Air Conditioning - Rip-off or Facts of Life???

Hi... I need your help to understand HOW this can be...

I have a 5 ton Goodman split system that is 2yrs old and the coil in the Air-handler was replaced at 4 months and now is leaking AGAIN !!!:(

How can this be? Is it possible that something else is causing the leak in the Air-handler? The orignal coil lasted 4 months, the second has lasted 20 months and I just had 3lbs of r22 added (thirty per lb - is that fair in FL) The 3lbs were added on the 4th and on the 15th were are froozen solid again...:wall:

Just for kicks, what does the dryer do? It too was replaced with the new system. [New compressor w/Heat Pump, heat strip , air hander, copper tubes (high & low) and new touch pad and wiring - 100% new 2 years ago...]

Help save my sanity, please!!!!
Thank you

okay...I just open the air handler to see if I could spot an oil or be lucky enough to see a crack, break ect.... The coil looks silver and healthy, but the end tube are lightly rusted where the ice has gathered... I didnt see any sign or aftermath from the leak... I can assume I dropped 3lbs in about 10 days...

Your thoughts?

a leak is the main cause of the coil to ice up but also lack of airflow also. did you use the same tech each time it failed. i would try another tech or 2 and get EST before having work performed.

May or may not be the new coil, but there is a leak somewhere.

I'd call back who ever replaced the coil and have them fix it.

$30 per pound is less than I've heard else where.

Drier, removes trash and moisture from system. Even if you are as carfull as possable, vacuum system down to 300 microns, manufacturer says add a drier, you add a drier.

May or may not be the new coil, but there is a leak somewhere.

I'd call back who ever replaced the coil and have them fix it.

$30 per pound is less than I've heard else where.

Drier, removes trash and moisture from system. Even if you are as carfull as possable, vacuum system down to 300 microns, manufacturer says add a drier, you add a drier.

Well.... the company that installed the last a-coil charged me TWICE for 15lbs of r22, so I didnt call them back when 20 months later when the system freeze again... I took pictures, but I guess I don't have the ability to post pics here on this forum.

So when the NEW GUYS only billed me for 3lbs on the 4th and now we are down again on the 15th - I feel like the 1st company did me wrong... Almost like they pumped my system down and then charged me for a complete refill...:confused:

The service call with 3lbs and leak check was $169 then they offered to replaced the A-coil for a total of $700 (inclusive of $169).... I thought - well.... the last charge lasted 20 months... I will chance it. Wonder what this will say in the AM:wall:

15 pounds?

Wonder what the starting charge is on the outdoor unit data plate?

15 pounds?

Wonder what the starting charge is on the outdoor unit data plate?

The factory plate on the outside unit says:
Factory Charge R22: 262
Factory Test Low: 150
Factory test High: 300

It does not say any more, these couldn't be pounds???

Also, where can I buy an over the counter gas sniffer? I went with the tech outside to sniff the outdoor unit. He also removed the fan guard and 'sniffed' inside the oudoor unit and nothing... He then went into the attic (cramped space) alone and said its the A-coil. Just for fun... I'd like to check too:blah: I have tried all the auto store (odd that Auto-Zone sells R22 15oz for $12) and the box depot stores and nothing....

a leak is the main cause of the coil to ice up but also lack of airflow also. did you use the same tech each time it failed. i would try another tech or 2 and get EST before having work performed.

No, this time we are on new techs and new company...
Last company sent total of 6 techs and 6 different stories and finally the head-guy came to service me after the battery of visits that were adding up to not much other than me paying for AC conversation... Head guy determined the A-coil was shot at 4 months... Now 20 months later NEW HVAC company says its the A-coil...

Sounds like formicary corrosion. Do a Google search.

Sounds like formicary corrosion. Do a Google search.

Good call... the AC guy I spoke with this AM felt like that may be it... Asked if I had well water and stated that solphoer(sp) can cause such a problem. I dont have well water...
The trouble is HOW do I get RID of such a nasty 'ant-nest'...? Seems like what ever they pump down, the put right back in... I guy is on his way out now... I WISH I KNEW HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN MY SYSTEM:wall: GGrrrrrrRR!!!

262 ounces = 16.375 pounds, 16 # 6 oz.

Basics of formicary corrosion can be read here:

http://jarredsdad.embarqspace.com/#/welcome/4529420987