New Construction Trane System Evap Coil Leak Found

[@BrendanN941]

I work for a larger company in southern Florida and those are the main units we install. Last year we replaced over 170 leaking evaporators that had the same type of leak. ALL Within 2 years old!

[@Lewdacris916]

Absolute garbage quality control lol have they dont a recall or anything on these?

[@krisw8597]

I thought trance was supposed to be the best…. I wonder if it’s common with other manufacturers as well..

[@dwight.bennett]

If it was me, I'd include relocating the disconnect to be within reach as mandatory on a quote for any work on the unit. Probably leave the existing disconnect box up there as just a junction, to avoid having to deal with holes to patch. Probably do both at the same time.

[@thomasgilbert4131]

Looks like that tube was never sealed from the factory. It would be a good one to send to Trane quality control.

[@Argondo]

yeah, seem that way a forgotten welding or sodering.. depending on what way it is sealed ..

[@letsgocapsbeatpens]

I love how you take your time, most HVAC guys try to get out as quickly as possible.

[@Lewdacris916]

if hes charging by the hour i would be irritated as a paying customers lol

[@Imwright720]

Conditioned attics are the way to go. It keeps the house much cooler. Saves on electric and allows the equipment to run in a much better environment.

[@trunkmonkey355]

I lost it when you panned up to the disconnect. "Obviously the electricians are also brain surgeons." LOL

[@steveg5576]

Disconnects should have never passed...needs to be within reach.

[@3beltwesty]

It Probably never was inspected. In California in some tract homes the inspectors would just inspect the first model homes built. Then the rest the clones are just built cheaper. Ie entire neighborhood might have 2 to 5 house plans and one half are mirror image plans. Thus 4 to say 10 types of houses. All done to save cost.

[@Froggability]

steveg5576. I'm guessing it's relocated house or lifted sitting on new brick

[@larrykeenan598]

The inspector must have had his head up his rear end that day. The NEC says not more than 50' and in sight. Measurement is horizontal, not vertical.

[@fs483]

On the row to town houses behind mines, the disconnects are under the deck. The deck is about 3 feet above grade and is about 10 feet deep. Not easy crawling on your belly under there! On my town house, the disconnect is behind the condenser and you have to wiggle it the cover to full remove it before pulling the bar!

[@moeselec]

yes Sir ,It's a NEC code violation.

[@ms7168]

I just found you yesterday I'm a homeowner and my house was built with Central Heat and Air and it still had the original furnace and the condensing unit had been replaced once. The guy who inspected my house said it ran great (52 degree supply air) but he said you are going to be replacing in five years or so and I would do it ALL. Sure enough right at five years I woke up one night and it was putting out hot air. I shut it down and waited a little bit and turned it back on and it was cool. I had them come anyway he said it was fine it was just old. I started taking bids and I wound up with a new Ruud System in 410a and I love it. It also has 52 degree supply air. I got a little bigger furnace it had 50,000 I got 75,000 and it has the 2,500 fan that makes it blow really hard and cold. Feels good.

[@jamesable1828]

I would’ve enjoyed watching you put in the new coil thank you do a good job keep up the videos.

[@brianfoughty9006]

That ductwork is an embarrassment to the trade and it makes all of us look bad.

[@w5cdt]

Newbie question: Leak could have been on the other side right? Can you get to the other side for leak check?

[@brianhouk543]

That housing developer definitely went with the cheapest bids for ALL his subs!! What a mess, I feel sorry for the people who buy them not knowing any better.

[@victorblackwood3727]

Just repaired a evaporator coil on Trane Dual fuel pack unit, two years old. Trane said it is possible installer issue. lol I am done buying Trane. Put one in about 5 years ago and evaporator drain pan cracked from factory. Trane furnished new one but no help on labor. What a great deal.

[@michaelholmes4698]

Power disconnects are indeed dangerous that high, overlooked by many layers: electrician foreman, builder superintendent and county inspector - pitiful !

[@Lewdacris916]

i would think there is a building code requiring it to be within a certain range off the ground like ADA compliance.

[@moeselec]

Again an awesome video !. Thank you for sharing. Good catch on the disconnect boxes . They should readily accessible withing 5 ft of the equipment by the NEC.

[@travisspoerle1557]

I watch a lot of your videos and have to say by far no body compares to you. Great job and I am a tech myself and appreciate not only the “tricks” that you provide while troubleshooting but just the pure honesty that you also provide to your customers. We need more guys in the field like you. Awesome job!

