Thoughts on this gouge that came on my new GE air conditioner?
I am about to assemble the top bar and screws, and as I opened the box, saw this gouge on the back of the unit. My mom thinks I could possibly still use it like this, and I really don't know. Should I plug in the unit on the floor to see that it works and overlook this, or is it something that will affect the unit operating abilities?
It's just the cooling fins, get a set of cooling fin straitener brushes. No need to plug it in on the floor, you'll create a puddle of condensate. If the unit has not been laying upright like it would be installed, don't turn it on for 24 hours so the coolant can all get back into the compressor
@Baybreeze It you bought it new, I would absolutely return it. The fins are going to get busted up enough just from normal use. No need to start out that way.
minor nicks & scratches on cooling fins is no big deal (It'll happen eventually putting them in and taking them out over time); it's only a problem when a good portion of them get bent/flattened and the unit can't dissipate heat (like kids taking screwdrivers to them...)
@Baybreeze If it was going to leak it should leak immediately. If you are concerned it might leak later then return it. You were sent a damaged product, return it.
It ill work fine but that does add up to a point of being inefficient. You can fix the ridges with a toothbrush . Just gently brush the ridges back into alignment
@MethDozer Thanks! I checked Google and it said as long as the gouge didn't hit a coil or puncture anything tubing, so refrigerant leaks, then it's ok. But it is pretty deep at top so I don't know if it puncture anything. I guess on safe side return it? I believe they can pick it up
