Air Conditioning - Conflicting A/C Inspections

Hi folks,
I'm in the process of selling my house. I had an HVAC company around a few weeks ago to service the system. They looked over everything, freon ok, no leaks, cooling correctly, recommended a new filter (which we'd already ordered), and installation of a condensate pump as we have no secondary drain line. This was all great as I already knew we needed the secondary installed.

Fast forward to last week, and our buyer had a different HVAC company come around to do an inspection. These folks reported that the schrader valve had a leak and as a result freon was low. They recommended replacing the valve, adding freon, and installing a float switch on the secondary line instead of a pump. Total cost: $425.

So it seems there are two ways to go:
(1) Assume the 2nd tech is right and the 1st tech made a mistake or actually caused the leak.
(2) Assume the 2nd tech is trying it on (a float switch is $25 max, and a valve stem is what? 99c???) and have the first guy back to install the float switch.

I don't know how much "ADDING FREON" should reasonably be. This is L.A. and it is summer. Last year a guy tried charging me $500 to replace a blown cap, so I am somewhat jaded.

Please advise oh wise forum pros.

Thx.

Why does he need to add refrigerant?
Is the a/c not cooling?

You can do a quick check of the system by measuring the return and supply air temperature.
You should have at least a 15 degree temp difference.

Also, what does the large line going into the outdoor unit feel like.
It should be cold and possibly have condensation running off of it.

How far along is this deal?
Is the buyer going have a carpenter come in next and say the house wasn't built properly???

I would talk to your lawyer or agent on this.

Why does he need to add refrigerant?
Is the a/c not cooling?

I don't know why, this is why I'm leary of him. The unit is cooling fine. My 1st tech measured 24 degree diff, and I personally measure an inbound of 73F and outbound of 59 at the duct closest to the blower (this was admittedly unscientific: I used an electronic cooking thermometer/probe) .

How far along is this deal?
Is the buyer going have a carpenter come in next and say the house wasn't built properly??? I would talk to your lawyer or agent on this.

I'm not worried about the sale, $425 won't kill it, but I'd rather not get taken. Don't get me started on the stupid chimney inspection.

Tech 1 found good pressure and no leak. Tech 2 found a leak two weeks later. How much freon could possibly have left the system even if the 1st tech didn't screw the caps back on and the valve is slow leaking? Seems like no more than a couple of pounds, right?

If the unit is cooling and you are getting the temp diff you say then I can only speculate that the 2nd tech is related to the buyer.

It could be cheaper to call the first tech back and pay him to check your system and give it a written clean bill of health.
Then give the new buyer the receipt and let him deal with tech 1 if there is a problem.