[@dano1234v]

The filters on the small copper line are they required on all units,? I have a keepright it does not have one,

[@ramiroduran6798]

I work at trane building condenser units here in Tyler, Tx and I believe they have warranty if a coil leaks, I’m a repairman in the assembly line and fix any mistakes and leaks the operators on the line do we also run test them and sniff them for any leaks before they get packaged and it’s rare when a coil leaks. I’ll make sure to double check these coils for any tiny leaks

[@jackofalltrades.8907]

Height of those disconnects is that code for whatever state you in ?

[@pancakegains5871]

I watch these videos for the commentary. "Bright as a broken lightbulb" Keep up the good work 🙂

[@andrews1722]

I live in sw Florida, have a 10 year old comfort maker, works fine but they put in about 1 to 1.5 lbs Freon this past service, any recommendations on replacement brands? It’s a r22 3.5 ton, just no idea how much longer it will last...outside unit looks fine, inside has a little rust, I think the original trap wasn’t setup right so blower had water in it years ago, prob caused rust, thanks man...

[@speckulator7516]

Find the leak and fix it. The evaporator is the first suspect and get another 10 years out of it. The ICP’s are good units.

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

Thanks to this channel.... When we buy our next home we are hiring an HVAC tech , electrician, plumber, and a home inspector.

[@Froggability]

Did you succeed brazing the leak? And not sure why you added gas at the start, got heaps enough to find a leak

[@speckulator7516]

You just change out a warranty coil. He added gas so they had cooling till the changeout.

[@robertcherry4971]

Did you consider trying to braze that leak,instead of replacing the evaporator?

[@DoodleyDavid]

Why braze when the warranty covers a new one

[@5454Alpha]

brazing an aluminum end loop is more trouble then its worth when warranty would cover the replacement,

[@ronnyoo9371]

Yeah with That Much Rust replacement is better For Brand and no comebacks

[@prettycureforever7102]

Might as well get a new one

[@davidgoodland6780]

This dude cracks me up... Seems like he belongs in a western. Great show bud!

[@TravisLang667]

I suspect you and I are of the same age. We often say what is on or minds. It gets me into trouble often. I have been watching your videos. Greatly appreciate your means to an end. I do not suspect I will become a HVAC person. However, I am on my third carrier and repairing an old freezer for a DIY home project. Thank you for your videos.

[@cypeman8037]

Put the detector on the leak one more time Ted. Twenty times is never enough.😂

[@briancarlisi2224]

Why no blown insulation on a foamed attic? I would think the “box” would have sufficient heat loss in the winter. Just wondering. Thanks for sharing!

[@throttlebottle5906]

spray-foaming the whole outer building shell creates a vapor barrier, higher R-value than any other type of insulation. the whole attic becomes conditioned space, so you don't insulate the house ceilings as it's nearly the same temperature as the whole building, in fact there's normally a small vent and return up there. the attic becomes a nice storage area and you no longer have to worry about air leaks at every single device, light, wire, duct and pipe penetration. the downside is the home is too airtight and you need a heat recovery ventilation unit to make up for exhaust fans and to bring in fresh air.

[@JulesODwyer]

I have been in attics with foam and they never removed the ceiling insulation and that attic was very humid went across the street to his friends house that had same foam people all attic insulation was removed with combustion air brought in and attic was very pleasant and cool amazing same foam company one done right and the other done wrong and you could feel the difference

[@kingaire165]

Ted, as you found a leak on the “A” coil side facing you, is it possible that another, perhaps larger leak is on the far side? How do you find out?

[@alanwagen]

As a consumer it is very hard to pick a brand. I have a 15 year old Lennox HS26 and want to replace it sometime before it fails at the worst time. I am leaning Lennox again but I am also looking at American Standard. Maybe a 2 stage also. Comments? Thank you.

[@jasonreitz6049]

alanwagen With the exception of maybe Goodman or Nordyne with their crappy microchannel coils, the brand doesn’t matter as much as hiring a good contractor that will do a quality installation, such as flowing nitrogen when brazing, pulling a good deep vacuum 500 microns or below, etc. In my opinion as an HVAC contractor, these are 2 of the most important things. Of course there are many other things as well. Even the best of equipment will perform poorly if not installed properly.

