This was a service call on a Hoshizaki ice machine with low ice production, the customer informed me that multiple people have worked on this machine and could not figure out what was going on. It really was a simple issue that had been overlooked.
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Okay, so today we have service, call and some Hoshizaki ice machines that aren't working correctly. This is my new customer. She said: they've had a lot of problems. People been out here have spent tons of money trying to figure out what's going on when you hear things like that, sometimes you just got to think maybe it's time to step back, think for a minute and look at the simple things.

So when I got here, this machine was making ice, I went ahead and put it into a harvest, got rid of all the ice off the evaporator okay. The first thing I do is I'm gon na. Do any vibrator check if you don't know how to check an evaporator, and you grab the tubes right here this tube right here and you pull you see if it gets loose? Okay, you guys see me moving that that one's loose that one's not bad, it's not moving. Okay, so what's happened is these have come unwelded from the sheet and if you go down here and look Oh, that shouldn't be like that shouldn't move so and if you follow this right here, this one move this one is: then you really loose loose loose.

I shouldn't be happening, see I'm pushing on this one: it's not budging, so this one's still welded, but regardless this evaporator is trashed next thing, I'm doing I'm giving a big picture. The compressor see that rust right there it's about to start leaking and if I scratch out a hard enough, it'll probably start leaking the refrigerant out. We're not going to do that right now, because they need a machine. Someone also in the back.

The receivers also rusted out really bad. I told you guys in a previous video, that's caused by poor insulation. The insulation is saturated with water and through the normal cycle, all those drops they hit. The compressor hit the receiver and rust it out same thing with the bottom of the machine.

Okay, so let's step over this other one same thing, not as bad but compressors been replaced a couple years ago, but the receiver had also rotted out really bad someone's installed. The wrong hot gas valve means a cube guide, so they get. Some big quotes here. Okay, so this was a service call on a hoshizaki ice machine and kind of, like I stated in the video, this is a new customer to me and the right when I walked in the door.

The customer immediately gave me a history on this machine and had told me that they had to have countless people come out here and work on this machine that couldn't figure out what was going on. When you hear that kind of stuff I mean anytime, you work on these things. It's always best to kind of step back and try to start over and think simple, and the first thing that I checked was. I did an evaporator test and I found that the refrigerant lines had come on welded to the evaporator sheet.

Okay, so basically the ice machine had no way of making. I swear those refrigerant lines hit that sheet. Okay, normally, what happens is ice starts to form right where that line is braised to that sheet or welded whatever you want to call it so because of that they have very low production. So there's only a few ice cubes that are actually forming on that evaporator.
With that being said, I looked at the other things that I could quickly find and found. You know really bad rust and a few spots. I found that exact evaporator separation to be happening to both machines, so I gave the customer some quotes and basically they can decide where to go from there. Okay, as usual, I just want to say thank you for watching my videos, please consider subscribing to my channel.

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46 thoughts on “Hoshizaki ice machine with low ice production”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ross Kious says:

    Three thing you always check on the Hoshizaki Ice machines. 1. The flush valve being stuck open by guide parts or mineral deposits 2. Plate separation 3. Needing cleaning. . You look at these 3 first before going super tech. ( of coarse the line size of the machine if you have never worked on it before should be looked at) installers are to blame for some of the plate separation issues. Installing undersized water lines and it freezing up over and over not good on any thing . Thing that freeze up get damaged. Just remember the TXV,S that have flare nuts on them In freezers.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JDT738126 says:

    So are you going to recommend replacing them? What were the quotes for?

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jesus Galvan says:

    Good video, Hey can you tell me where can I get a service manual for a 2100 model Hoshizaki ice maker.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Quentin Hanna says:

    Another great video……Thank you

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Guardian Mn says:

    Very educational vedieo indeed Service area Kanata??

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nicholas Garziano says:

    The last time I diagnosed a Hoshizaki with plate separation like that, I called their tech line and asked how they bonded the stainless to the copper tubing. Lol, the guy told me he didn’t know and that it was a trade secret He said that the area of the factory in which it was done has highly restricted access.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nicholas Garziano says:

    Did they approve the quotes?

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nicholas Garziano says:

    Just curious….would you clean a hoshizaki condenser coil with water without emptying the bin?

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ljmike1204 says:

    why did they not water proof the compressoe side oh wait (chinesium name) made in china i bet 😛 nice vid cool to see how those ice machines work

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Stillman says:

    Chris Much appreciated your videos are the best I've seen keep it up .

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Costello says:

    Great video. Thanks Are you in Ottawa ?

