"ransley" wrote in message
...
My central AC a 1996 Lennox 3 ton stopped blowing air yesterday, I
looked at the air handler coil and it was frozen, filter is new and a
4" so I let it thaw and ran it without the filter thinking added
airflow would help. In about 40 minutes it froze again. Airflow
unfrozen hasnt changed, its the same out the vents as always so I dont
think the blower is bad or any restrictions. When an old unit leaks
freon is that usualy the end of life of the compressor or air handler,
is it often possible or easy to find and fix a leak without spending
alot. I will call a tech today and I hope the leak is small enough
that it will last the year but a few days ago it was fine. Will I
damage anything running it low on freon for about 30 minute cycles
till it starts to freeze and let it thaw, a bit of cool air still
comes out.

That is a classic symptom of 1) Dirty filter, reduced airflow, 2) low Freon.
I think you eliminated #1.

If it has never been filled before a charge should at least last the rest of
the summer and maybe longer. The units continue to work as the level of
Freon drops and then all of a sudden they cross the threshold. Of course if
you sprang a big leak it might not last a week.

Most likely it has failed at the evap coil. The bad news is that new
replacement evap coils are no longer legally sold so you get screwed into
buying a whole new system. Who knows, you might get lucky and it is leaking
at a screwed connection.

Your call, but this late in the season I would gas up and gamble. I did
that last year in July and made it all the way mid-May of this year. $175
service call and gas bought me a year.

Running as is uses more juice for the same cool but otherwise causes no
problems since you have to replace it all anyway. Setting the fan for
continuous run will add to your comfort level.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com