Water leaking only when AC is on?

[AnimalControl]

Hello DIYnot,

I live in an apartment with one of those AC/Heater unit. There was a fermented fruit odour and I narrow it down to a leaking pipe.

Here is the picture, the first one shows where the water is leaking (its rusty and green) and the second picture is where I place a foam mat to see if the leak was causing the smell.

So it seem like the water is hitting the "wire with clamps" and giving off a smell.

Check List of what I already did:
Drip pan is good
Drain line is not clog
New Filter
Cleaned the fan coils

Any ideas?

 

[picasso]

Leaking through the valve spindle ? cant really tell with the angle of the photos.

 

[AnimalControl]

It's the middle piece, the "flood stopper" by HoneyWell. When the lever is down, it blocks off one flow while letting the other through (Cold AC, Heat) so I'm thinking maybe that is the problem?

It must need to be tighten or maybe a replacement of the O-ring, but that is no easy task.

What are those two wires clamp on the pipe?

 

[picasso]

I think the clamps are some kind of heat/cool sensors, you might be better replacing the whole valve than trying to replace repair it.

 

[AnimalControl]

How would I drain the system if I want to replace the cartridge? There are two ball valves, do I shut off both and go about replacing the cartridge?

Some possible causes: If the tap water is boiling hot, can it damage the cartridge, leading to a leak? I notice my tap water can get extremely hot if I leave it on hot, I never thought it was a problem as I just quickly switch to cold before it steams.

The two aquastats are rusted, which I think might be causing the excessive heat, it's a blazing hot air that comes out of my vents. But as a Canadian, I welcome this, so I never complain until now.