Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 OK so I noticed in the last 2 weeks the bare short section of pipe going to my external air con outside is frosting over, the air inside the room is now no longer cold...........Ive always maintained these myself they are clean, I take out the barrel fan and jet wash the interior and exterior parts regularly. It IS spotless. Im guessing its low on gas as I saw this is one of the main reasons the pipe will ice up where the short section outdoors is exposed. Anyway I will call the aircon guy to check the gas in the unit etc My question is this, the unit is about 6 years old, never had any gas in it , does it slowly leak out over time or is it a case of if its getting or gone low now so that there MUST be a leak somewhere as they should run for years with never a refill etc or is slow leakage inevitable? On saying that had the aircon for the first time ever topped up in y Toyota Vigo after 9 years as it too went warm so to speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tifino Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 have you run any soap-bubbles test around it yet? if you reckon the gas has escaped, I assume you haven't dared turn it back on, until the repairman arrives... - no 'coolant' = no pump lubrication... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 The long and the short of it is that your AC need a deep cleaning by an AC guys, only than it will work properly again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlover Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 12 minutes ago, ezzra said: The long and the short of it is that your AC need a deep cleaning by an AC guys, only than it will work properly again... I have a lot of engineering experience gained during my working life, so I figured that A/C units should be a piece of cake. But I was wrong. After my hamfisted attempts to maintain it, I concluded that getting a professional in to do the the job properly is well worth the small amount that it costs (around 500 Baht) The only thing I do now is clean the filters and give the outside unit an occasional hosing to clear any debris from the heat exchanger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 10 minutes ago, ezzra said: The long and the short of it is that your AC need a deep cleaning by an AC guys, only than it will work properly again... incorrect Ive done that repeatedly over the years, it involves removing all casings inside and out, the drain pipe connection inside , the blower barrel fan inside ,the exterior casings, masking up electrical parts, getting the pressure washer out and turning down the setting to low, attaching the special aircon cleaning bag which catches the water inside down to a drain to outside. I blast down the drain pipe to get out any slime and every part is blasted clean for re assembly Dirty it aint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 Just now, Moonlover said: I have a lot of engineering experience gained during my working life, so I figured that A/C units should be a piece of cake. But I was wrong. After my hamfisted attempts maintain it, I concluded that getting a professional in to do the the job properly is well worth the small amount that it costs (around 500 Baht) The only thing I do now is clean the filters and give the outside unit an occasional hosing to clear any debris from the heat exchanger. Its really not that hard at all but you do have to work slowly and carefully, hardest part getting the barrell fan back on the spindle with the flat edge over the grub screw, also reconnecting the drain pipe is tricky. The cleaning actually takes inside about 45 seconds max with my pressure washer set on low, outside I use almost full power but not damaging the fins etc. What I lack is the stuff to check gas levels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 42 minutes ago, tifino said: have you run any soap-bubbles test around it yet? if you reckon the gas has escaped, I assume you haven't dared turn it back on, until the repairman arrives... - no 'coolant' = no pump lubrication... No soap bubbles test yet, as soon as I saw slight frosting its been off, its not a case of thick thick ice like some ive seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlover Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 Just now, Chazar said: Its really not that hard at all but you do have to work slowly and carefully, hardest part getting the barrell fan back on the spindle with the flat edge over the grub screw, also reconnecting the drain pipe is tricky. The cleaning actually takes inside about 45 seconds max with my pressure washer set on low, outside I use almost full power but not damaging the fins etc. What I lack is the stuff to check gas levels It's even easier to pay 500 Baht! