A/C coil leak

[montesa]

Just get 7 window units. You’ll be all set.

 

[saddlebum]

And for today's issue, we have a leak in our A/C A frame coil or whatever it is called. We had our ducts cleaned because of my breathing issues and they found it with their scope.
Does anyone know if it can be repaired or will we have to buy a new heat & air unit? Thanks in advance.

if they found it with their scope that sounds more like a drain pan leak not refrigerant. a lot of drain pans will come off and can be replaced with out replacing the coil. I jb welded one once

 

[OHJEEZE]

Just get 7 window units. You’ll be all set.

Until the electric bill arrives!

 

[kingfish]

if they found it with their scope that sounds more like a drain pan leak not refrigerant. a lot of drain pans will come off and can be replaced with out replacing the coil. I jb welded one once

After thinking about this, what saddlebum says makes sense. The refrigerant would have to actually be spewing out the leak at the time they were looking at it with the scope otherwise there would be no evidence of a leak unless it was an obvious visible hole. It would not remain in a liquid form. If the system is still cooling, I don't think you have an A coil leak.

 

[Fredkrueger100]

My coil was 400 bucks to put in myself. If you got someone to do it for that you got a deal.
Rick, Yes they can be repaired sometimes. My guess is it's worth just replacing. BEWARE of companies that want to replace the whole system because the coil is leaking. We had four companies, including big names like Air Comfort Solutions, tell us we needed a whole new unit for $3000-5000 after checking the coil for leaks.
Replaced the coil myself and haven't had a problem since. Sitting here right now in 73 degree house. It's 91 outside.

Dang, you gotta be roasting. Lol. I keep mine at 67.

 

[RickN]

That makes sense. They think it is a leak because mold is forming on the coil. The unit is cooling just fine so it could be some other kind of leak.

 

[RickN]

Dang, you gotta be roasting. Lol. I keep mine at 67.

Me too. 67 to 68.

 

[kingfish]

That makes sense. They think it is a leak because mold is forming on the coil. The unit is cooling just fine so it could be some other kind of leak.

When the unit is running the A coil will frost over from the humidity in the air that freezes out. When the unit shuts off. The frost melts and the water drips into the catch pan and funneled into a drainpipe. If they are seeing mold it is because a section of the tubing is never completely drying out between cycles. I am no mold expert so what species it is is beyond me. It could be benign or a serious health issue. Mold on the coils is not normal in my opinion. I would consult with a H&A expert and ask them what might be causing this. It might just need a good cleaning.

 

[montesa]

Can’t the coil get dirty and hold on to moisture? I’ve seen them clean the coil and all kinds of stuff comes out.

 

[kingfish]

Can’t the coil get dirty and hold on to moisture? I’ve seen them clean the coil and all kinds of stuff comes out.

Yes they can, but it is usually because of using cheap filters that let too much particulate matter through. Some of it sticks on your duct walls and some will accumulate on the A coil. Once that starts to build up and stays wet then mold will grow.