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Gurgling sounds at TEV: Low evaporator heat-loads lead to reduced liquid line mass and increased evaporator mass could be due to airflow problems. Eliminate low evaporator heat-loads before looking into adjusting the refrigerant charge.
Gurgling and pulsation noises at the expansion device can be caused by low charge, and/or non-condensibles and moisture in the system. Unbalanced airflow through the various distributor circuits of the evaporator coil will cause the TEV to close down refrigerant flow starving the coil. Piston-flow-rators will make it impossible to properly charge the system and cooling will be greatly compromised unless you eliminate the cause!

On every Rheem condenser cover it lists "non-condensibles and or moisture" as causes for a gurgling or pulsating noise at the expansion device. The entire evaporator circuits, may not become active for various reasons, - "the entire coil must become fully active for efficient performance."

The purpose of these recommendations is to provide liquid refrigerant at the expansion device and provide efficient operation. Hopefully, this will aid your research. If I can be of additional assistance, contact me.
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Too many do not properly purge & evacuate contaminated central air conditioning systems.
The Triple Evacuation Method is normally done on central air conditioning systems:

First, remove any valve cores with a special valve core remover this will speed up the evacuation time. Back service valves two turns off their back seat.

1) Re-claim unit charge (Recover all the refrigerant)

2) Charge system to 150 PSIG with dry nitrogen and leak test

3) On contaminated systems replace the filter dryers. Then Repair all leak(s)

4) Evacuate system to 500 microns valve off & see if it holds 500 microns for ten minutes, if it holds, break the vacuum with dry nitrogen

5) Evacuate system to a deeper 300 microns, valve off vac pump, & again break the vacuum with dry nitrogen

6) Evacuate system to 300 microns and charge unit (Recharge with fresh clean refrigerant)

7) Check to see if the Supply and Return air ducts were correctly sized & sealed by the original installer.

Many HVAC contractors will consider this excessive time & effort for contaminated residential air conditioning systems, however it is a must for low temp applications.

The “micron” is a metric unit of measure for distance. The micron is a unit of linear measure; one micron equals 1/25,400ths of an inch. Modern high capacity vacuum pumps help speed up the evacuation process.
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DISCLAIMER:
I assume NO responsibility for the USE of any information I post on any of my Web pages,in E-Mails or News Groups.
All HVAC/R work should always be done by a licensed Contractor & properly licensed Techs! This information is only placed on these pages primarily for your understanding & communication with contractors & techs. This information is also for the edification of Contractors and Techs. Never attempt anything that you are NOT competent to do in a SAFE manner! I am NOT liable for your screw-ups, you are liable for what you do! - Darrell Udelhoven

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*
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