid loving tree 😂

[@royamberg9177]

The guy I have working for me back in 97wanted to put the air-conditioned in his house that we took out on a furnace ac change out. I told him out in a new evaporator and it will last a year or two. It's dated 1968it still in there yet. Just maintenance is all we did to it

[@CannonFodder873]

What's your opinion of "Clare-Hecla" HVAC systems ? Mine was installed in March 1980 and refilled in 1985. Since then....basically ZERO issues. I do my OWN yearly maintenance and cleaning, which the Clare-Hecla design makes VERY easy. (...I also rewired the complete system to bring all the messy wiring to a central terminal strip, for easier testing😎 )

[@BleuCollarFndryMTL]

Amazing work!

[@RodBeauvex]

Have you ever been able to follow up or get feedback from customers after cleaning a unit? Did their bill drop noticeably?

[@borys444]

89 Xl 1200 still mowing along.. can't stop a trane!!

[@scottjones7279]

Just for shits and giggles the next time you going to clean a coil record the ambient temperature before & after and also the amp draw of the compressor to see how many watts you're saving or what percent of watts you are saving.

[@mikefrayman5224]

I installed a lot of those in my day where the old General electric

[@ttali211]

Bulletproof!!

[@tedstriker754]

What about Pro Seal, would a shot of that stop the leaks it has? Do you use that product?

[@Garth2011]

That unit continues to live...probably not the most stingy on power consumption per BTU but still chugging along. I like the base its sitting on too, a decent one. Coils got cleaned very well, perfect idea and tossing the chinesium caps was a good idea. If they would pay to find the leak....it'll go and go most likely. Too bad the previous tech's didn't clean the coils for them...based on the tape job on that fan cap, they likely didn't have the proper cleaning equipment or the patience to service what it needed.

[@Mrkouman]

I've asked most heating companies what is part of a winterization and none of them ever said anything about cleaning the outside unit, that must be why my heating bills are getting really high lately.

[@natepeterson7145]

Run cap started to run away!

[@warn3535]

My unit is 42 years old. Try beating that!

[@currycolt]

So what's a good tech bag tool list for every day calls the grab bag items of choice and multimeter

[@tytig94]

I love the Veto Pro bags, they've got many sizes.

[@amartyabag3678]

And here I have a Carrier Split AC which needed a major repair immediately after the warranty of 1 year was over. I believe things are not built to last these days.

[@russellhancock9765]

Our Train Gas Pack ran off the track last summer when the heat or flame sensor died because it was really rusty.