8 Year Old Goodman AC/Heat Pump

[awsimons]

My AC stopped cooling maybe a week ago, around the time it's gotten a little cooler here in San Antonio (80s for highs instead of 100s). I had a guy come out to check out the system. He hooked up his gauges near the compressor outside and looked in the air handler inside.

He said we were low on freon and therefore had a leak. The evaporator coil copper tubes look orange from corrosion and there's some orange gunk in the drip pan. He said it had "rusted out" and we need a new system to the tune of $####! His diagnosis took no more than 15 minutes.

I wasn't there, but my wife was. I had her ask if a recharge would fix it. He said "You'll just be back in this position in 2 days. It's your money, but it's not worth doing. System is gone."

So I had her pay his fee and ask him to leave. There has to be a little more a tech can do to keep a system working than this, right? We bought this house in May 2009 and we've never had to recharge the system, so this could be a slow leak, right? I am planning to get another contractor out, but does this sound like a reasonable visit from an HVAC tech? Can't components of the system be checked and fixed rather than buying a whole new system? Thanks!

Alan

[Ritt98]

You should have another company come and look at it. In most cases the leak can be located and possibly repaired. An 8 year old unit "shouldnt" have to be replaced. Have someone else check it, if they come up with the same diagnosis, have them try to locate the leak, see if it is repairable, and recharge the unit.

Oh, and get ready to get scolded. No pricing allowed in the forums!

[tigerdunes]

Alan

You do need another tech to look at your problem.

Post back and let us know the results.

Yes, most HVAC issues are repairable but not necessarily cost effective based on age of system and cost of repair.

Anything mechanical is prone to break down in it's useful life and eventually has to be replaced.

And depending on mdl of your air handler and outside condenser, anything is possible with Goodman that still has a reputation with many homeowners and HVAC experts of being more about price than quality. I may get scolded for saying that but it is a fact.

I don't like the idea of 15 minutes for a diagnosis.

Again sorry for your problem and please come back to forum and let us know about the second opinion.

IMO

[awsimons]

Thanks guys for your replies. Sorry about the price thing. I'll let you know when I get another opinion.
Alan

[wahoo]

I'd get on Goodman's web site, find an authorized dealer and have them give you an opinion. I'd agree with most that sounds like you didn't get much from the first guy. I'm assuming he found the freon leak in the indoor air coil? Not uncommon for any brand, but if small should not be reason for a complete new system. IMO anyway!

[Gross]

your goodman coil, if only 8 years old, is covered under a parts warranty and is replaceable

[Gross]

I'd get on Goodman's web site, find an authorized dealer and have them give you an opinion. I'd agree with most that sounds like you didn't get much from the first guy. I'm assuming he found the freon leak in the indoor air coil? Not uncommon for any brand, but if small should not be reason for a complete new system. IMO anyway!

very common for goodman copper coils...thats why they switched to aluminum...much improved reliability

[awsimons]

So I had another guy come out this afternoon, a Goodman authorized contractor. He had some kind of freon detecting wand that my wife said was beeping like crazy when he was messing around the evaporator. He said the leak was so bad, he didn't feel comfortable recharging the system. He also said that in heater mode, a leak in the evaporator would release freon much quicker than in ac mode due to higher pressures in the evaporator. Does that sound right?

He quoted me to swap out the evaporator or put in a new Goodman system. He said the new system would be warranted whereas the new evaporator would have no warranty. While my wife didn't have a big problem with the tech from yesterday, she said today's contractor seemed more knowledgeable and friendly.

He's pretty sure my unit only had a 5 year warranty, but says some have 10 yr warranties, so he was going to check later.

I think I'm going to get one more company out and see what they say. What would you do?

Alan

[smittyii]

So I had another guy come out this afternoon, a Goodman authorized contractor. He had some kind of freon detecting wand that my wife said was beeping like crazy when he was messing around the evaporator. He said the leak was so bad, he didn't feel comfortable recharging the system. He also said that in heater mode, a leak in the evaporator would release freon much quicker than in ac mode due to higher pressures in the evaporator. Does that sound right?

He quoted me to swap out the evaporator or put in a new Goodman system. He said the new system would be warranted whereas the new evaporator would have no warranty. While my wife didn't have a big problem with the tech from yesterday, she said today's contractor seemed more knowledgeable and friendly.

He's pretty sure my unit only had a 5 year warranty, but says some have 10 yr warranties, so he was going to check later.

I think I'm going to get one more company out and see what they say. What would you do?

Alan

he is right about the higher pressures in heat mode. you can go to the htalk contractor map, i think sarge is in S.A. i am in san marcos. it sounds as if you just need a new evap, times are hard in this economy and some less scrupulous contractors are just trying to sell systems whether you need one or not. good luck.

[jpsmith1cm]

Sounds like the second guy is one you want to keep.

[catmanacman]

one thing to consider is the efficiency of the system if it is a 10 seer might want to replace it if it is a 12 seer or higher I would put a coil in it

[wahoo]

I agree with Cat, if it's a 12 SEER or above, just change the coil!!! (Unless under warranty, in which case Goodman should give you a coil).

[Willserve]

I don't thnk Goodman started the 10 wty till around 2005. If the outside unit is still in good shape I would go with the coil change. Odd that he said no wty with coil change. We do 1 year parts and labor. I thought most did that with coil changes. With a leak that bad make sure he replaces or installs filter drier.