What condition may be indicated by icing of an evaporator and excessive time needed to equalize high and low side system pressures?

Icing of the evaporator along with excessive time needed to equalize high and low side system pressures can indeed suggest a system blockage. When there is a blockage in the system, whether it is due to dirt, debris, or a malfunctioning component, the refrigerant flow is restricted. This can lead to the evaporator coil becoming too cold, resulting in moisture freezing on the coil and forming ice.

Additionally, the blockage causes a significant imbalance in system pressure. The high side pressure will not decrease as expected because the flow of refrigerant is impeded, while the low side pressure will not recover quickly due to limited return flow of the refrigerant. Such scenarios result in prolonged equalization times for the system pressures, as the normal cycling of the refrigerant is disrupted. Identifying a blockage is essential for effective troubleshooting and ensuring that the refrigeration system operates efficiently.