[@pelon542]

the way we do installs in the north is totally different than the south but i like the fact that attics are big enough to have the air handler standing up

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

What is the approx. complete cost for coil and replacement?

[@5454Alpha]

warranty coil for sure, there was next to no material on that endloop, probably defective from the factory. Since it was ted likely doing the replacement, probably only labor.

[@jerryskinner8359]

Ted, What is the brand of leak detector you use ? Great Job

[@emprsnm9903]

Isn't the electrolysis a result of constant stray electrical current (lack of a grounding point somewhere)? I'm guessing there is a current flow between the furnace unit chassis, and the condenser outside (likely acting as a ground point for the furnace, or worse the reverse, through the copper linset). Are those disconnects even grounded? It'd be even crazier if the condensate drain water is part of the current loop too when flowing. The mind reels.... Kinda makes me speculate that the fire house down the road, is a result of an endemic problem in the wiring. And those disconnects don't inspire confidence in the wiring and inspection either :/

[@brennangordon8568]

Couldn’t you just solder that coil joint where the leak is? Or do you have to replace the whole A coil??

[@speckulator7516]

Replace it. It’s in warranty.

[@roux5044]

I have 20 years HVAC field experience. I used to never change evaporator coils. Now I change 2 or 3 a week.

[@robertsmitg6884]

What brand leak detector was you using

[@kangaroogod]

It wasn’t that hard to stop that trane.

[@waltradcliffe4482]

The air handler isn’t holding up very well for only being a couple of years old

[@eybu1]

Out of curiosity, how long did it take for you to do this call? I really enjoy you showing us everything you see and going into detail. Keep up the great work!

[@bobgallo2178]

If that is how the younger guys are doing things, I am glad to be retiring soon. Where the hell was the electrical inspector ?

[@customsausage1014]

hello sir, i am new to the trade, trying to learn as much as i can, most of the people in the trade will not teach, they all say that the way they learned was by trial and error, except for one guy, very knowledgable, partent, taught me a lot, just got thrown out into the field, they all backbite about the way their coworkers do stuff, yet do not show me the right way to do it, just ridicule that i dont know what i am doing, lot of gossip. what would you recommend i do? appriciate any guidance.

[@joem3384]

Good work ANTI DIY ,i can accept the spaghetti duct work and the one opening for all line sets ,its not against code but the higher service disconnect ,how did that pass inspection,let me go get a latter to pull a service disconnect 😱

[@97Napkins]

Why new construction coil look that rusty already. Coil looks 10 years old already. ☹ never seen disconnects that high before lol

[@52fordguy]

ADA Compliant?

[@victorguerra9232]

Hi u doing sir!!! I have a question, if I have a coil that can be used for r22 and r410 but it was used for r22,,,but condenser is no longer good and want to replace the condenser only,,,do I have to flush the evaporator coil? Or cut the lines and only flush out the lines?? Or both???

[@iLikeC00kieDough]

You hav to flush the coil too. At least a few times

[@commonsense3673]

Just as a side note , in my state , you can't have a disconnect near a water source and I noticed that there's a water spicket out there between the two condenser units ? But I sure as hell wouldn't put them way up that far 😂 , they need to be a certain distance from the main power source of the disconnect here in NY State anyway ? ( Still using that much wire can get them far enough away so that they could be in a line lower to the ground level

[@frankbumbalough4281]

I think spray foam will will cause coils to leak. Off gassing VOC's maybe. Had one leak after 6 months.

[@SeanBaker]

That whole installation looked so sloppy.

[@jaybrooks1098]

Configurated?

[@CT-vm4gf]

Are those houses built offsite? That’s the only way I can think of for those disconnects being up so high.

[@speckulator7516]

Could have been raised in a flood area.

[@58JOEMOMMA]

spaghetti distribution box !!!!! you crack me up !! I'm in tears laughing !!!

[@TedCookHVAC]

😁

[@toddrichards4339]

You can also try the leak reactant that has fluorescent yellow in it, works real good.

[@icecoldkilla405]

What brand leak detector is that?

[@larrykeenan598]

Have you ever gone to a jobsite where the outdoor and indoor units were labeled? A simple unit #1, unit #2 and so on would make things much simpler.

[@bobgallo2178]

Hey Larry, in total agreement. I guess the installers don't carry sharpies.

[@Eddy63]

Well I see 3 Stooges Electrical installed those disconnects ... Lol ... Good vid Ted ...

