Do I need a new AC Unit?

[Ruby803]

Hi - I hope someone can help me...
I have a 11 year old ComfortMaker Model 036A2C1 AC
About a month ago it froze up. A company came and Cleaned the Unit and added refrigerant ($). Yesterday it froze up again. Same Tech came today and added more refrigerant - no leak check. He said if the outside coil was leaking it wouldn't hold refrigerant so the leak must be in the coil in the attic - where pin hole leaks can't be fixed. He says I need a new unit. If I replace the coil it would end up not matching the compressor outside which would lead to other problems.

Is that my only option? Does anyone know the life expectancy of this unit or if (with no past problems) that is my only option?

I appreciate any advice
Ruby

[Mr Bill]

Hi - I hope someone can help me...
I have a 11 year old ComfortMaker Model 036A2C1 AC
About a month ago it froze up. A company came and Cleaned the Unit and added refrigerant. Yesterday it froze up again. Same Tech came today and added more refrigerant - no leak check. He said if the outside coil was leaking it wouldn't hold refrigerant so the leak must be in the coil in the attic - where pin hole leaks can't be fixed. He says I need a new unit. If I replace the coil it would end up not matching the compressor outside which would lead to other problems.

Is that my only option? Does anyone know the life expectancy of this unit or if (with no past problems) that is my only option?

I appreciate any advice
Ruby


He says I need a new unit.
I appreciate any advice
Ruby

All this in red say's you might need a new tech.

He said if the outside coil was leaking it wouldn't hold refrigerant, yes if it had a 10 lb. leak per hour maybe. http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/mrbillpro/1.gif

These kind of folks are called blow and go's in this business.

[Lvis2]

The life expectancy on one of those units should be around 20 years, so I would suggest finding another tech.

[martyinlincoln]

Have them ,or someone else, pin point the leak location first. Coils can be replaced if needed at a much cheaper price then a whole system. Should be lots of life left in that condensing unit but there's no way to guarantee how long it's going to last.

[ThirdCoastAC]

The life expectancy on one of those units should be around 20 years, so I would suggest finding another tech.

That really depends on what part of the country he is in.

Agreed, the tech is a hack if he is condeming an entire system w/o doing a leak search. Anything over 3 lbs we do an automatic leak search unless the homeowner opts out of it.
Usually a slow leak is in the indoor coil, but I've seen leaking condenser coils go a couple months before the system froze up.

[hvacvegas]

The life expectancy on one of those units should be around 20 years, so I would suggest finding another tech.

Wow, wishfull thinking eh?

[Kevin O'Neill]

Wow, wishfull thinking eh?

It depends on where you are. Coastal areas, 11 years is good life. 100 miles inland, that unit as just middle aged.

[DavyB]

Hi - I hope someone can help me...
I have a 11 year old ComfortMaker Model 036A2C1 AC
About a month ago it froze up. A company came and Cleaned the Unit and added refrigerant ($). Yesterday it froze up again. Same Tech came today and added more refrigerant - no leak check. He said if the outside coil was leaking it wouldn't hold refrigerant so the leak must be in the coil in the attic - where pin hole leaks can't be fixed. He says I need a new unit. If I replace the coil it would end up not matching the compressor outside which would lead to other problems.

Is that my only option? Does anyone know the life expectancy of this unit or if (with no past problems) that is my only option?

I appreciate any advice
Ruby
You need new HVRAC TECH! (in Korean accent) he much to razy...

[FJRSTAR]

It does depend where the leaks are in the indoor coil, but pin hole leaks can be repaired in the evaporator coil.

I've repaired many in the last 30 yrs. He is being lazy and just wants to sell new equipment.

You really need someone to find the leaks and determine if they can be fixed assuredly and easily. You should have that option!

[ICanHas]

If it's losing enough refrigerant in a day to become dysfunctional, you might even be able to hear it hissing.

Go outside with a spray bottle of soapy water and start spraying the coil. If you find bubbles, then you know that's where the leak is. If you don't find it, repeat the same inside.

If the leak is caused by a harsh environment on your outside unit(condensing unit) you should probably just replace the condensing unit. If you fix that spot, its only a matter of time before you blow a hole elsewhere.

[TCreacy]

The life expectancy on one of those units should be around 20 years, so I would suggest finding another tech.

Come to south Texas 11 yrs is getting close to dead

[Ruby803]

Thanks to all of you who replied...
I am in NC north of Charlotte so not near the coast but we have had incredible heat this year which may be putting additional load on the unit?

I am going to have at least 2 other companies go in and look at the unit to give their opinion.

I am already burned this year when a large company came to my house (this unit now is in my rental) - I bought a historic house last summer and the upstairs unit was running (air handler) in Dec but no heat - when it was FREEZING here! This company came to my house and charged me for a diagnosis - said the unit was over 20 years old (which it is), totally rusted out and leaking CO2 into the attic and gave me an estimate to replace it (only the upstairs unit, I have another one downstairs) of 16,000. After getting another company here (who I LOVE and totally trust now) they discovered that no one had lit the Pilot Light on that unit when I bought the house and moved in - hence no heat. It was working 10 minutes after he walked in the door. Grrrrrrrrrr Unfortunately this company doesn't service the area where my rental is :(

Ruby