An honest repair, and fair advice on replacement of the unit. I wouldn’t say the other company is making better recommendations than you. You put the power of decision making in the customers hands. Instead of trying to steer them into a replacement.
A good diagnosis and repair on the leak! This video reminded me of a problem that occurred with our Daikin ducted unit from 2006, but was installed in July of 2007. In 2015, my dad thought he would get a technician out to do a check up on the unit, but the technician instead made a leak in the outdoor unit, which caused the unit not to heat correctly as it would defrost every 30 minutes, before throwing up an error code, so we had to use an old fashioned fan heater to (sort of) heat the area we were in which was the kitchen. Dad then got another company out, who was worse than the previous and they proceeded to remove the outdoor unit because they thought the unit was done for. Dad made them put the unit back in and repair the leak, and nine years later is still heating and cooling like day one. I was only 10 when this happened, but still remember everything that happened!
I use Trace a Gas with the CPS electronic leak detector and it works very well, however it would go crazy with a leak this big and I, like you wouldn’t have bothered using it had I been able to hear it as loud as you could. I also would have done exactly as you did in advising the customer but true, that unit is on it’s last legs and I hate whenever I do a repair like that and it fails 3 months down the track and the client reminds me how much they paid 3 months back and it has already failed again.. That’s why the replacement option gets pushed onto customers..
Well done Mitchel under yesterdays cold conditions, it was - 2c down here this morning at 7.30, now it's rather a nice day.. I'd say you will be installing the new A/C unit later on 👍
Nothing beats good old soap bubbles. I cheap out and use kids bubble solution. Agree, run it into the ground and then replace. Customers value honest opinion and tend to call you back for further service/repair work
Electronic leak detectors definately have their place, when a unit is dead flat there's no use in using one. Systems with gas and an active leak I personally always have better luck with the electronic and then narrowing it down with bubbles is how I do it. Just need to make sure you have a good quality detector, Good video 👍
@@jstiles82 that’s a good point. Honestly I just had it in my head that this things getting replaced before summer which is like 4 months away but you’re right. I should have just connected it. If I was going to repair this long term, I would have replaced that whole section of pipe but yeah I guess I was just a bit lazy to be honest.
@@maracservices judging by the color of the brazing torch flame there was residual refrigerant gas in the pipe - this would act as a oxidization shield
hey mate, i was curious the port your connecting to, i'm guessing that is your discharge port, i wanted to ask why you dont check your suction line port on heating, what is the difference between the liquid line, discharge and suction for checking running pressures
@@drizz593 hey mate, good question. So the port I used was on the actual suction pipe. I didn’t use the service 3 way valves at the front. So no matter if the unit was in cooling or heating, the pressure I was getting was the suction pressure. The reason it was connected to the red hose / gauge, was simply because I assumed I’d have to nitro test it which in the end I did. I wanted to check the suction pressure because it would give me a clear answer if the unit was short on gas. It is important to note though, just because the suction pressure went down to 0kpa doesn’t mean it was 100% a leak but it was probable that was the case. The same would have happened if there was a blockage. I hope that makes sense. Also, I only use my high side gauge to nitro test something so I don’t blow my suction gauge up.
Never assume the customer will replace anytime soon,should have purged nitrogen while brazing regardless. But I get it customer said just get it up and running
@@DavidGowland-w3d fair enough mate. Honestly he said he wants to get it replaced before summer so I just soldered the leak and got it up and running but I know what you mean. If I was doing a long term fix, I would have replaced that whole section of pipe and purged nitro. Cheers
An honest repair, and fair advice on replacement of the unit. I wouldn’t say the other company is making better recommendations than you. You put the power of decision making in the customers hands. Instead of trying to steer them into a replacement.
@@1967friend thanks mate. I try to be clear and honest but never pushy. I appreciate the comment. Cheers
Great video and getting the customer heat back on a cold day without taking him to the cleaners! Well done mate
@@smarties410 thanks mate. That’s what it’s all about. Cheers
Honest man. Need more of you. Learned loads through u. Thanks.
