After paying $580.00 to have a "$400.00" can of AC sealer added to a 5 ton AC unit that has a slow leak, I learned that I can buy a can of the stuff plus a can of EasyDry as well as equipment to add the sealant for $112.00. Since discovering I was gouged, and not witnessing if the sealer was in fact added (why would an avaricious person be honest?), I'm thinking about buying the "Nu-Calgon A/C EasySeal 2+1 Display Pack" and adding the sealer myself.

But firstly I would like to know if it's OK to add the can in case the the AC guy actually did ad the one he showed me? In such case would two cans in a 5 ton unit cause any problems?

 

Welcome to the forums.

My personal policy is to never use system sealers.

The sealant can clog the expansion valve as well as clog in the compressor.
I would not recommend a second application of sealer if there is already one installed.

Did the company attempt to find the leak ?

 

I remember my dad used to use those fix-a-flat sealers on his cars. He stopped after a mechanic showed him all of the rust and crud that built up inside the wheel. I see it the same way. You shouldn't add something to contaminate the system. You should find the leak and fix it.

Also, I don't understand how this stuff works but isn't it more likely that the filter/dryer will clog before a leak is fixed?

 

As mentioned, never use a sealer in a closed AC system.

 

Most of these sealers react to air, or the atmosphere in general. The major problems come when there are noncondensables within the refrigeration system, which is all to common due to poor evacuation procedures.
Noncondensables within the system cause the leak seal to harden within the system, which destroys it.
I'd heavily suggest finding the leak and fixing it conventionally. The only systems we even offer leak seal on are old junk equipment that nobody will care about if it's destroyed or not.

 

The idea of a "sealer" for a refrigeration system is ridiculous.
It is a sign of an incompetent service person who would rather pick up some quick cash and move on to the next one.

The only true sealer for a refrigeration system is a torch and brazing rod or a replacement component.

 

The company I hired is large (The D...W... Corp. in Pascoe County) and was recommended to me by a friend, so I trusted the "qualified" technician's recommendation to add the $400 can of EasySeal. I see now that the only way to determine if someone is qualified is to be knowledgeable yourself, which would negate the need for a service tech.

An EasySeal kit for $112 comes with the brass fitting and hose to inject the stuff, along with a can of EasyDry, which is required as a preparant. So I was ripped off for more than I thought. An added insult is the preparant EasyDry was not used.

I don't doubt the advice given here is valuable. I'm just wondering about the reports I've read where folks have used sealant and enjoyed trouble-free air-conditioning for many years. Were they just lucky?

 

As I said before, it all depends on what's in the system when it's added.
If the circuit is clean and dry then your ok. Have a little moisture or air floating around and your taking chances.
I wouldn't use that stuff on my own system. And if I wouldn't use it, I can't suggest it to customers. There are better ways to fix leaks.
I wouldn't be so quick to say you were ripped off. Things don't cost the same from a company as they do on the internet.

 

And where did all these great reviews come from, oh yea, the internet so they must be true!

 

If that sealer fixed your problem, then you are not ripped off. There is still a small chance (less then 10%) the sealer will fix the leak. Most of the time sealer creates more problems, may be you are the lucky one.

 

To marq1. Yes, the Internet is where I read positive reports about the sealant, which I understand may cause bigger problems. If the rip-off tech actually did add the sealer, and it did cause harm, would not the symptoms of the harm be manifested by now? He must have added freon at least, for the unit is still blowing cold air.

If my unit is fixed, the criminal behavior of deceit for $$$ does not constitute respect. You are saying that if you were tricked into paying, say, a mechanic a fee that amounted to a 300% profit for him, it was worth it. How about 600% or 1,000%. When would the deception and gouging make the work "worth it"?

Finally--while I'm on my soapbox--if reading stuff on the Internet is unreliable, why are we at this forum?

 

You will find that service techs who work closely with and to the standards of equipment manufacturers do not accept the fuzzy logic and testimonials attached to these products.