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 43 minutes ago, tifino said: have you run any soap-bubbles test around it yet? if you reckon the gas has escaped, I assume you haven't dared turn it back on, until the repairman arrives... - no 'coolant' = no pump lubrication... its R22 as well but I aint changing it can still get it ok round here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 Just now, Moonlover said: It's even easier to pay 500 Baht! If you like redecorating your house where their filthy hands go all over the walls, or if you like repainting the ceilings doors where they whack their ladders into them then .........go ahead...i dont Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beggar Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 4 minutes ago, Chazar said: incorrect Ive done that repeatedly over the years, it involves removing all casings inside and out, the drain pipe connection inside , the blower barrel fan inside ,the exterior casings, masking up electrical parts, getting the pressure washer out and turning down the setting to low, attaching the special aircon cleaning bag which catches the water inside down to a drain to outside. I blast down the drain pipe to get out any slime and every part is blasted clean for re assembly Dirty it aint How much do you charge for this? Seems to be a great job. You don't write the brand name of your aircon. At some you can retrieve an error code. But by guessing I would say too perhaps not enough gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 45 minutes ago, tifino said: have you run any soap-bubbles test around it yet? if you reckon the gas has escaped, I assume you haven't dared turn it back on, until the repairman arrives... - no 'coolant' = no pump lubrication... what I really want to know though is "over time"do they slowly lose gas anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlover Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 1 minute ago, Chazar said: If you like redecorating your house where their filthy hands go all over the walls, or if you like repainting the ceilings doors where they whack their ladders into them then .........go ahead...i dont No mess in my house at all. And my A/C works, yours apparently doesn't. Your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 1 minute ago, Beggar said: How much do you charge for this? Seems to be a great job. You don't write the brand name of your aircon. At some you can retrieve an error code. But by guessing I would say too perhaps not enough gas. I get the satisfaction of 1 knowing its been done correctly and carefully without any damage shortcuts etc 2 Not having to worry about their filthy hands lack of drop sheets and other associated damage 3 500 baht doesnt bother me its the sheer freakin mess they always leave. They have no idea how to take care of someone elses property.............smoking fags throwing on the ground nosing in your stuff etc etc, I keep em all away unless 100% necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 Just now, Moonlover said: No mess in my house at all. And my A/C works, yours apparently doesn't. Your choice. I have a second house with aircon on the same plot for the very reason if one doesnt work the other does..........so mine does work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 ok so on reading some more it must have a leak somewhere as in normal use there should be no refrigerant loss ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlover Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 2 minutes ago, Chazar said: I get the satisfaction of 1 knowing its been done correctly and carefully without any damage shortcuts etc 2 Not having to worry about their filthy hands lack of drop sheets and other associated damage 3 500 baht doesnt bother me its the sheer freakin mess they always leave. They have no idea how to take care of someone elses property.............smoking fags throwing on the ground nosing in your stuff etc etc, I keep em all away unless 100% necessary. Where do you live? I can give you a reference to an excellent engineer who does not of above. Besides, if you've always done it yourself, how do you know that they behave in this manner? I sense this is turning into yet another anti Thai rant from which I shall now withdraw. Good luck in getting your A/C sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 16 minutes ago, Chazar said: what I really want to know though is "over time"do they slowly lose gas anyway? No. They lose gas when there is leakage. We can blame it on bad construction which has allowed a fault to develop over time - or the more likely damage during servicing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beggar Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 14 minutes ago, Chazar said: I get the satisfaction of 1 knowing its been done correctly and carefully without any damage shortcuts etc 2 Not having to worry about their filthy hands lack of drop sheets and other associated damage 3 500 baht doesnt bother me its the sheer freakin mess they always leave. They have no idea how to take care of someone elses property.............smoking fags throwing on the ground nosing in your stuff etc etc, I keep em all away unless 100% necessary. It is good if you can do it yourself. I had four different companies for my aircon cleaning. I will not call one of them anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 7 minutes ago, Moonlover said: if you've always done it yourself, how do you know that they behave in this manner? owning 7 condos has shown me over 10 years how virtually ALL of them operate in Bangkok, Ive had ONE guy come here in Prachuap who was careful and he said he too has a problem with his staff touching walls and has to constantly tell them...............so pleased was I with this guy for installing an aircon for me ( Id already hung the compressor and interior unit and drilled the holes thru the wall to save any mess from an installer) That I paid him DOUBLE, he was overjoyed....................BUT then later I asked him to come back and clean one of my others here