Air Conditioning - Is my compressor shot?

Started feeling warm this afternoon and suspected that the AC wasn't cooling as it should. Felt the vent and the air was not cool. The breakers weren't tripped, and the fan on the outside unit was blowing, but... the air from that fan felt cool. Isn't this air supposed to be warm?

Switched off the breakers and opened the side panel, the component circled is hot, almost too hot to touch. Is this the compressor?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2771837145_0021c75c48_m.jpg

When I switch on the breakers, there's no nosie or vibration from this component; it's fastened with rubber mounts so I suspect it should be vibrating quite a bit. I hear occasional clicking from the squarish black part in the middle (in the pic below). Is this a relay or breaker that regualtes the electricity to what I assume is the compressor? (I'll get to the circled area in part 2 of this thread. Am I right, is the compressor shot? Maybe it's not as bad as I think?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2772684684_7c71ba222e_m.jpg

Part 2

A month or two ago, the fan and/or capacitor died on me. Could not get a cap so I called an AC tech out. He said he replaced the cap and fan motor... charged me around $300. When I opened the unit today, I saw that neither of the capacitors were changed, but a small cap was inserted see circled in pic above. Here are closer shots:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2771837387_db0e1921fc_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2771837565_626e68b071_m.jpg

Was I scammed? It seems that the tech may not have done all that he represented to me. Is this a good reliable fix, or a quick fix that will turn out to be temporary?

I would like some feedback. I'm about to call that same tech to look at the unit again... or maybe I shouldn't. I would appreciate any feedback given.

Thanks.

You were not "scammed". Tech sold you condenser fan motor and capacitor. That is the small capacitor you mention. Three hundred is about what I charge. There are many companies in my area that charge 400-500 for the same repair.

The pictures are too small. Also, since my previous posts regarding compressors, capacitors, and hard starts were deleted, I can only assume this is an area we cannot discuss.

Good luck.

If your condenser fan motor and fan capacitor were replaced as Jim said is not a bad price. It's standard to replace the capacitor when you replace the motor...at least I would anyway.
The components in the control box appear to be Compressor start capacitor on the bottom (big black tube thingy) with the fan capacitor to the left next to it and has electrical tape protecting the terminals. The black control in the middle is the compressor/fan contactor which is what you may have heard clicking. Right above that appears to be the compressor run capacitor terminals with the body hanging down below the box. And in the left upper corner is the compressor start relay (potential type)
You should have 220VAC on the line side of the contactor (right side) and when the contactor is energized via the little yellow and looks like orange or red wires (24v), you should have 220 on the load side (left) of the contactor. If you have these voltages and the compressor won't run but the fan runs, IMO you need to call a service person because any further replacing of components without testing them would be guessing. But that's just my opinion.:)

Also, since my previous posts regarding compressors, capacitors, and hard starts were deleted, I can only assume this is an area we cannot discuss.

Good luck.

I believe you are referring to my post a while back about that rooftop unit. It was presumed the unit was part of a 'commercial' set up. I believe a moderator determined that commercial work is beyond the scope and legality of DIY self repair. However, it was subsequently learned that what that unit was was really a home-type unit, and a new thread was started discussing/continuing some of the very stuff, and it was allowed. So again, briefly, I think what was deleted was on account of discussion regarding commercial application.

I believe you are referring to my post a while back about that rooftop unit. It was presumed the unit was part of a 'commercial' set up. I believe a moderator determined that commercial work is beyond the scope and legality of DIY self repair. However, it was subsequently learned that what that unit was was really a home-type unit, and a new thread was started discussing/continuing some of the very stuff, and it was allowed. So again, briefly, I think what was deleted was on account of discussion regarding commercial application.
Today 08:12 AM

OK, I understand.

I think the problem lies in either the run capacitor (for the compressor) or the hard start. Cheapest way out (without a meter and capacitor tester) is to just replace both. I would check compressor connections as well.

Those Rheem/Ruud units are easy to work on. The compressor looks like a Copeland scroll. I doubt it is bad.

First of all you need to shut of the power to your outdoor unit the compressor is overheated and out on thermal overload and needs time to cool down, while it is cooling you need to check the wiring from the terminals under the square black plastic cover on the side of the compressor all the way to the contactor then if you like you can replace both capacitors inside the control box and the unit will probably start you might also want to take the cover off your contactor (the square clicking box) to see if they are black and pitted if so then replace it