[@martindeloach]

i dont understand how the disconnect box got passed by inspectors either, that is total violation here as well. and what happen in the back ground with the houses? i was trying to figure out what you was looking at.

[@martindeloach]

oh I see, house fire

[@nilborne1]

Looked like a house fire to me.

[@gregred78]

My guess is that flex is cheaper than the duct board and the metal pipe is to run. It looks like crap that way and I don't know how well it works it doesn't seem very efficient to run ductwork that way though.

[@billmiller5075]

I’m old school like you, I like the way you do things

[@aaroncruz5854]

We heard you the first time gramps 😂

[@TheWoodman064]

I just wonder why the foam stopped where it did in the attic? Also, I would suggest to the owner to move those disconnects to a better level and finally, did you do a video on the coil change out? If so I would like to see it!

[@throttlebottle5906]

there was a dormer there with window letting light in, the dormer was foamed inside. the bare plywood was just overhang they didn't cut back and has the same open attic on both sides, so foam stopped just beyond the outside roof line tie in

[@ivancook1247]

What leak detecter do you use?

[@berated4541]

Why pump refrigeration into the known leaky system? Just to let it get into the atmosphere? I guess it's old school EPA certification mindset. Close off both service ports and reclaim what little is left in the lineset/coil. (or do it the lazy way and pump it all back into the compressor). Then grab your nitrogen tank and pressure test it like you should....

[@animalcorvair]

who makes that leak detector ???i like it

[@zack79tampa32]

What kind of leak detector you used Ted?

[@dwarden3]

I can almost guarantee that box was that way for code compliance. And yes I would add another disconnect at the bottom for "real world" usage.

[@relaxingsounds3909]

In the Uk if a system is leaking we would recover the gas then pressure test using ofn to find the leak fix the put in new 410a so no more 410 goes into the atmosphere. It’s an offence to put halon gas into a leaking system.

[@prettycureforever7102]

Its the same for a countries any amount of hfc or any cfc is illegal

[@MrBen527]

Those disconnects are hilarious! And dangerous. Yeah I don't like the looks of these aluminum coils. I'm replacing my 32 year old system now and dread going to this garbage.

[@brianporter4352]

MrBen527 I hear what you are saying. I have 23 yr old system and I am dreading going to this garbage too. It doesn't seem to matter what manufacturer you choose. Scary. I work for a company in Greensboro NC and we see this stuff everyday

[@speckulator7516]

The copper coils don’t hold up at 410a pressures. Copper was used on the evaporators when 410a came out and they didn’t hold up at all. Rheem/Ruud and Goodman failed quickly. To improve efficiency they made the copper thinner and some rifled the inside the coil and it was a disaster. The Aluminum ICP and ADP seem to be doing good so far. Goodman had issues with the aluminum where it joins the copper to braze the line set to it. They claim they are better now but who knows. The only one I have is only six months old and it was an easy change of the identical coil that was only $200 or a whole new system. It was easy decision with a 10 year warranty. Sometimes you have to hold your nose and dance with the devil.

[@HVACOG]

First place you look ?

[@foolishcreations2259]

Warranty?

[@ThierryC2373]

"The electricians are also brain surgeons" ... LoL I did not know that one!

[@mikefrayman5224]

I found out that a lot of those low coil leaks are caused by freezing. In adequate airflow were dirty air filters starts the problem

[@MrGMC1961]

Looks like it's short on return ductwork to me as well as low on refrigerant. The big name brand's are just as screwed up as Nordyne etc.

[@mdovideo1414]

The building inspectors need to enforce the code more seriously!! Most of the so called "electricians" down here are just installers that aren't licensed but they work under somebody else's license. They don't know any of the technical stuff, they just know how to drill holes and run wires. I went to technical school for HVAC and electrical and now I'm working as an apprentice doing electrical work. I see all kinds of stuff on job sites.

[@jimmyaber5920]

Did you call the Refrigeration Police? I see there was a unit parked across the street. Oven brazing with flux coated braze points. I see that on condensers and evaporators in cars and trucks where used.

[@tomthinks2089]

How did those disconnects pass code.

[@mikec.2746]

Electrical code here is, i believe, 6' or eye sight. I've had disconnect switches on roof top a/c units mounted 15-20 feet from the unit. Scary to say the least, but it was code.

