Symptoms in this system include high discharge temperatures, high condensing pressures, high condenser splits, normal-to-high condenser
Restriction Consequences
The system will have symptoms of low suction pressures, high evaporator and compressor superheats, normal-to-high condenser subcooling, low compressor amp draws, and low head pressures.
Higher Energy Consumption: A restricted condenser can lead to longer operating cycles and increased energy consumption as the system works harder to compensate for the reduced heat transfer. This can result in higher utility bills and unnecessary energy waste.
If you find any confirmable temperature drop across a line drier, then you can know it's restricted. Just make sure to double-check. Across a typical liquid line, you will generally only see a few degrees of temperature drop, but it does depend on the ambient temperature, condensing temperature, and line length.
Symptoms of a Faulty Orifice Tube
You might notice a significant drop in cooling performance, unusual hissing noises, or even frost on the evaporator. These symptoms indicate that the refrigerant is not being properly regulated, which can lead to inefficient cooling and potential damage to other components.
If you see the low side of an AC system go into a vacuum like this you have a restriction in the system. In this case it was a bad expansion valve.
Filter driers are designed to remove foreign material from a refrigeration or air conditioning system, and they are notorious for becoming restricted from moisture, sludge, dirt, or oil that has entered the system due to poor service practice or extreme operating conditions.
You might feel warm air flowing through the vents, or you might notice that your AC is weaker than it used to be. If air flow seems fine, but the air coming up isn't cool, then you likely have a refrigerant problem.
A blocked condenser coil directly lowers the amount of cooling that your air conditioning system provides. A principal reason behind this is that the obstructed AC condenser coils clog the airflow as the dirt serves as a barrier between condenser coils and refrigerants.
A dirty condenser or restricted airflow across the coil cannot reject this heat fast enough. The condensing temperature and pressure will elevate. Once the temperature is elevated, the condenser split will become greater and heat can be rejected at the required rate.
If the filter drier is partially clogged, there may be a few degree temp drop across it. However, if the filter drier is completely clogged, there will be a large temperature drop across it and likely frost due to the low temp of the refrigerant exiting the clogged filter drier.
Longer Cooling Cycles
A dirty condenser coil can cause your air conditioner to run longer cooling cycles. The restricted airflow and reduced heat dissipation result in prolonged operating times to achieve the desired indoor temperature.
A TXV being restricted will cause the evaporator, compressor, and condenser to be starved of refrigerant. This will cause low suction pressures, high superheats, low amp draws, and low head pressures. Also, the symptoms of a restricted TXV system are very similar to a system with a refrigerant undercharge.
Not vacuuming your AC system, especially after installation or service, will result in you not enjoying the system's optimal performance. Why? When the air conditioning system is exposed to the atmosphere, elements like air, humidity, and moisture might accumulate in the system.
Shortage of refrigerant. A leaking compressor head gasket. A leaking compressor suction valve. Debris in expansion valve or screen.
Some common factors for “short cycling” of A/C. Over sizing is a common cause. Dirty condenser coil, poor air flow, bad thermostat, poor thermostat location, etc…
The restriction orifice which is physically a thin plate with one or more hole in it, is normally installed in the piping by being inserted between two existing flanges.