Heat Pump Reversing Valve

[Gremlin]

I've got a heat pump that is about 18 years old and recently it started cutting out on low pressure. The service tech told me that the reversing valve is sticking and needed to be replaced. The only problem is they can't get parts for this unit anymore and I was advised by the company doing the work to buy a new heat pump.
I asked if we could remove the reversing valve and pipe the unit in to heat only. I figure this will get me through the winter and it would also verify that this is the problem. They told me that it was a good thought but they couldn't do that.
My question is: Can this be done and if not why not? I sent them an email asking this question and they are slow to respond. Are they just trying to sell me a new unit?

[r.bartlett]

Buy a new unit you cheapskate !

[nike123]

You need defrosting of heat pump. It is defrosted by turning cycle to cooling mode and stopping indoor fan.
Therefore, it cannot be done properly.

[install monkey]

check the pipe sizes and get a 4 way valve/coil-theyre a pain in the arse to replace as u have too keep the body of the valve cool but heat the stubs sufficeiently to braze. use a wet rag and oxy acetylene,not mapp gas,oh and get a techie.
a job for chillerman?

[Gremlin]

Thanks for the replies (except for the cheapskate remark).
From the research I've done on the part number, the valve that's in there now is a 3-way. It wasn't suggested by the Tech that it could be replaced with a 4-way valve. I can't find anything about the internals of the 3-way even on the manufacturers website. They don't seem to make them anymore.
By the way, I was never considering replacing it myself. "Dammit Jim I'm an Instrument Technician, not an HVAC Specialist!" (I apologize for the Star Trek reference)

[nike123]

3-way or 4-way or reversing valve is different names for same thing.
In fact, 3-way is wrongly used name for that valve.

[r.bartlett]

Thanks for the replies (except for the cheapskate remark).
From the research I've done on the part number, the valve that's in there now is a 3-way. It wasn't suggested by the Tech that it could be replaced with a 4-way valve. I can't find anything about the internals of the 3-way even on the manufacturers website. They don't seem to make them anymore.
By the way, I was never considering replacing it myself. "Dammit Jim I'm an Instrument Technician, not an HVAC Specialist!" (I apologize for the Star Trek reference)

That's a shame because it's the best advice you will get here. 18 years old the system is past it's useful life. You'll be throwing good money after bad on an outdated inefficient unreliable system..

Just get on and buy it ...You're wasting time here

[Gremlin]

The price of a new heat pump right now is cost prohibitive. If I have to replace it I'll go with a propane furnace and worry about the air conditioning later. Besides, other than this valve problem there's nothing wrong with this unit and I'd like to wring every last minute of use out of it.
I can't believe that it would be that difficult to cross-reference another valve that could perform the same function. Is one reversing valve that much different from another?

[nike123]

There is nothing to cross-reference except coil voltage, shape of valve and size of valve pipes.

[r.bartlett]

The price of a new heat pump right now is cost prohibitive. If I have to replace it I'll go with a propane furnace and worry about the air conditioning later. Besides, other than this valve problem there's nothing wrong with this unit and I'd like to wring every last minute of use out of it.
I can't believe that it would be that difficult to cross-reference another valve that could perform the same function. Is one reversing valve that much different from another?


They are all pretty much std. Take the details off the vavle and Google away..

[mikeref]

There is nothing to cross-reference except coil voltage, shape of valve and size of valve pipes.
Oh, may i butt in here? This is not relevant to the coffin dodger a/c but i heard r410a reversing valves cannot be replaced with R22 valves. Plenty R22 units still running here, same for R410..Mike.

[joe-ice]

cannot understand why a faulty reversing valve would cause a lp fault even if the outdoor was iced up everytime i came across faulty 4way valve pressure was neutralised never seen one to stick full one way or other without faulty coil

[nike123]

....................

[nike123]

You are right, even if it is stick full one way, it will not cause low pressure fault.
Faulty 4 way could only bypass (which mean higher suction and lower discharge pressures) or it could be in end position which will be normal cooling or normal heating. Only if something is blocking suction port of valve it could cause low pressure fault, but that is not caused by valve and therefore no need to replace it.
Gremlin is probably right, they are trying to sell him new unit.

[MikeHolm]

check the pipe sizes and get a 4 way valve/coil-theyre a pain in the arse to replace as u have too keep the body of the valve cool but heat the stubs sufficeiently to braze. use a wet rag and oxy acetylene,not mapp gas,oh and get a techie.
a job for chillerman?

Install, You trying to boot CM out of the UK and into the colonies?;)

[install monkey]

nah just trying to get him work,and a holiday-maybe a fishing holiday-he's our jedi get ur own haha, if he uprooted to ur colony who would service the horses/donkeys.

