A/C Evaporator Unit; Help Please!

[wjspm123]

I have a A/C system which suddenly stopped blowing cold air overnight. Technician I called checks around, says there's no freon in the system, leak somewhere. He opens up the evaporator box, sprays for leaks, and tells me there's a leak at the base of the A-coil. Bubbles appear where the arrow points at:

Technician quotes me $800-900 after parts/labor to replace the evaporator unit, even with the unit still under warranty. My questions are 1) Do I really need a new evaporator unit? and 2) Is the quote in range?

Thanks, wjspm

[Joseph Meehan]

[e-mail] wrote: ...

Why is it not covered under warranty, or do you mean one of those after purchase "extended warranties" that are really insurance policies intended to make big profit for those selling them?

[Meat Plow]

What does the warranty cover?

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Repairing evap coils on a sealed system is not as simple as a heating coil. The system has to be filled with an inert gas, (usually nitrogen) before brazing it, then the system has to be evacuated before some time to get the moisture out, etc.

If it is truly leaking there, it is probably a reasonable price. What does the warranty cover? Or is that just for the compressor?

[wjspm123]

[Edwin Pawlowski]

If the $800 is just for labor, that seems high. I'd call another tech to check it out.

[udarrell]

Zyp says: He can fix it! $800 's a bit stiff though. Even in California, but a good tech can pull it, pressure it, pinpoint it, braze it, re-install it, evacuate, and charge. What's the big deal? But if it's full of pin holes.... then a new coil is needed.

-- Zyp - Zephyr

IF he can pinpoint the leak, and its probably on a U bend brazed joint, he can fix it and it will be fine for a while. Unless Stormy is working on it. - ftwhd

Additionally to the above, Purge with dry nitrogen, braze flowing it, and install new filter dryers - udarrell

[udarrell]

Zyp says: He can fix it! $800 's a bit stiff though. Even in California, but a good tech can pull it, pressure it, pinpoint it, braze it, re-install it, evacuate, and charge. What's the big deal? But if it's full of pin holes.... then a new coil is needed.

-- Zyp - Zephyr

ftwhd says, If he can pinpoint the leak, and its probably on a U bend brazed joint, he can fix it and it will be fine for a while. - ftwhd

Additionally to the above, Purge with dry nitrogen, braze flowing it, and install new filter dryers - udarrell