A strong odor during refrigerant recovery indicates what?

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A strong odor during refrigerant recovery is a sign of compressor burnout. When the compressor overheats or the lubrication fails, the oil can burn, producing a distinct, harsh smell that indicates internal damage to the compressor. This isn’t typically caused by a leak, purity of the refrigerant, or the recovery unit being the wrong size, so that odor specifically points to the compressor having likely failed and needing inspection or replacement.