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heat pump with reversing valve issue

zepfan
zepfan Member Posts: 406
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration
Has anyone had success soldering the pilot tube on a reversing valve? I have a customer with a 4 ton R22 goodman unit, that the one pilot tube that is by itself and connected to the discharge port on the valve has blown out, and therefore the unit lost it's entire charge. I have never tried to solder one of these lines back in, and am afraid the whole valve or the entire heat pimp will need to be replaced. It's 10 years old, and is out of any manufacturer's warranty. Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks to all

Comments

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,538
    You'll melt the Teflon inside the valve. You may stop the leak...and the valve from shifting. It's probably one of the Chinese reversing valves that were faulty. I had one break where the solenoid bracket was spot welded to the valve body.

    You may also have a green slime unit if it's been running very long like that.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
    Trouble is you won't know if you have succeeded in fixing it untill after you have charged it. Ten years old and R-22. Time for a whole new system.
    newagedawn
  • zepfan
    zepfan Member Posts: 406
    Thanks for the response. The customer agreed to have a new unit installed. You bring up a good point in that it would
    not be known until the unit is charged if there is further damage to the valve
    Take care
    GW
  • newagedawn
    newagedawn Member Posts: 586
    you could find out before charge with a vacuum test,...you know a vacuum pump with gauge to see if it holds vacuum down to 500 microns
    "The bitter taste of a poor install lasts far longer than the JOY of the lowest price"
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,538
    newagedawn said:

    you could find out before charge with a vacuum test,...you know a vacuum pump with gauge to see if it holds vacuum down to 500 microns

    That would be fine for a leak test, but of no value in determing if the valve would shift and not leak by internally.

    Replacement was the right decision.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.

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