Replacing a TXV That Was Locked Down!

[@JS-8204]

You know it’s hot when the refrigerant feels good! 😂 Stay hydrated, Curtis. Young tech here who loves watching your videos!

[@steveprice-n9b]

Your videos have been really relaxing for me, helping me finally get some much needed sleep after going through shoulder surgery. It's been nearly a year since my accident and it wasn't until I found your video's that I finally began relaxing and falling asleep while watching you work. Maybe it's the repetition of what you do or the fact your video's are not full of annoying music and worthless talking. Just like having a good conversation with a neighbor or co-worker while at work. Thanks for literally helping me recover my mental and physical health my friend.

[@HVACGUY]

Glad they help

[@scottbush8767]

Curtis: Thanks for your video. I appreciate the "family friendly" content. I don't use "non family friendly language" and it is nice to view your videos without the foul language used by some other HVAC content creators. Keep cool. From Canada as always. Best regards.

[@jacitti2]

Thanks for taking me along on your adventures! I admire your courage and self confidence exposing your work to a knowledgeable audience. Especially since you show a misstep now and then. And, what a pleasant, calm personality and way with customers and your audience you have!

[@terryh8421]

@jacitti2 I agree with you!

[@andrewmarvel274]

I love that you're thinking out loud and going through your whole process for diagnosing. Thank you for helping me learn!

[@rickalders]

Curtis, I love the channel but sometimes I have to wonder what happened to the basics. TXVs should ALWAYS be protected from brazing heat. And it doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy. A 25 cent Terry cloth and bottle of tap water will work.just fine. Same goes for service valves and filter driers. YOU”RE COOKING THE MOST SENSITIVE OF COMPONENTS and I see it over and over again. Since the diagnosis video I was waiting to see if you protected this valve and sure enough you didn’t. Check any manufacturer’s documentation and they will tell you to protect the TXV. It’s simple yet effective. Look how much the head of this one got cooked during install.

[@richardbartlett6932]

Exactly this. I watched in horror that the components are not heat protected.. Worse I find very few commenters here picking up on that fact.. saying "great job" when it really isn't.

[@philiph1234]

I like strips of tshirt knit, wrapping, then pouring water on it. I don’t like the thermo trap gels as much. What do you like to do ?

[@JJ-Toreddie]

Yes, that is correct. Should always be protected from heat. In this case I don't believe the heat was there long enough to damage the components

[@Tim_Takacs]

Look tie your ground and neutral together on the suicide whip. makes it a lot easier. Also get about 50' of rope, a hook (wide mouth) and you can lower your stuff with rope and hook. You'll get so good at it, you'll be able to jiggle your rope and the hook will let go. Than do it all over again instead of going up and down the ladder 20 times in the heat LOL. I did it for decades. Works for taking stuff up and down from the roof.

[@fernandobazan829]

I like Curtis a lot he is a hard worker and smart but sometimes he’s lacking in the common sense department I swear i guess he works to the beat of his own drum lmaoo😂

[@larrytaylor1964]

One trip hook works too. I have a 65ft rope. I'll tie stuff on both ends and sometimes in the middle of the rope. Also watch for the wild legs on 3 phase 208 when connecting widow makers!

[@OcRefrig]

The Hook method Works for most stuff , i've done it alot. i use 3 Ropes sometimes too. nitrogen bottle i use separate rope. can't hook it.

[@stevekaniaris829]

Rope is a savior. Also agree, just take ground and a leg of the cheater chord and clamp them together on ground. Other leg of chord becomes your 120v. I usually use a shunt side of line

[@horacegardner3516]

I’ve got the same recovery machine. When it’s hot outside you have to keep the recovery tank cool or the pump will overheat and shut down from thermal overload. I use a 5 gallon bucket and ice.

[@MoonRambo702]

Thanks for that tip, I had the same issue. Good thing the HD recovery bucket never fails 😅

[@Infowarrior-45]

I love how these manufacturers always have the service tech in mind when they place some of the components of a system where they do 😂 I wish whoever engineers some of this crap actually had to come out in the field and had to work on it!

[@memsu06]

That cost more money and it was probably designed better until the bean counters got involved.

[@redneckways1617]

You could prolong the life of the TXV by cooling it each time you braze a line…or better yet spray the valve down with cool gel or thermotrap so it doesn’t get too hot

[@icandreamstream]

Yep, Viper Wetrag works great and can be reused a bunch

[@jimthomefan50025]

I missed the explanation of the TXV function and how it gets it's charge or loses it. Is it just charged with R22 and opens and closes as needed, but wouldn't close to hold it's charge?

