Tecumseh Compressor Parts FAQ: 36905 Air Filter, Fan Motors, and Rush Replacements

I coordinate emergency parts for a refrigeration supply operation. In nine years, I've handled more than 200 rush requests for Tecumseh compressors, condensing units, fan motors, and air filters, including same-day turnarounds for food-processing plants. Last quarter alone, we processed 47 rush orders and hit 95% on-time. The other 5% is why I still double-check part numbers.

Here's what I'd tell a service tech standing in front of a dead unit.

Is Tecumseh Compressor Company still making compressors?

Yes, the Tecumseh compressor line is still alive and supported. If you're looking at a condensing unit or a walk-in cooler with a Tecumseh Compressor Company tag, you can still find replacement compressors, condensing units, and parts like the 36905 air filter through Tecumseh distributors. The ownership structure has changed over the years, but the installed base is enormous and the parts pipeline is still open.

That matters for anyone with an old unit. The model on the tag isn't a museum piece—it's a spec sheet.

What is the Tecumseh 36905 air filter and why does it matter?

The 36905 is a genuine Tecumseh air filter used on many Tecumseh compressor and condensing unit models. It's a low-cost mesh filter that keeps dirt out of the airflow path around the compressor.

Here's the practical version: a clogged 36905 makes the compressor run hot. Run hot too long, and you'll replace a compressor that didn't need to die. The filter is cheap. The compressor isn't.

The surprise wasn't that cheap parts failed. It was how often a 'dead compressor' was actually a $14 filter that had turned into a dirt pancake.

So before you order a compressor, check the filter. In my experience, a big chunk of 'compressor failure' calls trace back to airflow starvation. The fix is a $20 filter kit and thirty minutes, not a $1,200 compressor job.

Why does my Tecumseh compressor keep dying before it should?

It's tempting to think a failing compressor is always a defective compressor. Sometimes it is. But most early Tecumseh failures I've seen come from one of three places:

• Dirty filters or condenser coils causing high head pressure.
• Incorrect refrigerant charge from a previous repair.
• Start components that hammer the compressor on and off in short cycles.

Start with the simple stuff. Check airflow. Check the charge. Check the contactor. Then look at the compressor tag. The model, serial, and refrigerant type are the three things that save everyone's afternoon. Model, serial, refrigerant. In that order.

Can I use a Tecumseh compressor in a Frigidaire ice maker?

Maybe. Some Frigidaire ice makers use small hermetic compressors with a Tecumseh model tag. If yours does, you can absolutely cross-reference it to a Tecumseh replacement. But you don't shop for it as 'a Frigidaire ice maker compressor.' You need the actual compressor model and refrigerant.

Here's the thing: ice makers run for years in a hot, dusty kitchen. A compressor that's 'close enough' on BTU can fail early because the electrical components, oil type, and start torque don't match. If the tag says Tecumseh, use a Tecumseh cross-reference. If the tag is gone, you'll need an OEM parts breakdown from the ice maker manufacturer.

And please don't buy a no-name 'universal' compressor just because it's half the price. Ice maker compressors are not a place to gamble on specs. The first failed replacement already costs more than the difference.

Where do I buy an AC condenser fan motor, and can I use a universal motor?

You can use a universal condenser fan motor if you match the critical specs. Don't match just one or two. You need the horsepower or amp draw, RPM, voltage, capacitor rating, rotation direction, and shaft length. Miss one and you'll be back at the unit in a month.

Where to buy? Start at an HVAC supply house that can look up the OEM part number from your unit's model. Grainger and Ferguson carry common motors, and online retailers work if you know exactly what you need. Bring the old motor's data plate, and don't rely on a photo from your phone.

Real talk: the $35 motor that's 'good enough' can become a $200 service call when it runs backwards or overheats. The right motor is the cheap one in total cost, even if the sticker price is higher.

Do refrigerated air dryers need a special Tecumseh compressor?

Refrigerated air dryers are different from window AC units even when both use a refrigerant circuit. A refrigerated air dryer pulls moisture out of compressed air. The compressor has to handle a specific refrigerant, pressure range, and duty cycle. It's not enough to bolt in the first Tecumseh compressor that fits.

I've seen the mistake made more than once. The replacement compressor is physically identical, but the oil is wrong or the capillary tube is sized for a different refrigerant. It runs for a week, then trips. Now you're into double labor and a rental dryer.

In March 2024, a food-processing plant called on a Tuesday with a failed refrigerated air dryer. Their alternative was five days of lost line time. We cross-referenced the Tecumseh model, found the right compressor at a distributor in Ohio, paid expedited freight, and had it running Wednesday night. The freight charge wasn't fun. The production line kept running.

That's why I keep saying value over price. The cheapest compressor isn't the most expensive one—until the second service visit.

What's the fastest way to get the right Tecumseh part?

First, write down the model tag or take a clean photo. If there's a Tecumseh part number on the tag, use it. The 36905 filter is a good example; it's shared across many models, so the part number tells us more than the unit model.

Second, call a Tecumseh distributor, not just a general parts marketplace. They have access to the official Tecumseh parts lookup. Give them the model and serial, and they'll pull the exact filter, compressor, fan motor, or condensing unit. If you need it faster, ask about next-day freight. It costs money, but downtime costs more.

Our policy changed in 2023 after a rush order went sideways because we didn't verify the oil type. Now nothing ships until we've confirmed model, serial, and refrigerant. That's the boring part. It's also why the parts I send work the first time.