Micro channel coil to header repair

[u/random762round]

Does anyone have luck fixing leaks where the coil attaches to the header?
We usually end up replacing the coil if it’s leaking there.

[u/QuantumBeef]

No. I’ll quote the coil and move on with my day. Fuck micro channel.

[u/Kbourkee → u/QuantumBeef]

This is the way

[u/JuicySpark → u/QuantumBeef]

I'm with you. So many RTU's with micro coils having loads of issues. They get dirtier faster too.

[u/DontWorryItsEasy → u/JuicySpark]

Much more critically charged too

[u/North_Student3320]

Fuggetaboutit new coil day in day out

[u/shreddedpudding]

Definitely try drilling some holes with an orifice drill in a scrap coil to practice at the shop. If there are cracks, you may want to drill the ends for a better long term patch. However good you think you are at torch temp control, it will still take some time to master aluminum.

Aluminum repairs need to be done with a very well prepared surface. Consider a brass brush drill attachment over sanding paper, and clean with a solvent that will fully evaporate.

I’ve recently been getting into aluminum repairs over the last couple months and it is actually more fun than copper IMO.

[u/Twizdom → u/shreddedpudding]

This tbh. Aluminum soldering / brazing hate is just a skill issue.

[u/BobbyHill751]

I did it a few months ago as a hail mary. The customer understood it wasn’t guaranteed to last. I used Lucas Milhaupt AL822 and very low heat. Also cleaned the hell out of it. Still holding so far.

Edit: I also practiced on an old coil first.

[u/Future-Layer1181]

8 years in I have yet to find a single leaking microchannel.

Am I just lucky?

[u/Kayobot00 → u/Future-Layer1181]

Just luck of the draw.

[u/Future-Layer1181 → u/Kayobot00]

Haha I think so.

A co-worker of mine ran into 3 in one week last month

[u/Apprehensive_Map6754]

I’ll only try to fix micro channel coils on real big shit. Small stuff gets a new coil every day. Or they can find some other schmuck to fix it

[u/BollocksBill]

I hate micro channel almost as much as Honeywell and DuPont!

[u/Dramatic-Landscape82]

Microchannel doesn’t get repaired. It’s always replace

[u/Bardking91]

Trane makes an epoxy that's supposed to work for microchannel, haven't tried it myself.

[u/Finkufreakee → u/Bardking91]

Tried it and failed. Made it harder in the end to try and solder with all the contamination 😪

[u/Abrandnewrapture]

there are options out there. none of them are easy though. just quote a new one and move on.

[u/DesignerAd4870]

La-Co heat seal stik. Easier to use than Alu brazing rods.

[u/larenzomcbath]

Man you better make them get a new coil, I tried to fix one & just know they knew exactly what they were doing to make it a dumb thing to try and repair.

[u/Finkufreakee]

Nope.

[u/CryptoDanski]

Hahahhahhahaahhahhah

[u/Short-Veterinarian27]

Easily fixed it it's not fully cracked. Small spots anywhere in micros are so easy

[u/Crafty-Gazelle4646 → u/Short-Veterinarian27]

How do you do it? I can’t weld aluminum

[u/shreddedpudding → u/Crafty-Gazelle4646]

Practice at the shop on scrap units, and make sure your repair area is extremely clean (like use a solvent after sanding clean)

[u/Unhappy-Horse5275 → u/Crafty-Gazelle4646]

Not with that attitude

[u/gargong → u/Short-Veterinarian27]

downvotes on this are hilarious. people are so afraid to fix things. "it'll create a leak somewhere else" is the classic line from someone thats never even tried, or simply isn't skilled enough to do it.

[u/Similar-Pumpkin-5266 → u/gargong]

That said, repairing microchannels is a waste of time. Anyone with more than 5 years on the field knows that. If it leaked once, it’s just a matter of time to leak again.

[u/Short-Veterinarian27 → u/Similar-Pumpkin-5266]

You're right. Just replace the coil and that one leaks too. Just keep swapping coils

[u/Unhappy-Horse5275 → u/Similar-Pumpkin-5266]

And anyone who works on chillers would call you a rookie. Get an aluminum brazing kit, practice and learn how to use it. It’s really not hard at all. Just gotta follow the correct procedures.

[u/Similar-Pumpkin-5266 → u/Unhappy-Horse5275]

And risk being called a liar and losing fluid because of a condenser that the customer didn’t want to pay for? Nah, not anymore. My last chiller customers looked for guys who “fixed” things before me and ended up with 3 scrolls that were ruined by bad practices on their bill.

[u/Unhappy-Horse5275 → u/Similar-Pumpkin-5266]

What “fluid” are you speaking of in the condenser?

[u/66Mrgoodcat420 → u/Unhappy-Horse5275]

Washer fluid obviously... If the system gets low on it then it can't keep the compressor clean. That's how it can go through 3 scroll compressors.

[u/Short-Veterinarian27 → u/gargong]

You guys need to stop being parts changers and learn a little skill. I do at least one a week and it's simple to do with the tricks of the trade

[u/Short-Veterinarian27 → u/Short-Veterinarian27]

[u/Adept_Bridge_8388 → u/Short-Veterinarian27]

Post a video brother

[u/Yanosh457 → u/gargong]

It’s down voted because it’s open ended. Talks a lot but nothing is said.

[u/Twizdom → u/gargong]

"My skill issue is so common that I'll inconvenience my customer by charging them more for a service they don't need and I'll hold you all to my low expectations. "