[@JJ-Toreddie]

​@@jimthomefan50025 it's a modulating valve depending on the sensed line temperature. The moving mechanism in the valve body locked up

[@OcRefrig]

Good video. Glad u found out why the txv was locked down. Do we Get to see the Txv & where it lost its charge from? Get Yourself a 10' x 10 ' Pop up shade at Any sporting goods store. $100.00 Regular price or $64.00 on sale. That's what i did !!! Total Game Changer for Compressor change outs or Jobs that take a while. takes 10 min to set up. Best 10 Min. ever !!!

[@SilverandCigars]

cracked mirror. Thats how I roll. I swear as soon as I get a new one I kneel on it the first time I use it.

[@robalexander7348]

Well done Curtis, on a Hot day, you must have enjoyed that Cold beer when arriving home 🍺 Au

[@rediz4rubes]

The shared knowledge of the internet is awesome. Even a pro like you Curtis can pick up a few pointers in the comments. Stay safe and take some cooling breaks good sir. That body has to last you awhile yet. 👍

[@ftwbreeze]

Great repair job Curtis! You call it a cheater, we called them widow makers. I still have mine after 47 years, always find a use for it. Just another day in paradise my friend.

[@chrisnapier5626]

Great job,Curtis!

[@butlerstouchHVAC]

great work curtis

[@parkerjohnson5420]

Excellent repair!

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@TomLawson05]

Great job Curtis always enjoy your vidios

[@jonnohz1]

when you start humming, I flash back yo my boyhood reading the books "Doc Savage" 1933. Doc Savage is a fictional character of the competent man hero type, who first appeared in American pulp magazines during the 1930s and 1940s. who hummed when under stress or thinking hard....Real name Clark Savage Jr., he is a polymathic scientist, explorer, detective, and warrior who "rights wrongs and punishes evildoers." I know....silly. but as much as you have taught a laman .... You are my HVAC Doc Savage.....grin

[@NickB1121]

Fellow Georgia boy! Love your content!

[@rogerkennedy8849]

Time to rebuild those valves. I have to do it to mine about twice a year

[@victor1aguillon]

Keep up that good work man!

[@kennymayo4578]

Excellent job

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@SpecialistOne]

I like to hear your thoughts on Cap’n Hook Torch Tips. Their ad says "You get 100% wraparound for even heat distribution... heats up to 5600 oF". I saw factory workers using them for brazing all sorts of AC parts.

[@melvinperdue-q5s]

Really enjoyed watching your channel I’m live in west Virginia

[@craigpierce7996]

It's possible you may be harming the TXV with heat soak. I have always put a wet rag on the top while brazing to keep the top cool. I also put a wet rag around the dryer. Good precaution against getting internal components too hot. I really enjoy your channel and look forward to seeing it grow as I watch!

[@mxslick50]

Curtis, as an electrician I would like to caution you and other HVAC professionals: Using your cheater to bootleg a neutral via the ground of equipment is seriously hazardous. *Electricity seeks ALL paths back to it's SOURCE, including neutrals and grounds.* (That is why, even in a properly designed and wired system, it is possible to shocked from a neutral wire as your body WILL divert a portion of the voltage to ground through you.) *Grounds are never intended to be energized (as a neutral normally would be on a 120v circuit) they are there as a fault clearing path, to bond together equipment and metallic structures to the same electrical potential (preferably zero), and to help ensure equipment cannot get voltage on it due to faulty components.* Every time you guys use that cheater, you are energizing the entire AC unit and anything metallic attached to it. (Want proof? Next time you use a cheater, take one of your meter leads and attach it to the unit you tied the cheater to. Take the other lead and touch that to any other unit (A/C, exhaust fan, etc.) nearby, you WILL read some voltage. Anything over 3 volts is a hazard.) That exposes anyone touching anything connected to it via a metallic path to potential and possibly lethal shocks. Anything that gets touched WILL divert some of the current though the person touching it. I have attended jobs where someone was severely shocked (and a few fatalities) from this exact scenario. I have also been shocked many times with neutrals simply because I was a partial current path with low enough resistance to get belted. And yes, I have used the same cheaters and have also gotten bit doing it. Your pump most likely failed because the current it drew burned open some part of the ground wire, fittings or connections. You now potentially have a completely ungrounded A/C unit. That should be followed up on to protect you from liability. The solutions? One, use your battery powered vac pump, two, buy a 240v vac pump (they are out there) and connect it normally via the two hots and ground in the unit, three buy a surplus step down transformer rated at 1kva (will weigh about 20lbs and won't be too big) to step down to 120v for your pump, or four run the necessary lengths of extension cords to a regular 120v receptacle. *STOP using the cheater, one day it will get you and you may not survive it.* Final note: What is the #1 killer of electrical tradespersons? Shocks (and/or the resulting falls from getting shocked) due to complacency. They get away with tickling the dragon for so long, until the dragon strikes back. The end results are not pretty.