[@MarkJones-no2zf]

I agree with steveg5576 how did those disconnects pass inspection

[@havox112]

Electricians know the inspector

[@toddrichards4339]

Good grief, that’s real quality there. Looks like they used mobile home flex. Who ever did there duct design needs to go back to duct school. Couldn’t see it, but, looks like the R/A ducts wasn’t big enough. The disconnects up that high, guess they wanted them outta the flood zone, idk. The whole job makes us that try to do the right thing,look bad! Keep up the good videos!

[@derekmc9580]

You need some big blue bubbles. I’ve found smaller leaks than that with bug blue. The Tiny bubbles stick together really good and make a little trailer of bubbles leading to the leak when their small like that. .

[@ntsecrets]

Both the disconnects and the wiring in the attic i saw was not to NEC. I’m an amateur and I think even my stuff looks way better. Read the NEC handbook it’s free guys.

[@countryfriedhvac]

The residents of that subdivision ought to file a class action against that builder. Every single video of you in this neighborhood just shows their lack of quality control throughout the different trades. I’d like to see the fire marshal report on that house fire to find out the cause.

[@texasmade2684]

What leak detector do you use?

[@ericwotton2046]

Right should be any higher than 6' 7".

[@twopumptrump7535]

Yellow Jacket

[@WillieMakeit]

let me get this right fill it up with refrigerant just to let it leak out again? recover pressure test with nitrogen , find/fix leak. the charge to weight and sub cool.. I guess I'm wrong

[@prettycureforever7102]

Nah you're right. I thought it wasn't a good idea to go find a leak after having to waste your time to pump it down just to fix a leak or possible replace the whole coil. hvacr student im still in school an i think his diagnostics is kinda mixed up

[@speckulator7516]

It’s like this. Charge it so they have cooling till he comes back to perform coil change. Come back, stack the R410a in the condenser, change the coil, flow nitrogen, braze line set, pressure test for leaks, draw vacuum, release the charge, check the charge and top off, get your money.

[@sknight0391]

Tune in next time when Ted has... a Disconnect Dilemma. 😎👍

[@gonzgarr1592]

Do you have any codes there?

[@mickhvac3908]

I’ve heard offgassing from icynene insulation creates holes in evap coils.

[@chrissmith513]

That was an easy leak to find ! 🤗🤗🤗

[@rickyhertz7250]

Great video and leak find !

[@domenicdalleva1045]

The contractor and electricians did not pat attention to the code and don’t care about the service tech.

[@rockydennis8926]

You blame the electrician for disconnects and I blame the inspector for allowing them to place them that high

[@josetorres3355]

I think the installers, didn't vacuum or even purge with nitro while brazing during the install.

[@pnajera3938]

Hey brotha , anyone who has an issue with how u do things are just hating. I watch your work and I learn new things and I've been doing this for 15 yrs. You da man. Keep them videos coming and God bless my brotha.

[@jaysonburns4423]

I've seen something happen in contracting and sometime you just install thing they way you are told to

[@VashtheReapr]

They should just eliminate attic installations all together. The systems dont run as efficient, condensate leaks cause major damage, acoils rust out way faster due to higher condensation in stuffy attics, not to mention how much more of a pain in the ass they are to install. Other than saving a tiny bit of space there is no upside to attic installs

[@alhodge4051]

you are a teacher....that is your calling...

[@brayanmorales2495]

What company do you work for??

[@Mrflash222006]

brayan morales it’s on the van, and ted owns the company

[@jasonburgos5107]

He owns his own company. "Ted Cook Heating Service" in SC

[@James_Bowie]

He works for himself.

[@twopumptrump7535]

Yellow Jacket

[@danielbutler3673]

Had to laugh about the ductwork. Not as bad as some I've seen. One installer I know about makes that look like quality work. They must get paid by the foot. I could use half the material and have material left over.

[@GB-ue6wr]

That entire install is a hot mess..at least that attic is not 150 degrees! That coil is not long for this world.

[@tonypuccio154]

Totally after agree with you on that but electricians can be brain surgeons when they want to be but obviously in this case they really messed up watching gonna do

[@havox112]

Electricians didn’t want to hammer drill disconnects 🤣

[@rfbedell347]

Unfortunately, Spaghetti ductwork I have seen numerous times. Here in Michigan, those disconnects would have NEVER passed code.

[@firecrow7973]

i love the beepedy beep beep