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars toolman says:

    Love a Hoshi machine

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars OcRefrigeration , Hvac & Electrical Video's. says:

    Wow, ive been to Hoshizaki school Several times in 37 Years doing this & They Have Never Mentioned to Look out for the Broken Welds or Evaporator Flapping in the Wind. Thanks For Making this Vid. Good info. Time for a couple New Machines Here.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars DaCrunkwizard says:

    Gonna check them coils everytime now

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Anthony Reardon hvacr says:

    Also cheap customers start off by telling you. " yeah i spent so much money, no one can figure out the problem. blah,blah,blah" They have been calling out non educated techs out. Are they jumping on board with replacing the whole machine? I hope you get the sale. But maybe they opt to repair it. Then that proves why they keep having issues. They don't want to replace the equipment. Anyways great video content. Keep up the great work.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars KungFuMaintenance says:

    N~ice tips!! ~ Great vid!

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars brad mironik says:

    Don't know how old these units are but sounds as if they need an upgrade. Probably to much $ to get them in proper working order.

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Edge customs says:

    Nice catch, had a machine years ago kicking my ass for a week with call backs for no production but to me seemed to be running perfect. After swallowing my 21yr old arrogance I Told my dad what was going on with it and he immediately told me to check that the plate isn’t separated. Took him 3 mins of listening to the symptoms 2nd hand lol. Service area Orleans??

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JD Smith says:

    I had never considered that evap separation before. Great tip thanks. Do you think that would be caused by iced up evap in the past? Or is that just something that happens over time? Are you in Kanata ?

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brad B says:

    I wouldn't have know to check that… thanks for the lesson!

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars berty stapleton says:

    Yea chris tanks for the vids every time i watch i learn somthing keep up the good works am from canada Are you in Nepean ?

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ace B says:

    Thanks for the info man I’ll check the evaporator next time I come across on of these ice machines great tip

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars CSC Refrigeration and Hvac says:

    Very cool vid Chris ! I learned something today 👍

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roy Keyes says:

    Thank you Chris. This helps a lot as I work on Hoahizaki ice machines. All of your videos are always detailed and explained in great detail. Looking forward to the next one.

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars drcolster says:

    Hey Chris, those machines looked 15 years old… what is there official age..??? Service area Barrhaven??

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars texture6 says:

    Is it a water cooled condenser or fan cooled condenser. It also looks like that small area has poor air circulation and ventilation. Must have a minimum of 5 inches clearance around all sides and top of machine.

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars AZhvacr says:

    If they are smart. Have you install a new one and have you maintain it. Nice video brotha 👍🏼🤙🏼✌

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Harry Dickson says:

    Great video 👍👍👍

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Maui Kawi says:

    I told a customer their equipment was trash they got pissed and sent me on my way

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Whites heating & air & appliance repair says:

    Nice video thank you

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jimmy J says:

    thanks for all the videos buddy you’re a super tech, I’m actually learning a lot about refrigeration from these vids and others here on utube. Starting a refrigeration job next week coming from 2 years of commercial hvac service. any specific tips you can give me?

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! JMG Refrigeration says:

    I run into that stuff all the time , spend a Tonna money and the units junk lol.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gene_K Hvacr says:

    awesome catch i got to push on that elbows bit to double check them evap coils gotta to remember that Thanks ! for sharing 👈👍👍👍😎

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dave says:

    Common problem on older Hoshi’s

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Randy Lazz says:

    Very thorough nice work……..

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bear Downs says:

    Thank you, I did not know about checking coil like that! 👌🏽 Bid high brother! It really would be best to just replace at this point.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars nota newbie says:

    Time for a new machine. Evap, comp, and accul, too much money to put into an old machine. What else is ready to fail?

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Small Fry says:

    Holy Hell dude! Id condemn it. Needs full strip down cleaning, new compressor, drier, 2 new evaps, and two receivers. Awesome tip though with the u bends had no idea, i started training on ice machine this past october with my company, I'm always picking up something.

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dave O'Reilly says:

    We call those flappers up here, tough to quote on new machine as it looks like they are both remotes, could be a lot of 💰💰💰💰 Service area Ottawa??

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John McMaster says:

    Awesome man. Interesting.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rich jr says:

    Hey , love your videos, I just went though the same thing with a 900lb machine. One of the few flaws with hoshizaki

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars matt n says:

    I enjoy your service videos Keep up the great work you do

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sean Michael says:

    You're the man. Great observations.

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Greg M says:

    I have seen this separation a lot on my job! Are you in Orleans ?

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sal Ibrahim says:

    Love your videos. I got a quick question though did you quote him a new ice machine or do you quote new evaporator?

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Lee says:

    Hoshi are know for loose coils. Good to see others; due simple checks to find real issues.

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