[@tommywwalden1599]

A good thought out comment...and I agree 100%!!!

[@FredD63]

It’s the season for HVAC work we are swamped at my work with it and trying to work some system replacements in with my guys as well …. Keep up the good work Curtis … 🇺🇸👊🏼👊🏼

[@jthonn]

Yep, get it while the getting is good. $$$

[@stevekaniaris829]

Time to make money.

[@StevenBowron]

In the pump industry there is some copper sweat going on, we always use wet wraps, for the heat without the prospect of damaging components.

[@stevencossaboon3237]

Great job Curtis.

[@kens.3729]

Some times you get Lucky and have a View. 😬 Down side with being on a Roof is it’s Hotter than on the Ground which could have a potential shade block. 😬👍

[@mrsunn24]

That was a rough one.

[@carllungwitz5171]

I can't remember the last time I saw an inspection mirror with out a crack.

[@jeffsomers28]

Only when it leaves the shelf...

[@--harry_]

Mine is cracked also

[@HeatGeek1]

Switch to polished metal!

[@michaelleeper3649]

May I make a channel suggestion that may help several people at once? Set up some way to take donations to be put towards an emergency repair for someone who would could in no way afford it? I am certain from the way that you carry yourself that you are a kind man, here is an idea to help grow the channel and help someone. Be the Al Bladez (look up) in your field of work for one person a month who would otherwise suffer. You may already be doing this, now make a detailed video explaining why you did it for that person in dire need. Watch how many new subs you'll get.

[@LarryBird_]

This is a good idea 👍

[@P9rkour90]

Wonderful idea

[@Parabellum-X]

Thank you so much for that idea. Curtis really is a great guy. You can tell just by the way that he talks and carries himself.

[@dennisberry9621]

as a retired refrigeration tech, i just suggest when soldering, apply more heat to the bottom of your joint and start at the top. it will flow around to the bottom. you can also heat the silfos and bend a ninety to get the bottom better. might avoid redos.

[@TPINSC]

The pressure in the recovery cylinder got to high. It would be good if it were in ice. That's my guess.

[@moshemoshe-yy8hj]

You can get yourself hosting lift for ladder for about $120 will save you a lot of time and energy I think home Depot even have it

[@dong4617]

That was a tough job.

[@kg4muc]

Too bad that TXV didn’t have a serviceable power head like some of the Sporlan units have. Hopefully the loss of charge is not a manufacturing problem. Great job on the repair though! This kind of thing happens in everything lol

[@brianb8011]

And that is why you pressure test with nitrogen. Even if it looks good it can still leak.

[@sergiohernandez4163]

At least I'm not the only one that has a cracked mirror.

[@Demy26]

Curtis doing work 💪🏽

[@iamnoone.]

Curtis, I worry about your lungs when you are brazing. Have you thought of getting a respirator to wear. Just when you are brazing. Note: This is just a suggestion. Great job

[@activia1967]

Good job

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@RogerR-g7j]

Have you used stray Brite 8 for tvx . If not why.

[@wildmanwv]

Are you using those light weight new torch kit they came out with last year? Love the tech umbrella they came out with last year. Good stuff. I bought the Klein fan and have been very happy with it also. Good job Curtis

[@johnstrh1]

i have that same recorvery machine and it got stuck one time and was tripping GFIs and not running on regular outlets, had to play with the in and out knobs and it released a bunch of referigerant and then ran again. was really odd

[@kellyvold3618]

Why don’t you use stay silver silver solder flux see you seem to struggle a bit to get good joints just wondering

[@AaronPowellvox]

Great work again Curtis! I finally started posting hvac videos on my channel. Let me know your options if you feel like it.

[@grudd61]

Did you actually climb inside of the unit? U'da man Curtis!!

[@HVACGUY]

Yes

[@tphvac87]

Just did a txv today on an old rheem, idk they don’t make them all mechanical txvs 🤷‍♂️ it’s beyond me, nonetheless we got it done and she’s up and cooling now! Just finished literally an hour ago.

[@StevenBowron]

I worked on water well pumps for 48 years, a lot of the electrical is the same.

