Originally Posted By: cbottger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I do realize HI’s do not include trouble shooting within the scope of an inspection, but perhaps there are other people like me than just can not stand not to know Why something is not working the way it is designed to operate Thus I am going to ask a trouble shooting type of question. Its late so will make it brief.
When operating an A/C unit and the TD is say 5 degrees and the suction line or the big line is very warm to the touch and the unit has been operating for approximately 15 minutes what would be the most probably cause of failure to have a proper TD. ONE STAR FOR THE CORRECT ANSWER 
-- Don't argue with an idiot someone watching may not be able to tell the difference.
Originally Posted By: cbottger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Doug I have a problem was born with two mouths and one ear.
No I do not troubleshoot for my clients the unit either works or it does't. Am just trying to generate some traffic on his thread. It would be very obvious if the condenser was dirty or the fan was not running I am looking for a sympton that is not so obvious but can for the most part be detected without a set of gages by simply feeling of the suction line.
Thank you for your input Doug but no Star.
-- Don't argue with an idiot someone watching may not be able to tell the difference.
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
If you are looking for a common problem it would be low on freon from a schrader valve leak. My second choice would be coil obstruction. You said A/C instead of heat pump, so I ruled out the 'ole stuck reversing valve.
I would rather learn all I can about each part of the home inspection than turn a deaf ear to instruction. Keep the thought provoking questions coming, Charlie!
Originally Posted By: cbottger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks Blaine just trying.
Low on freon would not feel very warm to the touch on the suction line as there would probally not be the proper amount of freon to generate any heat in the discharge or suction line and at some point low freon could give you frost on the suction line and the same with a restricted air flow across the evap will give you a frosted suction line. Sorry no star.
-- Don't argue with an idiot someone watching may not be able to tell the difference.
Originally Posted By: cbottger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The answer I was looking for to the question posted above concerened the compressor itself. If the discharge valve for the compressor was not holding, seating or broken the hot gas discharge will bleed back into the suction and the line will become very warm to the touch and if the compressor runs for very long under these conditions the internal overload within the windings of the compressor motor will open and the compressor will shut down but the condenser fan motor will contuine to run giving a false impression to the casual observer that the unit is running as designed. As a HI I always use the touch and feel method to ensure the compressor is indeed running.
– Don’t argue with an idiot someone watching may not be able to tell the difference.