Two questions about my elderly unit....

When the A/C kicks on...the inside units makes a lot of noise that would similar to hearing water running through your inside pipes as it travels to a hose running outside. That high pitched sound, if you know what I mean... Never seemed abnormal because it didn't last long but now it seems to make that noise for a long time after it starts. Is this a warning or normal?


Second, had to replace a capacitor last year b/c the fan was not kicking on with the outside unit. Do those capacitors just quit and that is it or can than go in and out as they "Go Bad"? I came home last night and heard the compressor going but no fan. Went outside and couldn't get the fan to start spinning, then as I walked away, it started....like maybe a thermostat finally initiated the fan....  Anyway, been keeping and on it this morning. Seemed to be working fine when I got up. So, I just turned it on again and again, no fan. Had to go out and give it a nudge to get it started.


Might as well ask about A/C brands while I'm at it. Neighbor has a Trane that is only about 4 years old, it went down for 5 days b/c of a coolant leak that took them a few days to fix (new coils)... What units are GTG and what brands are the Hesse of the AC world?

Most of what you're saying points to a faulty capacitor for the outdoor fan or failing outdoor fan bearings.  If you have a basic electrical meter and google fu skills you can test the capacitor.  You can also take the top off the A/C and see if there is any play in the motor bearings.  Obviously turn it off at the breaker first.  As far as brands go, if you're looking to replace the system, I would stick with American Standard or Trane.  We install American Standard with is exactly the same thing as Trane.  Rheem also rates highly.  Quality of install is just as important as equipment choice.

yep, sounding like capacitor again...


I can do straight ac down here

Do an AMP draw on the fan motor also and compare that against the manf. specs.

I doubt its a defrost mode because I can push the fan and get it to start running. Same thing that happened last year when the capacitor went bye bye.

Fan motor is not even 4 years old..as above, I'm kind of leaning towards the capacitor. Capacitor cost me a whopping $3 last year so it will be worth it to replace it and see what happens.

Cool....you are confirming what the unit is doing. I bought a new cap yesterday guess I'll go ahead and throw it in.