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View Full Version : Need Help: My AC starts cooling fine but then stops. Making *hissing* sound when on..


missjsmith.11
Aug 20, 2010, 03:26 AM
Hello, I have a few problems with my AC. About 1 day ago my AC stopped working. It turns on perfectly and blows air (alittle). After noticing that it wasn't working currently I turned it off and realized that the Filter was a little wet and the water pan? On the bottom of the unit had a little water. Nothing much maybe about 2 cups worth. So I open the door/hatch that I seent he leak was coming from and it was covered in ice (not much). I let all the ice melt before I installed the new filter. Everything went well after that, I let the water dry and put everything back together. It was working perfect for about 2 hours until the air coming from the vent was getting weaker and weaker. I let the unit run for about 5-6 hours and notice no water was coming from the Condensate Drain and I didn't feel the pipe was wet or cold, first time this has happen. I also notice a *hissing* sound coming from 1 of 2 pipes. Both are copper pipes but 1 has a black wrapping. I think the hissing was coming from the one with the black wrapping, sorry not sure what the proper name is. It was start *hissing* and stop on and off for the first few minutes but then it just started to hiss without stopping. The noise sounds like boiling water or a pipe with a hole in it under a little water. I open the door/hatch that the copper lines go to and it was covered in ice (alot). I couldn't see anything but ice. Im not sure if all that ice was prevent air from flowomg. Right now as I'm typing I'm letting the ice melt. Any help would be awsome. Here is a list of problems with my AC. Sorry for this huge wall of text.



1. AC is not blowing enough air. Will work perfect for 2 hours and then seems to get weaker.

2. Hissing sound coming from a copper line with black wrapping.

3. A lot of ice inside the place the copper lines connect too. Maybe 1 inch of ice on everything.

4. Ice isn't melting. Normally the Condensate pipes drains the ice that melts but there is nothing to melt when I open the door. Its all ice.

5. AC isn't cooling the house. Im stuck at 77 but I assume that's from the lack of airflow. Again, It works perfectly for the first 2 hours after I let all the ice melt.



Model:Bryant MODEL 310AAV/JAV

missjsmith.11
Aug 20, 2010, 03:39 AM
Edit on Number 4.


4. Ice isn't melting WHEN ON. Normally the Condensate pipes drains the ice that melts but there is nothing melting. I turned off the unit and open the door. Its all ice.

missjsmith.11
Aug 20, 2010, 03:52 AM
Another thing I think might be a problem.


I think the ice overload might be coming from a possible leak from the copper pipe (freon?) that is making the hissing/leaking sound. Maybe that might be the reason why its overloading with ice and preventing airflow?

missjsmith.11
Aug 20, 2010, 06:12 AM
Okay, Just a update for whoever can help. The ice melted and I have turned the AC back on. Working fine again but its still make that hissing noise. Its almost like someone sucking on a straw when the cup is empty. That's kind of noise. Maybe it needs freon?

How does one know if your AC need freon?

Also, Its over 100 degrees here but I will have to turn off and on my AC to keep my house decently cool because my kids are dying of heat. Hehe

missjsmith.11
Aug 20, 2010, 09:25 PM
Okay, I put my AC on fan only and on ON and it seems to be cooling fine. Not sure is this helps.

Stratmando
Aug 21, 2010, 05:47 AM
Can't help with the hissing, I have seen dirty filters or restricted air flow cause unit to Ice up.
I would check/change filter and while it is out, look up inside at the coils for clogging.
I like to have just the Fan on, not set to cool to help defrost?