[@martymsr6822]

2 questions: why didn't you heat protect TXV? #2 i hope where your knees & butt hit condenser coil you straightened the fins that you bent on 1st Txv & second Txv replacement????? if not maybe you should return & fix for air to pass thru seeing its in direct heat on roof.

[@stevekaniaris829]

Heat protect I agree. But your a young tech. He's in a hole brazing towards his knees and nuts and your concerned about a few fins C'mon man.

[@martymsr6822]

I've been doing it 45 years & I carry a fin brush, if you don't carry 1 your not doing a quality job, your their to fix unit not do more damage while fixing it. So I bet you install units with bent fins & don't fix. Especially how evaporator coils come. He will be back replacing txv burned up, glad your not my employee making excuses.

[@owenaero]

hey Curtis what percentage are you using on your brazing rod and have you ever used stay bright and what's your take on it.

[@HVACGUY]

6%. Tried stay rite once . Don’t trust it

[@stephenbierlein2517]

I always purged each line with nitrogen when changing anything on any unit. It's not purging when fill system and blow out nitrogen. Have a great day.

[@HVACGUY]

I did run nitrogen

[@patrickinottawa27]

Curtis flowed Nitrogen during the repair. Then filled the system with Nitrogen for a pressure test for leaks and a decay test, after which he released the Nitrogen pressure and proceeded to draw down a vacuum before weighing in the charge - all of which is in the video.

[@stephenbierlein2517]

@patrickinottawa27 that's not what I mean . While pieces are apart blow each line out with high pressure . Not t trying to aggravate any one . I Learned that over the years years of going behind several people.

[@patrickinottawa27]

@@stephenbierlein2517 Ah, that's a better explanation of what you were asking about. We'll see if Curtis responds to it.

[@stevekaniaris829]

​@@stephenbierlein2517. You mean you've found scroll pieces and parts in lines over your career. Lol. Also gives you piece of mind there's no restrictions.

[@neutrodyne]

I guess you could call this "an inside job" since Curtis was inside the condenser.

[@Qball1842]

Hi. Just curious...since all the 410a was evacuated will the customer have to pay for the new refrigerant, txv, etc? Why can't the old refrigerant be used if its going back into the same unit? I'm not a tech and just an average joe trying to understand the process. Thanks.

[@Browner19]

Curtis, what kind of watch is that? I'm in the market for a durable one and we know if it lasts during your day of work it has to be good.

[@HVACGUY]

Apple Watch Ultra

[@Justbecause01]

Please explain what youdid with the 3 lines you connected together He

[@bobrumpf2576]

Hello Curtis, can you help out on a rudd system-heat pump with two stage compressor-ran fine all summer in cooling,heat operation was fine at startup got a no heat call and looked at it yesterday-i have equalized pressures,no cooling or heating,cycling reversing valve i hear no changeover...only clicking on solenoid,we did notice the bulb sensing line from outdoor txv was rubbing and maybe damaged. compressor amps changing while cycling between 1and 2 stages-i know you are a heat pump master so i figured to ask for help,thank you sir

[@Paul-IE-Repairs]

why did you not debur the copper line after you cut it, and why did you opt not to use a heat block on the TXV?

[@stevekaniaris829]

Doesn't a Rheem OEM TXV come withna removable power head and sensing bulb. Swear I did a Rheem and just unscrewed the power head andt landednthe sensing bulb. Vacuumed, returned gas and fired it up. I recall using a little leak lock on the threads. Tried zooming in on Curtis's valve but couldn't see if he could of just unscrewed it.

[@HVACGUY]

Not this one

[@ducharmehvactraining925]

Did you purge your hoses at the recovery tank?

[@harveypaxton1232]

If the Microns drop when you valve off the gauge I would suspect the gauge.

[@SonicOrbStudios]

Gotta Love a good tear drop. Always means it's sealed 😂

[@mcroley591]

All txvs and reversing valves should be bolt in type.

[@isaiassalas1834]

Hey Curtis, out of curiosity what sunblock/sunscreen do you use? If you use any lol

[@HVACGUY]

None

[@fernandobazan829]

They sale those 10x10 canopies with water misters that drop temps by 20 degrees and have walls to block direct sunlight you know just a suggestion you might even have it branded people can see you working for a country mile or so good video

[@FATBOYROY4370]

😊 Stay cool

[@AlexanderBanegas-w8h]

You need to put a wet rag on the txv before brazing. You will ruin the txv

[@LilYeshua]

So where did that mystery oil come from on yesterday's video?

