Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

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Dgreen
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Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by Dgreen »

I work for a small town fire department. A compressor on one of our engines has seized up. Is there a way to tell what type of condenser it has? I'm also looking for suggestions for places to find parts for big trucks. The compressor is a Seltc TM-31HD The engine is a 2003 E-One Typhoon

Thanks,
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bohica2xo
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Re: Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by bohica2xo »

We have some people here on the forum with class 8 truck experience, may take a couple of days for them to chime in.

That TM31 compressor is a pretty tough unit - it almost had to run out of oil somehow to seize. It has a sight glass on the oil sump too. I have dealt with a few on motorhomes.

Generally oil leaks out WITH refrigerant - so perhaps the system was topped up multiple times.

Post pics of the condenser in question if you can. E-One is very proprietary with their parts, but they bought that heat exchanger somewhere. Between all of us here we might recognize it.

The site sponsor http://www.ackits.com/ can supply that compressor.
Dgreen
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Re: Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by Dgreen »

I got the compressor off yesterday. I pulled the sight glass out and there was no oil. No evidence of metal in the suction or discharge ports. Thinking it got hot and ruined the clutch. Would it be safe to put on a new compressor and dryer then vac and recharge?
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bohica2xo
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Re: Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by bohica2xo »

Wow.

There should have been 500cc's or 16 ounces of oil in that sump.

The first question is Where did that oil go?

As far as a compressor only replace, we will need more info for that decision.

How many hours on the truck? A/C used how many months out of the year?

How many evaporators on the truck?

What expansion devices are used?

Is there a single Receiver/Drier or multiple units?

.
Dgreen
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Re: Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by Dgreen »

I have spoke with Tim at ACKits about this. I sent him some pictures of the compressor discharge and suction ports. No metal visible. He thinks the clutch failed possibly because of low battery amperage. Thinks we should be ok replacing the compressor and dryer only. He saved us a lot of money on the compressor!

It looks like the oil leaked at the sight glasses.
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bohica2xo
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Re: Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by bohica2xo »

So the compressor was not seized? Just the clutch bearing?

.
Dgreen
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Re: Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by Dgreen »

Correct.

Thanks for taking he time to help.
Dgreen
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Re: Parallel or Serpentine Condenser

Post by Dgreen »

We have cold AC in our fire engine again! Been working good for about a week. It wasn't working very well after we charged it. Had to change the expansion block and vac and recharge. Lesson learned.
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