and he just would not come.................go figure because if someone paid me double in the Uk Id be back like a shot. He wa s only here 1 hour the time he came as Id done the bulk of the work. His job just bend and connect the pipes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 Just now, lopburi3 said: No. They lose gas when there is leakage. We can blame it on bad construction which has allowed a fault to develop over time - or the more likely damage during servicing. Ive found out the most possible cause is LEAKING SCHRADER valves over time, no one has touched these units except me and the original, installer when he put them in years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 14 minutes ago, Chazar said: what I really want to know though is "over time"do they slowly lose gas anyway? If you lost gas then you have a leak..over time they can develop leaks in the soldered joints from vibration..sometimes the Schrader valves can leak, a lot of repair crews won't ( or can't) want to go to the trouble of finding and repairing the leak ( sometimes very difficult ) so will just re-fill the gas..+ they know it will be more easy work for them to come back and re-fill again in a couple of months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 2 minutes ago, Beggar said: It is good if you can do it yourself. I had four different companies for my aircon cleaning. I will not call one of them anymore. Exactly my experience even on a brand new install the bodgery was unbelievable.....Tescos own installers.....NO EARTH cable, wrong colour cables, gave them the correct wire colours and the EARTH. As for the THAI RANT comment from MOONLOVER........try 10 years of nonsense like this, the truth hurts many are simply awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaanbiker Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 OP, please ask people in the hood who's doing a good job. We pay around 800 baht per unit, but they do take all out and clean it properly and refill them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frequentatore Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 I also clean air conditioners myself/water spray. Ice = Refrigerant leak. Very difficult to find someone with a leak detector. I had to replace the evaporator (part that looks like a radiator). 10,000 THB for evaporator+refrigerant and, 3 years later, it's leaking again (Air-cond. was 29,000 new). 800 THB for refrigerant this time; it has been 2 months and it's OK... I'll never pay for an expensive part again, I'll buy a new air conditioner. R-22 replaced two months ago by R-410A (a cheaper refrigerant). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beggar Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 7 minutes ago, frequentatore said: R-22 replaced two months ago by R-410A (a cheaper refrigerant). This is interesting. I had the information that this change to R-410A will kill your aircon pretty soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 6 minutes ago, Beggar said: This is interesting. I had the information that this change to R-410A will kill your aircon pretty soon. Yep i read the same, R22 is still available ok, this units about 6 years old Samsung, first time its been a problem, Condensor mounted on the wall high up not in the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazar Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 32 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said: OP, please ask people in the hood who's doing a good job. We pay around 800 baht per unit, but they do take all out and clean it properly and refill them. We've been through all this and the problem is many Thais do not care if their walls end up with handprints for them its "nothing" they dont even notice. Im trying to check the first guy who I used who actually was careful....first one in 10 years, Wife said today she think she called the wrong guy last time by mistake the no show so maybe the first guy is ok after all........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 1 hour ago, Chazar said: what I really want to know though is "over time"do they slowly lose gas anyway? No, not normally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robblok Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 1 hour ago, Chazar said: Exactly my experience even on a brand new install the bodgery was unbelievable.....Tescos own installers.....NO EARTH cable, wrong colour cables, gave them the correct wire colours and the EARTH. As for the THAI RANT comment from MOONLOVER........try 10 years of nonsense like this, the truth hurts many are simply awful. Recently the guys installing in my home for the last few aircons were quite different from the cowboys who installed the cheaper brands. Now I have only Mitsubishi and or Daikin and they did a great job. Before with my cheaper (not sure what the brand was samsung or something like that) they were cowboys who installed it. But I am not as technical as you i did not check the colour of the cables. But did check how they put them up did they do it neatly did they use a covering pipe and so on. I havent had guys refilling for ages. The guy who comes to clean says it only happens if an aircon is not installed properly or springs a leak. Not something normal anyway. Before I always had them topping up (again the old brand not the Mitsubishi, Daikin not sure just installed a month ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.