What does high discharge line pressure combined with low liquid line pressure usually indicate?

High discharge line pressure combined with low liquid line pressure typically indicates that there is an oil logged condenser. In a refrigerant system, the discharge line carries refrigerant in its gas state from the compressor to the condenser, where it is cooled and converted into a liquid. When the condenser becomes oil logged, it means that excessive oil is present in the condenser, which hinders the refrigerant’s ability to exchange heat. This causes the discharge line pressure to increase due to restricted airflow and reduced heat transfer. Simultaneously, the low liquid line pressure occurs because the refrigerant is not adequately condensing, leading to insufficient refrigerant flow in the liquid line. This combination of pressures serves as a diagnostic clue for technicians to assess the health of the condenser and overall system function.