If a compressor burns out, the oil turns highly acidic and there will be an acidic smell. The burnout can be severe or mild, and the technician needs to access. If you suspect a burnout or any major equipment failure, you need to take an oil sample.
Loud noises, hot air, airflow issues, uneven cooling, and electrical problems are all things you might run into when an AC compressor is on its last leg.
Air conditioners have multiple electrical components including circuit boards, power wires, fans and compressors. Smelling burning gunpowder or plastic means that one, or multiple, components are, well, burning.
Some people describe this smell as similar to acetone, nail polish remover, or even chloroform. The odor may become stronger with larger leaks, but it's often subtle enough to go unnoticed. If you notice an unusual sweet or chemical-like scent near your HVAC unit or air vents, it could be a sign of a refrigerant leak.
Your A/C Has a Burning Smell
Burning Rubber: A burning rubber smell might signal a problem with your A/C compressor, clutch, or a misaligned pulley. Either of these may cause the belt to drag, which could lead to a burning rubber smell.
Damaged Capacitor
The capacitor is responsible for storing electrical energy and helps to start the AC unit's compressor. When a capacitor overheats regularly, it can cause a burning smell. Damaged capacitors also look visibly swollen. It's important to schedule regular tune-ups to prevent damage to the capacitor.
Compressor burnout is certainly something you never want to happen to your air conditioner, so our short answer is going to be a resounding, “yes!”
If you notice that your air conditioner smells like it is burning or like gunpowder, turn off the system immediately and call the local fire department. Once your home is safe, call an expert for help.
Burning Smell or Smoke
A bad capacitor forces the motor to work harder than usual, leading to overheating and a burning smell.
Excess moisture in ducts or vents
Mould and mildew love moisture, so when there's excess moisture in the ducts and vents in your air conditioning system, it's creating the perfect environment for mould to grow. When air is blown through the vents or ducts, the musty smell will spread through your home.
After a compressor burnout, we need to flush the system with nitrogen to get rid of oil residue in the purge lines. Alternatively, we could also use a commercial system flushing solution. Both of these are approved methods of cleaning up. We cannot flush with liquid refrigerant to clean the field tubing.
In addition to warm air blowing, puddles of water or excessive moisture surrounding your AC unit can signify a refrigerant leak. If this is the case, the compressor will shut down once the refrigerant leaks out completely.
Compressor burnout is a very specific mode of failure that may be caused by high temperatures in the motor windings or discharge area of the compressor. High temperatures break down the motor winding insulation, which may cause a loss of electrical resistance and result in a short to the ground or even an open winding.
If a discharge line temperature exceeds 120°C, the temperature inside the compressor at the discharge valve or valves is 150°C or more. At that high a temperature, oil and some refrigerants begin to break down.
If the start capacitor malfunctions or wears out, it usually prevents the HVAC unit or the blower from turning on. A bad run capacitor won't prevent the unit from starting, but it can lead to the unit shutting down prematurely, overheating or making more noise than usual.
#5 - The Belt Drive Motor is Overheating
This might be causing the problem if: The burning smell from AC unit smells like burning rubber.
Does Freon Have a Unique Odor? Freon can cause a burning sensation if it comes into contact with your skin. Freon can also be hazardous if inhaled. When Freon leaks, it can cause a sweet or chemical smell.
If your AC unit smells like something crawled in there and died, then that may be exactly what happened. Rats and mice often end up trapped inside air conditioners, and rodents don't smell pleasant when they pass away.
On average, AC compressor costs range from $800 to $2,300, with most folks paying $1,200 for a new one. However, your price will vary depending on factors like the size and brand of your compressor. Before you schedule your replacement, read on to learn about all AC compressor cost factors.
When your ac compressor fails, less air will come out from the vents, the air coming out could be warm, and the system may continually run without actually cooling your home. This is because refrigerant isn't pumped through the system, and it can result in a higher power bill.
Proper evacuation and charging coupled with proper system maintenance (replacing the filter, cleaning condensers, and properly adjusted controls) will prevent many burnouts from occurring. Power issues also cause many compressor burnouts.