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Home > Archive > Home Repair forum > February 2006 > Trane XE80 cleaning question
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Trane XE80 cleaning question
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| I have a Trane XE 80 A/C, gas heater combination unit. For a few months now,
there has been a "musty" smell. My A/C guy checked it out and put a liquid
chemical cleaner behind the filter that was then spread through the system
via the fan (it was not applied to anything directly). That seemed to take
care of it for a while, but now the odor is back. Also, the filter, which I
replace regularly (3M), has moisture collecting on it to the point that the
metal stabilizers in back sometimes have some rust on them. I mentioned this
to my A/C person as well, but he just says neither he nor his boss have any
idea what might be causing this accumulation of moisture. He also claims the
inside part of the A/C unit is "self-contained" and cannot be cleaned (he
serviced the condensator (?) outside and cleaned it). I would just get
another A/C person, but I have a maintenance contract with these guys (long
story of company resales) and would loathe to pay someone else to come out
if there's nothing to be done.
I have searched the hvac forums in vain for any information on this type of
problem with the XE 80 or even a comparable Trane unit (everybody else just
seems to have issues with the gas heater auto ignition). Any ideas?
I also searched for a schematic to see whether the unit is really
"self-contained" and "doesn't need cleaning" as the A/C guy stated, but I
have had no luck there either (Trane's website doesn't list the XE 80
anymore). The unit is 10 years old and mostly used for A/C. Apart from the
odor, I have had no issues with it. The odor clearly seems to originate near
the unit and not in the vents.
Thanks for any help in advance!
KB
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| On Mon, 27 Feb 2006 22:20:33 GMT, "KB" <Nospam@nospam.spam> wrote:
>I have a Trane XE 80 A/C, gas heater combination unit. For a few months now,
>there has been a "musty" smell. My A/C guy checked it out and put a liquid
>chemical cleaner behind the filter that was then spread through the system
>via the fan (it was not applied to anything directly). That seemed to take
>care of it for a while, but now the odor is back. Also, the filter, which I
>replace regularly (3M), has moisture collecting on it to the point that the
>metal stabilizers in back sometimes have some rust on them. I mentioned this
>to my A/C person as well, but he just says neither he nor his boss have any
>idea what might be causing this accumulation of moisture. He also claims the
>inside part of the A/C unit is "self-contained" and cannot be cleaned (he
>serviced the condensator (?) outside and cleaned it). I would just get
>another A/C person, but I have a maintenance contract with these guys (long
>story of company resales) and would loathe to pay someone else to come out
>if there's nothing to be done.
>
>I have searched the hvac forums in vain for any information on this type of
>problem with the XE 80 or even a comparable Trane unit (everybody else just
>seems to have issues with the gas heater auto ignition). Any ideas?
>I also searched for a schematic to see whether the unit is really
>"self-contained" and "doesn't need cleaning" as the A/C guy stated, but I
>have had no luck there either (Trane's website doesn't list the XE 80
>anymore). The unit is 10 years old and mostly used for A/C. Apart from the
>odor, I have had no issues with it. The odor clearly seems to originate near
>the unit and not in the vents.
>
>Thanks for any help in advance!
>KB
>
>
The indoor cooling coil which is most likely in an enclosed sheetmetal
supply plenum directly above your furnace CAN be cleaned. Keep in mind
though, if it is in the supply plenum and it has no door or access
then it is customary to charge extra to clean it. It involves
carefully cutting a hole in your plenum to access the coil so as to
avoid puncturing the coil. The coil needs to have a chemical applied
to it (from Trane) to get rid of the smell. It sounds like you are
describing what is called "Dirty Sock Syndrome". (Google It). Cleaning
can help but for the most part, replacing the coil with a new one is
the only way to completly rid yourself of the plenum.
Lastly, if someone cuts a hole in your plenum, have them repair the
hole with a "split door" so next time you can just slide the door open
to access the coil. It'll save you that extra charge next time. Thats
the difference between a "Tin-Knocker" and a sheetmetal craftsman.
Bubba
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"Bubba >" <<ReMoVe likealake@iname.com> wrote in message
news:cmv602dsvuevc89nkl4cpqr1emvglv9sbg@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 27 Feb 2006 22:20:33 GMT, "KB" <Nospam@nospam.spam> wrote:
> supply plenum directly above your furnace CAN be cleaned. Keep in mind
> though, if it is in the supply plenum and it has no door or access
> then it is customary to charge extra to clean it. It involves
> carefully cutting a hole in your plenum to access the coil so as to
> avoid puncturing the coil. The coil needs to have a chemical applied
> to it (from Trane) to get rid of the smell. It sounds like you are
> describing what is called "Dirty Sock Syndrome". (Google It). Cleaning
> can help but for the most part, replacing the coil with a new one is
> the only way to completly rid yourself of the plenum.
> Lastly, if someone cuts a hole in your plenum, have them repair the
> hole with a "split door" so next time you can just slide the door open
> to access the coil. It'll save you that extra charge next time. Thats
> the difference between a "Tin-Knocker" and a sheetmetal craftsman.
> Bubba
Thank you very much, Bubba! I will mention this to the A/C guy and if he
won't do it, I'll find someone else! At least it sounds as though this is
"do-able". Also thanks very much for the "split door" hint. That makes a lot
of sense!!
KB
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| Bubba 2006-02-27, 11:21 pm |
| On Mon, 27 Feb 2006 23:09:17 GMT, "KB" <Nospam@nospam.spam> wrote:
>
>"Bubba >" <<ReMoVe likealake@iname.com> wrote in message
>news:cmv602dsvuevc89nkl4cpqr1emvglv9sbg@4ax.com...
I meant "problem" above, Not "plenum" :-)
[color=darkred]
>
>Thank you very much, Bubba! I will mention this to the A/C guy and if he
>won't do it, I'll find someone else! At least it sounds as though this is
>"do-able". Also thanks very much for the "split door" hint. That makes a lot
>of sense!!
>KB
>
>
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"Bubba >" <<ReMoVe likealake@iname.com> wrote in message
>
> I meant "problem" above, Not "plenum" :-)
I figured as much, Bubba. Thanks for clarifying though!
Also thanks for the link, Stretch! Good article, and the information from
both of you will help me ensure that the job is done right (or at least
it'll give me a better shot at ensuring it. ;))
KB
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