File In/With: N/A SI0225

Supersedes SI0225 (1219) REV 620

Equipment YT, YD, YKEP, YK, YST, and CYK
Affected: Chillers
Service
Information Shaft Seal Oil Utilization and Shaft Seal Replacement

GENERAL
The atmospheric shaft seal utilized on centrifugal high pressure compressors is a mechanical face seal that requires
lubrication. It is a “wet seal” that utilizes oil from the compressor lubrication circuit to create and maintain a fluid
film that also manages heat dissipation from the seal faces. This letter defines the maximum oil utilization rate and
oil utilization detection method.

UTILIZATION RATE
An oil utilization rate of 750 milliliters (equivalent to YORK / JCI supplied catch bottle) within a 14 day period is
considered the signal to schedule the replacement of the seal regardless of hours of operation. The chiller can be
kept in operation until a convenient time to schedule repairs.

DETECTION METHOD FOR OIL UTILIZATION RATE

The detection method used is the catch bottle filling within a 14 day period. The reason for this method is that within
the seal cartridge there is no direct path for refrigerant vapor to escape to the atmosphere. The seal internal compo-
nents are flooded with oil only, even during standby conditions. The software design activates the oil pump every
24 hours to maintain a flooded chamber. This flooded chamber maintains a barrier to the atmosphere as displayed
in Figure 1 on page 2.
Electronic refrigerant detectors may identify false-positive readings based on the out-gassing of
diminimis traces of refrigerant vapor dissolved within the oil.

Work on this equipment should only be done by properly trained personnel who are qualified to work on this
type of equipment. Failure to comply with this requirement could expose the worker, the equipment and the building
and its inhabitants to the risk of injury or property damage.
The instructions on this service information letter are written assuming the individual who will perform this work
is a fully trained HVAC & R journeyman or equivalent, certified in refrigerant handling and recovery techniques, and
knowledgeable with regard to electrical lock out/tag out procedures. The individual performing this work should be
aware of and comply with all Johnson Controls, national, state and local safety and environmental regulations while
carrying out this work. Before attempting to work on any equipment, the individual should be thoroughly familiar
with the equipment by reading and understanding the associated service literature applicable to the equipment. If
you do not have this literature, you may obtain it by contacting a Johnson Controls Service Office.
Should there be any question concerning any aspect of the tasks outlined in this bulletin, please consult a
Johnson Controls Service Office prior to attempting the work. Please be aware that this information may be time
sensitive and that Johnson Controls reserves the right to revise this information at any time. Be certain you are
working with the latest information.

Product Technical Support

 SI0225 (620)

YK Shaft Seal - Refrigerant

Refrigerant Emission
Emission
Flooded oil chamber creates a barrier
preventing direct path of refrigerant to
the atmosphere.

Refrigerant Oil Atmosphere

Figure 1 - CARTRIDGE SHAFT SEAL

Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot both the source and the cause of the leak as follows:
1. First, review operating data.
2. Identify the leak path:
a. Is an excessive amount of oil present inside the motor adapter or on the outside of the drain tube?
(IF YES) - The leak is coming from either the shaft sleeve “C-ring”/“O-ring” or the shaft seal flange-to-
housing “O-ring”. The seal cartridge may not require replacement. Order/replace the C-ring or O-ring.
(IF NO) - Proceed to (B)
b. Is the leak collecting in the YORK supplied 750 - milliliter bottle and with little to no oil collecting in the
motor adapter? (If unit does not have a motor adapter, is the coupling guard or face of the shaft seal cover
plate dirty?)
(IF YES) - Check the following:
• Verify that the oil cooler is functioning properly.
• Verify the operation of the A-mot valve or thermal expansion valve which controls operating
oil temperature.
• Verify operation of the chiller in accordance with design parameters. High head, light loads,
fouled condenser tubes, etc. will result in elevated discharge temperatures. This will contrib-
ute to high operating oil temperature and may impact the life of the shaft seal.
• Verify the oil supply to the compressor is within a range of 100° F to 120° F.
3. For all shaft seal failures it is advisable to have an oil and refrigerant sample from the time of the failure sent
for analysis for purity, moisture content, acid and metals content. This can be accomplished by using the ven-
dor for your specific service region. Once the sample results are received, it may be necessary to share the
results with PTS (Product Technical Support) to understand the impact and path forward.

If neither 2 or 3 identify the leak source, contact the YORK Service Product Technical Support Group.

2 JOHNSON CONTROLS
 SI0225 (620)

4. For all shaft seal failures regardless if they are inside or outside of the warranty period should be returned
to the Warranty Return Center for an analysis of the failure mode. The preferred method is to utilize the
RMA system so that each can be properly tracked through the analysis. To generate this RMA, contact
BE-WRC@jci.com for details on how to get support to return the seal. See note below.

Important, Do NOT disassemble the seal cartridge before returning it to JADEC.

SEAL REPLACEMENT
For all shaft seal failures that require replacement of the shaft seal reference, SI0015 Table 2 for YT Chiller and
SI0016 Table 2 for YK Chiller.

JOHNSON CONTROLS 3