The Holy Grail has sprung a leak

[tomoldcars]

A few weeks ago:
Post# 693871 , Reply# 44 8/2/2013 at 22:21 (420 days old) by Tomoldcars (Montclair, Ca 91763 USA)
I replied to a thread that had an excellent picture of the Chrysler Airtemp Imperial That was built into the wall of my house. I commented on its recalcitrant starting. Four hundred and eighteen days later (It’s been in the 90 / 100’s here for several weeks) I turned it on, heard the compressor start, and walked outside. When I got to the back of the house I observed it emitting a large cloud of smoke. That seemed unusual so I went back and unplugged it. Next, I endured 2 ½ hours extracting it from the wall. Heavy is understated, I think it contains half of the Chrysler. I have not diagnosed it yet, however, after a couple of hours, the compressor was still warm and the fan motor was cold. As much as it pains me, I am going to dispose of it. Before I load it on my truck and try to break the sales at the scrap metal yard, I am offering all or part of it to anyone who wants it. The plastic front is cracked but repairable, knobs are there and I suspect most of the other parts are working as it was cooling as it smoked. I would like to see at least some of it survive. The parts you can have; just help with shipping. I have not had chance to take pictures, I’ll try to have some this weekend if there is interest.

Tom

 

[sambootoo]

I hate to hear of the problems with your classic AC. I feel your pain and know the frustration and feeling of loss when a faithful old workhorse finally dies. Maybe there's a simple repair....maybe?? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Sam

 

[tomoldcars]

Thanks for the reply;

Unfortunately, the amount of smoke, along with unmistakable odor of burning motor indicated a fatal condition. Extracting it from the wall it was plastered into about 40 years ago took about 2 hours. The fan motor was cool but the compressor was still warm. I’m not sure that all that smoke and smell got through the sealed compressor, still might be the fan motor. Coincidentally, about a month ago, I went past a yard sale that happened to have an 18K BTU GE AEL18DP for $25.00. Is it possible the Airtemp burned up in a fit of jealously? Thursday was dedicated to convincing the wall to accept the new GE and it is now blowing happily away. I’m sure it will not be doing so in 2054. The Airtemp is now in the front yard waiting for pictures which I will post as soon as I can. I will donate any parts that anyone here needs. The plastic cover is missing one lower vain but is useable with slight repair. The switches are all working and the trim is fair. There are two mounting frames, one for the rough opening and one to support the unit. The evaporator and condenser are both good.
I hope the pieces can be used. I’d like it to live again, Tom

 

[cfz2882]

fan motor

sure sounds like a bad fan motor-a shorted winding in the fan motor can produce a lot of smoke without the outside of the motor getting all that hot.

 

[dustin92]

But it should be a sealed motor, right? I know our newer units all have sealed motors. I'm thinking some wiring or a capacitor decided to burn up.

 

[cfz2882]

vintage often open

some older ones are quite open-on my 3 small westys-'73,84,87 vintage,the motor windings are very visable through the side grilles.And the original motor on my '69 WP was an "inside out"external rotor Delco-whole backside and windings of that motor was exposed,this one sufferd a shorted winding and smoked-replaced with an emerson motor of standard design.

 

[tomoldcars]

Finely Photos

They’re worth a thousand words. I’ll send any part to anyone who needs it. I’ll even cover shipping on small stuff. But hurry, wife says its leaving for the scrap yard.