Can we talk about compressor burnout cleanups

I got a call last Tuesday for a fridge that wasn't cooling. Opened the back panel and found black sludge in the lines, classic burnout. I flushed the system with RX-11 three times and changed the drier twice, but the customer asked if I could just swap the compressor and go. I told them skipping the cleanup usually kills the new compressor within 6 months. Has anyone here ever tried a shortcut on a burnout and actually had it hold up?

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angela_kelly2mo ago

Wait, has nobody mentioned checking the expansion valve? That's usually where the carbon chunks get stuck after a burnout. I flush all day long but if the valve's got debris baked in, the new compressor's gonna starve for refrigerant and die anyway. Pulled a TXV apart last month and found little black flakes inside the screen. Replaced it along with the drier and liquid line, no issues since. Skip that valve inspection and you're basically flushing money down the drain.

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jenny_carr522mo ago

Pulled a TXV apart myself last week found carbon chunks jammed in the screen.

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