Goodman Heat Pump problem/Icing

13 years ago

I need help! The last 2 days I noticed at approx. noon time our Goodman heat pump would not cycle off and would go to 2nd stage cooling (yellow light on thermostat) and had a problem bringing the temp. down to 78. after about midnight it would go to set temp and then cycle on/off. Today I noticed reduced air flow from registers and call an AC tech to come out at 9 pm this evening. The following is what occurred:

Tech arrived and took off lower panel of inside air handler and noted the extreme Ice on the coil (he had asked me to turn off the system for 1 hour prior to his arrival and it was still pretty thick. I asked if I could put a hairdryer on it to defrost it-he said just wait a few more minutes because ther's also heavy iceing underneath the filter. I did not see this and he didn't seem to want me to look. Anyway he first said I had a major leak and then he got another call and he said he would finish with me in about 30 minutes(to the person on the phone).

We went outside to the compressor (after sufficient thawing of icing problem). He checked the r410 level and had me look at the gage and said it was really low! He was on the phone again and then went to his truck to get some freon/all the time on the phone. I wanted to observe him adding the freon and check the gages as he had showed me when they were low. It was dark and he obviously didn't want me observing! Well, he came back in the house and said the bill was $150.00. He said he just added a "little" freon. He had turned on the cooling againg before he SUPPOSEDLY added the freon. The green light came on and it seemed to quickly bring the temp down to 80 degrees from 82 (san antonio, tx. which luckily not too hot this evening) I mentioned that even though I probably had a leak that could it be that the thawing allowed the unit too work again. I asked if he could come back in the AM and check the refrigerant level and I would pay him then. Reluctantly he said OK and told me to call him anytime during the night even if a problem, Well, 10 minutes after he left the unit went to 2nd stage and the flow from the registers was again redcuced and the unit would not cool below 80. I called his number and NO ANSWER!

I am normally a trusting person-bit I don't think he added any freon in the hopes that the thawing process would make the unit run again temporarily-but it went back to the same problem as before I called him. I even took the lower case off again and I could see the ice forming. Now, later at night after allowing it to de-ice again as the temps are lower, it will start to cycle on/off again probably until about noon tomorrow and then stay on in 2nd stage and ice up.

I am typing this at 4:30 AM after no sleep-checking the cycle times so I hope I'm understandable! Anyone offer some advice/help? Do I have a small/large leak? what should it cost to diagnose? The Goodman unit is only 2 years old and I heard there could be leaks where they sodder the copper. I have a TXV(TVX?) valve which feels warm when the fluid is passing through the copper pipe but when it iced up and it was turned off the pipe felt ice cold and dripped with condensatio (cold). Thanks, Tedrik

Comments (9)

tigerdunes
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
what mdl Goodman?

I personally would get another dealer/tech to look at the unit. I would not pay a dime to the other company.

What mdl Goodman?

Difficult to say from long distance but I doubt if tech added any freon as it sounds as if he had something better to do.

I assume all filters are clean. Did you happen to look at evap coil? Did it look clean?

If this is a leak, then make certain dye is used when freon is added to locate the leak. Good techs can locate leaks. You don't want a gas n go service call.

post back and let us know results.

sorry for your trouble.

IMO
tedrik
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I have not heard from last nights tech! Maybe he is going to SEND me a bill. I guess my common sense questions may have "rattled" him. I have another tech coming today (through SERVICE MAGIC). The heat pump is running fine today because the set temp is higher than outside temp (expecting heavy rain bands here in san antonio from hurricane so it,s cool today). inside handler is goodman model: AEPF426016, outside compressor is: SS2160361A.
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tedrik
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sorry-the model is: inside handler: Goodman: aepf 426016 Outside compressor: Model ss2160361A. I change the filter every 2 weeks in the summer (hot here in san antonio) The coils was clean but iced up. Leak?? Thanks again, Tedrik
tedrik
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Tech came out yesterday: clean filter(change every 2 weeks in summmer); clean as a whistle coil; so he added 3 pounds of freon and now blowing cold air with normal cycling(further proof the tech before did "nada" nothing" which is disturbing. I am thinking of filing a complaint as he may be taking advantage of others with minimal/no knowlede of AC/heat pumps. P,S. hope it's a tiny leak and I can go 2 more years! Tedrik
tigerdunes
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
same tech or different tech/dealer.

3# of refrigerant is a great deal and if leak was not located you will have more trouble in the future. the question is when? was any dye added in as I suggested?

glad you are getting cool air.

IMO
donniehvac
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Here's my two cents: any company who installs a Goodman is selling on price, not reputability, quality of product or any other factor related to quality. It's price! With that often comes inexperienced installers and/or service technicians. I know, I know, there are some good companies that install Goodman, and there are many lousy contractors installing the more reputable brands, but for the most part it's my belief that if you're going to install a Goodman, quality is not a major factor. Hope it works out for you.
tedrik
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A different tech/company. I asked about shooting some dye through and he said -not this time. Found out why he said that because as he was leaving and I asked how much I owed him he said "nothing" it's warranty wrk. He thought his company had done the installation. Being the honest person that I am (LOL)-I told him your company had not-so I paid $209.00. I think if he knew I was a new customer he may have done the dye check-he seeme to feel bad about it. How long do you think the charge will last-Ifigure it took 2 years to leak that much (unless it was a recently developed leak) so hopefully I'll get another 2 years. I should have kept the 15 year old TRANE-It was still working-but-you never know! Tedrik
garyg
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That system is still under warranty - 10 years parts from Goodman. Refrigerant is not covered under warranty.

You have to find that leak. Could be as simple as the Schraeder valve - same type of valve that's on your tires. Or could be many other places. Since it's a heat pump, charge is very important, particularly when in heating mode.

Good luck.
srercrcr
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I always use Tri-County air. Never a problem.

Goodman Heat Pump problem/Icing

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