[@HVACGUY]

From compressor or hoses?

[@LilYeshua]

@@HVACGUY that hose

[@blakey5952]

what meter leads do you use?

[@obwan7217]

Murphy's law when it a 100 degrees...........

[@ICONBADGTA]

And (THAT'S WHY) i don't "HEAT STUFF" taking it apart.. Cut it with a pair of tubing cutters, goes back together sooooo much easier, and cleaner.... You can stretch and bend the copper without kinking it.... I have done compressors this way since i started, 95%+ look like the factory compressor when i am done using the cut and replace method.... Save the heat, save the copper, save your (LUNGS) not breathing burnt oil/refrigerant, and do it by cutting with a cutter...

[@scottmaz4063]

#1 hello Curtis

[@wildmanwv]

Another thing I noticed. You don't show how you get all your stuff up on the roof and back down. It's a struggle when your my age. Just wondering how you do it?

[@HVACGUY]

Carried it

[@philiph1234]

Great video ! As we get older, have you thought about getting a helper, my Friend?

[@jthonn]

Why did it lose it's charge? Well at least it's straight now. Nice job

[@zunar_j5_933]

Think he said the bulb lost it's charge, from the TXV.

[@jthonn]

@@zunar_j5_933 Yeah, I was wondering how it can do that, but who knows? A mystery for sure.

[@cornbread1955]

👍👍👍😎☕

[@matthuss1914]

No wet rag type protection for the new txv?

[@SilverandCigars]

was about to ask it too. Glad you beat me to it

[@matthuss1914]

@@SilverandCigars he’s a decent tech but sloppy, it triggers my ocd.

[@Clarkbarsc]

Does your missus. help in your business?

[@HVACGUY]

Moral support at this point. In the beginning it was financial support.

[@ytzn1290]

You should really be cutting out the filter dryer most manufacturers actually specifically state you should cut it out compared to un-brazing a joint

[@GentianElezaj-d5w]

You are overheating the TXV. wet rag, or heat block putty.

[@dmiestercommkitchentech3043]

He likes to cut corners like no protection, not reaming out fittings and then justify his cutting the corners by saying he has not had any problems so he continues to cut them corners.

[@OcRefrig]

You " Should " be Wet Ragging your Txv's Before welding. it's in the installation instructions for txv's.

[@stevekaniaris829]

Thermal trap works good as well. Specially on reversing valves where you really have to heat them up

[@harrydickson4575]

👍👍👍

[@StevenBowron]

Ive been thinking the same thing, for a pro, he makes a lot of mistakes, espically soldering.

[@jamierushing]

Hi bro

[@HVACGUY]

What’s up?

[@jamierushing]

@@HVACGUY staying cool bro

[@PaulHendrick-b2r]

Sorry Curtis, no prep and no heat sink on the TXV makes hole like a swiss cheese which is what you had. Learn to silver solder. I was a tech for 35 years and never had those problems. Your soldering sucks.

[@zunar_j5_933]

Might already know it, but get you some electrolyte pills to have on hand & go with the water. They've saved my bacon before, low sodium can happen quick if you are sweating like mad.

[@latinoheat61987]

That txv is gonna go out again. A wet rack was never placed in the txv.

[@jimwhite9483]

What is a wet rack and how would he get it inside the txv?

[@latinoheat61987]

@jimwhite9483 you don't know anything about hvac . Is why u don't understand a wet rack

[@NatejAlbonico]

I was doing a coil change out on 12 ton, the roof was 122 degree's, I'd rather be on a 122 degree roof in California then a 80 degree roof in Georgia.

[@dfirth224]

109 on the ground in Fresno, CA today. 15% humidity. Don't know what the roof is, probably 130?

[@davidca96]

Dry heat isnt too bad I agree, but extreme humidity heat is torture your body cannot evaporate the sweat so the layer of sweat makes you even more overheated.

[@patrickinottawa27]

Curtis has video's in attics working on air handlers at 110 - 120 F and that humidity. At least on a roof, you might get a breeze.

[@jimwhite9483]

Why would you want to be on the hotter first and THEN the cooler roof?

[@stevekaniaris829]

I'm in Florida where a white rubber roof will get over 120. Then you can add in the sun and the 55% humidity.Did 3 liquid line driers by The Ocean at a Hilton today and they were the fastest driers you can imagine.

[@StevenBowron]

Your sucker machine sounds like a jews harp ever now and then

[@AlexanderBanegas-w8h]

You need to put a wet rag on the txv before brazing. You will ruin the txv