[MikeHolm]

Just referenced the "look what i found post" I think you have a plan....

[simon@parker]

in 20 odd yrs have changed 2 reversing valves first one worked second one didnt if i came accross another one now would change unit that being case with yrs other guys are right it dont cause LP fault :)


install they got no orses in canada but plenty of bears perhaps CM could ride one lol :)

[install monkey]

changed about 12 reversing valves the best one on a carrier eurotop, with 1 3/8 stubbs,did an imi unit and u get the tails on the pipework so it was easy.
i love sticking reversing valves in buckets of water with stubbs hanging out just to ensure i dont cook the bugger
in 20 odd yrs have changed 2 reversing valves first one worked second one didnt if i came accross another one now would change unit that being case with yrs other guys are right it dont cause LP fault :)


install they got no orses in canada but plenty of bears perhaps CM could ride one lol :)

[simon@parker]

changed about 12 reversing valves the best one on a carrier eurotop, with 1 3/8 stubbs,did an imi unit and u get the tails on the pipework so it was easy.
i love sticking reversing valves in buckets of water with stubbs hanging out just to ensure i dont cook the bugger
i did that with second one on a daikin unit lol still had probs with it after was prob wrong bout valve but it gave all the signs of a faulty valve they dont fail very often which is good lol :)

[chillerman2006]

....................

Nice post mate, I can guess what your response was ;)


Install, You trying to boot CM out of the UK and into the colonies?;)


nah just trying to get him work,and a holiday-maybe a fishing holiday-he's our jedi get ur own haha, if he uprooted to ur colony who would service the horses/donkeys.


Just referenced the "look what i found post" I think you have a plan....

As for you 2, was someone going to let me in on the plan, take a couple of days for a bit of motoX & lady delicacies & your planning to ship me to Canada :rolleyes:

[install monkey]

do you think the canadians would let u in-look at celine dion they kicked her out.
mike found a vid of cm http://youtu.be/90h2gLgTz5g


Nice post mate, I can guess what your response was ;)







As for you 2, was someone going to let me in on the plan, take a couple of days for a bit of motoX & lady delicacies & your planning to ship me to Canada :rolleyes:

[chillerman2006]

do you think the canadians would let u in-look at celine dion they kicked her out.
mike found a vid of cm http://youtu.be/90h2gLgTz5g

Thats not me I got pink specs & vertical stripes on my MILFing (Mother I'd Like to F**k) suit :rolleyes:

Have you seen my new profile pics, I had given up drinking but I may load the fridge with beers just in case now :D

[install monkey]

rub salt in it why dont u! got a few pics to upload,it crashed when i tried uploading 6 at once,no porn ones.

Thats not me I got pink specs & vertical stripes on my MILFing (Mother I'd Like to F**k) suit :rolleyes:

Have you seen my new profile pics, I had given up drinking but I may load the fridge with beers just in case now :D

[savoc]

i do not think low pressure is caused by a stuck reversing valve. There are ways to try to free up the valve like disconnect the fans, build up high pressure and use a magnet to see if the valve moves. Another trick i got shown by a old tech (70 years old) is to use two little earth magnets. you can work out the position of the slide. place a magnet on each end of the valve (not the end caps). the little magnet will stick to the slide. then operate the valve and they will slide across the body of the valve.

[install monkey]

normally twatting it with a hammer can free it up,disconnecting the fans could be dangerous because normally on a split system the only protection u have is the hp switch.

[mikeref]

normally twatting it with a hammer can free it up,disconnecting the fans could be dangerous because normally on a split system the only protection u have is the hp switch.
The question is.... why did it stick in the first place, then will it be a problem later. Uh, good trick savoc, regarding the magnets. I have 2 of rare earth ones stuck on the fridge, need a bearing puller to move them ;). Hammer I.M?:eek:

[MikeHolm]

CM if you like Celine Dion, I pity you as she is a laughing stock over here but you can go a MILFing here as well. And of course we have orses here not just bears.

[chillerman2006]

CM if you like Celine Dion, I pity you as she is a laughing stock over here but you can go a MILFing here as well. And of course we have orses here not just bears.

Hi Mike,

Celine Dion - thats install taking the pee as usual, you've been quiet for a few hours mate, have you been fishing on that link I sent you ? had a quick check & you got some babes out there mate ;)

[Gremlin]

I want to thank everyone for their advice. After reading what you guys wrote I decided to bring in another company to look at my heat pump. The guy was there for about an hour and when he left it was up and running again. It turns out that the coil was plugged up and all he had to do was clean it out.
Sometimes it's good to be a cheapskate and ask a question or two.