A good diagnosis and repair on the leak! This video reminded me of a problem that occurred with our Daikin ducted unit from 2006, but was installed in July of 2007. In 2015, my dad thought he would get a technician out to do a check up on the unit, but the technician instead made a leak in the outdoor unit, which caused the unit not to heat correctly as it would defrost every 30 minutes, before throwing up an error code, so we had to use an old fashioned fan heater to (sort of) heat the area we were in which was the kitchen. Dad then got another company out, who was worse than the previous and they proceeded to remove the outdoor unit because they thought the unit was done for. Dad made them put the unit back in and repair the leak, and nine years later is still heating and cooling like day one. I was only 10 when this happened, but still remember everything that happened!
Enjoyed this episode, especially your interaction with the customer. 👌.
@@CapitalCoastHVAC thanks mate. His accent should sound familiar to you!
@@maracservices Sure did sound familiar! 😆.
I use Trace a Gas with the CPS electronic leak detector and it works very well, however it would go crazy with a leak this big and I, like you wouldn’t have bothered using it had I been able to hear it as loud as you could.
I also would have done exactly as you did in advising the customer but true, that unit is on it’s last legs and I hate whenever I do a repair like that and it fails 3 months down the track and the client reminds me how much they paid 3 months back and it has already failed again..
That’s why the replacement option gets pushed onto customers..
Well done Mitchel under yesterdays cold conditions, it was - 2c down here this morning at 7.30, now it's rather a nice day.. I'd say you will be installing the new A/C unit later on 👍
@@robalexander7348 wow that’s very cold. The altitude out your way is quite high. Have you ever seen snow there in your time living there?
@@maracservices Yes Mitch, many times its nice to see, but a mess when it melts 🥺
Nothing beats good old soap bubbles. I cheap out and use kids bubble solution. Agree, run it into the ground and then replace. Customers value honest opinion and tend to call you back for further service/repair work
I can hear it too. It’s a considerably big leak 👍
Electronic leak detectors definately have their place, when a unit is dead flat there's no use in using one.
Systems with gas and an active leak I personally always have better luck with the electronic and then narrowing it down with bubbles is how I do it.
Just need to make sure you have a good quality detector, Good video 👍
You got him out of trouble .
I get why you didn't flow nitrogen while brazing for a temporary fix, but when you had the nitro bottle already sitting there, why not connect it?
@@jstiles82 that’s a good point. Honestly I just had it in my head that this things getting replaced before summer which is like 4 months away but you’re right. I should have just connected it. If I was going to repair this long term, I would have replaced that whole section of pipe but yeah I guess I was just a bit lazy to be honest.
@@maracservices judging by the color of the brazing torch flame there was residual refrigerant gas in the pipe - this would act as a oxidization shield
Good job mate .
@@iJunSoo thanks mate
Nice work 👍
@@masudkamali9717 thanks mate!
Really enjoy your videos! Are y’all taking any apprenticeships
@@Sam-in4fk thanks mate! Not currently but if I am I’ll let you know. Are you looking at getting into the trade?
@@maracservices yes. Would you recommend or another trade
hey mate, i was curious the port your connecting to, i'm guessing that is your discharge port, i wanted to ask why you dont check your suction line port on heating, what is the difference between the liquid line, discharge and suction for checking running pressures
@@drizz593 hey mate, good question. So the port I used was on the actual suction pipe. I didn’t use the service 3 way valves at the front. So no matter if the unit was in cooling or heating, the pressure I was getting was the suction pressure. The reason it was connected to the red hose / gauge, was simply because I assumed I’d have to nitro test it which in the end I did.
I wanted to check the suction pressure because it would give me a clear answer if the unit was short on gas. It is important to note though, just because the suction pressure went down to 0kpa doesn’t mean it was 100% a leak but it was probable that was the case. The same would have happened if there was a blockage. I hope that makes sense. Also, I only use my high side gauge to nitro test something so I don’t blow my suction gauge up.
Gotta love a helicopter client.
🎉
8 degrees in an Irish winter is practically balmy. Try -1 to -10..
That happens to, but 8c is an average.
How much nitrogen did u pressure
He said. 3500kpa.
Never assume the customer will replace anytime soon,should have purged nitrogen while brazing regardless.
But I get it customer said just get it up and running
Nah come on its one tiny braze
As long as leak is fixed system holds
Vacced out
Charged running
All is good .
@@DavidGowland-w3d fair enough mate. Honestly he said he wants to get it replaced before summer so I just soldered the leak and got it up and running but I know what you mean. If I was doing a long term fix, I would have replaced that whole section of pipe and purged nitro. Cheers