What could cause valve damage in a newly installed open drive compressor located 60 feet below the condenser?

Operating at too low an ambient temperature can lead to valve damage in a newly installed open drive compressor located 60 feet below the condenser due to several factors. When a compressor operates in an environment that is significantly colder than designed, it may experience issues such as inadequate lubrication, oil thickening, and improper refrigerant flow. These conditions can result in higher wear and tear or incomplete cycling of the compressor's valves, leading to potential damage.

Additionally, at lower ambient temperatures, compressors may struggle with efficient vaporization of refrigerant, which can lead to liquid refrigerant returning to the compressor. This may cause liquid slugging, where refrigerant in liquid form enters the cylinders instead of vapor, placing excessive stress on the valves and potentially causing them to fail or become damaged.

In contrast, while factors like oversized compressors, lack of discharge oil traps, or poor manufacturing quality can impact overall performance, the specific issue of operating conditions at low ambient temperatures directly influences the mechanical integrity of compressor valves and their operational reliability.