Page 1 of 1

testing condenser and evaporator for obstructions/fouling ?

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:22 am
by Craigs2
When a system is open for repairs, is there a procedure for testing the condenser and evaporator for obstructions or fouling? For example, measuring how much pressure it takes to produce a certain flow rate? or measuring how much of a vacuum can be pulled with a given cfm pump? I'm thinking this might be possible given the the narrow passages of modern condensers. Except they seem to be so inexpensive that blind replacement of a condenser is more economical than testing first.

Re: testing condenser and evaporator for obstructions/fouling ?

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:10 am
by JohnHere
Interesting thoughts, but I've never heard of doing that. Normally, an evaporator can leak but doesn't clog because any debris that makes it past the condenser and dryer will stop at the OT screen or TXV.

A condenser definitely can clog with debris shed from a disintegrating compressor. But the condenser (a system's main filter) normally is just replaced, along with the compressor, receiver/dryer or accumulator, and possibly the metering device.

As you suggest, it's done that way for practicality and cost purposes.