There are many formulations for leak stopping products, some having less of a negative impact on systems than others.
On what information would you base an informed opinion on which one to use?

The only seemingly solid information on these products comes either from their makers or companies that sell them and testimonials from service people that use them.
You will be hard pressed to find equipment makers that endorse their use.
Manufacturers of refrigeration equipment do have a vested interest in that they are obligated to their customers during the warranty period and do not want the negative consequences of additive use to tarnish their reputation.

The whole premise to using leak sealers is that the tech is either unwilling or unable to do what is really required and that is to find and fix a leak.
By not doing so they are able to sell a controversial product at a ridiculously high price along with the cost of refrigerant and have no real trade skills to do so.

From the perspective of many trades people the information out there on this is more belief than fact based and if you believe it to be true then maybe it is.

 

There is an answer on the internet to support anyone's claim, story or idea.
If you called a tech, he came and fixed your unit, and you paid the bill, and the unit continues to work, why are we even having this conversation?
As I said, things from a contractor do not cost what you see them for on the internet.
There are many other costs involved with the business that must be paid. It's very expensive to run any business, especially hvac.
Our fuel bill alone last month was $16,000 to keep the trucks running.

 

I don't believe leak sealants work at all. I have seen them cause trouble to compressors and other AC components. I think the only time sealants may seem to work, is some companies put them in on every call where they have to add freon. So, if the system only has a very small leak to begin with the sealant might seem like it helped. Garbage from what I've seen.

 

It is not just that the immediate leak stopping ability of these products is in question.

In many cases the leak could be small enough that it could take some time to continue to leak and the leak sealer did nothing but trigger another service call for low refrigerant down the road.
These products could also damage the system to where for the short term gain of a presumably cheap service call system's life could be considerably shortened.

Admittedly some leaks are difficult to locate but the reliance on a quick fix makes poor workmanship an easy sell.

 

I posted not to promote the use of the product, but because the OP has himself convinced he got ripped off when his unit is cooling right now.
As I said before we don't even offer it on anything besides old junk that nobody cares about.
I've had tools ruined by leak stop products before. And I don't even carry any on the truck or offer its use to customers.

 

I'm not as knowledgeable about air-conditioners as the folks that kindly responded to my post. As I see it, if the licensed tech were competent and honest, he would have found and repaired the leak instead of focusing on making a quick 400%-500% profit and putting my AC system at risk for the problems described herein. BTW, nobody answered my question, when does a profit margin become immoral? 100%? 500%? 1000%?

I understand that businesses must make a profit. But by what means? Lying? Some professions are reputed to be dishonest for a good reason, like used car salesmen, politicians and lawyers. Probably the worst are the pharmaceuticals. It costs the same amount of $ to develop an anxiolytic as it does to develop a cancer drug. The former is sold at less than $40/month; the latter $10,000 to $20,000/month because the customer has no option with all the oncologists exploiting the vulnerable.

AC companies also have a monopoly as we cannot buy refrigerant, so they can charge whatever they want. Fair enough, I say. Just don't lie and use scare tactics.

I guess I'm outdated, believing but we should treat others as we would want to be treated.

 

In this case "buyer beware" would be an appropriate way to protect yourself.
Whoever you hire should after paying a reasonable service fee be able to provide a written estimate.
An estimate for repair costs is just as appropriate as for any other type service provided to a homeowner.

You are suggesting a profit margin that you paid on the leak sealer but seem to be basing it on the total invoice cost and seemingly have not adjusted this to account for labor and other costs.

The problem here is that you may have been screwed by an incompetent and a less than honest service tech but questioning legitimate business profit margins under these circumstances is like questioning the morals of an armed bandit.

You should really do a refresh on this whole matter by forgetting the past and starting over with a new service company with the request that they locate and find the leak and the written estimate to do so.

 

Good point. Thanks. I will consult Angie's list or The BBB next time, before hiring anyone.

 

Checking with friends, family, neighbors and co-workers is also helpful.