Any HVAC guys in/near the Springs?

[theGinsue]

Looks like the fan on my furnace is dead and while my A/C compressor keeps kicking on, it's not blowing the air through the house. I need some help.

[ray1970]

Not sure if any of this helps but...

Make sure the filter isn’t dirty. When my filter gets dirty it causes my evaporator core to ice up. While my fan is running, you’d never know it because the big block of ice restricts the air flow.

If that advice doesn’t do you any good then maybe somebody who knows what they’re talking about will come along shortly.

[Shooter45]

As ray stated, check your filter first and make sure it's not filthy or time to put in a new one. Then check the AC unit outside and verify it's not iced over. If it is, turn the AC off and let it thaw out for about 4 or 5 hours. Either of those problems can cause it not to blow and hopefully that's what it is because it's nearly free to fix yourself.

[theGinsue]

The filter was pretty clean, but I'm guessing the evaporative core is frozen (even though it doesn't feel freezing cold when touching it). Went ahead and replaced the filter.

I really looked it over and here's what I found so far:
The fan IS running but no air flow.
Turned the furnace (heat) on and still no air flow.
The circuit board is slow blinking green which the sticker says means it's OK.
The A/C Evaporative Core sits between (just above) the blower fan and (just below) the distribution vents (circulated air flow).

Turned the whole thing off. If it's just the evap core being frozen, this should self-resolve in a few hours.

Thanks Ray & Shooter. It looks like we're thinking along the same lines which makes me think we're headed in the right direction. (I owe all I know about HVAC to Wulf and other board members who showed me 80% furnace sequence of operations - thanks gents as it still applies to a degree with the A/C!)

[ray1970]

There’s no doubt when my evaporator core is iced up. I can look at it and it will be literally covered in solid ice. Usually just turning the fan on by itself for a couple of hours will thaw it out and I’m back in business.

Mine has only ever done it when the filter is restricting the return air.

If your filter wasn’t terribly dirty you might look at the air return registers and make sure something isn’t blocking them.

[Wulf202]

Yeah. Freeze ups are indicative of flow issues. Either lack of air flow or a freon flow. Clean both inside and outside coils with a spray they sell for it. The outside coil spray it down with a garden hose from the inside out then wash it down again. Check for cotton wood seeds on the outside of the coil. If you have them get a metal dog hair brush and scrub the coils with it then spray it with foaming coil cleaner.

[Wulf202]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JJ...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Except they're about $2 at walmart. Actually just Clean both coils with this and the spray.

[Wulf202]

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Safe-Foam-...6oL&ref=plSrch

If you want me to walk you thru it just call or text me.

[theGinsue]

FOUND THE PROBLEM!

At first, I was just looking out the kitchen window to verify the compressor was running - but that doesn't give a full picture. Went out and looked at it and it's iced up really good. I could already hear the ice dripping, so hopefully by bedtime I can turn it back on and get some cooling action.

I'd just checked it out on Sunday to ensure the cooling fins weren't clogged with cut grass or anything else to reduce it's function.

Thanks everyone.

ETA: Thanks Wulf. You made 3 posts while I was making me one. I'll pick up the coil spray tonight as well as a dog hair brush and hit it good. I haven't checked out the link in your last post yet and will probably do whatever it says - because if you recommend it, I'm doing it (yeah, I've got a little HVAC worship going for you bro).

[theGinsue]

So I've got the compressor unit/coils are cleaned and I used the coil fin tool to straighten out as many of the bent fins as possible.

Had another freeze up last night. Left the unit off until about 20 minutes ago. When I turned it on I could hear the fan motor fairly loudly. When I went into the furnace unit to check things out I could tell the sound was definitely from the motor that turns the main blower fan in the furnace/ac. I had a limited view of the blower fan and saw it slowly start to turn. It turned about 1/10th of a turn then stopped. Then started again, same thing. Either just the motor is an issue, or there's a problem with the bearings in the blower as well.

Clearly the a/c freezing up is because the blower isn't pushing the air as it should. I called Parky's, a local HVAC business who did follow up work on the Sears installation of the a/c (installed in 2005, failed inspection and Sears brought Parkey's in to fix it in 2006).

Going to have to pay them for "after hours" service, but it's too damned hot to not have the a/c.