A broken reed valve in a compressor typically results in what symptom?

A broken reed valve in a compressor disrupts the normal operation of the refrigeration cycle. When the reed valve fails, it can cause symptoms such as high suction pressure coupled with low discharge pressure.

This occurs because the reed valve is responsible for allowing refrigerant vapor to enter the cylinder on the suction stroke, while preventing it from escaping back out during the compression stroke. If the valve is broken, it won't close properly during compression, leading to refrigerant not being compressed adequately. As a result, this allows refrigerant vapor to build up in the suction side, causing high suction pressure, while not generating sufficient pressure on the discharge side, hence resulting in low discharge pressure.

Understanding the relationship between the conditions inside the compressor and the state of the reed valve can help technicians diagnose issues more efficiently, ensuring reliable operation and performance of the HVAC system.